Sullins Academy Middle School Art Intensive Explores Cultural Diversity
Sullins Academy Middle School students are completing a six-week course of study with local artist Rabia Rao. Mrs. Rao is from Islamabad, Pakistan where she graduated in Fine Art and Psychology from the Lahore School. Rao’s instruction has introduced the students to palette painting techniques and they have created nature inspired artwork.
The students have found learning the new technique fascinating. Painting with a palette knife produces a very different result than painting with a brush. Painting knives are excellent for producing a range of effects, from textured impasto work to sweeping areas of flat color. The colors leap from the canvas.
Along with learning a new painting technique, Jill Wishon, Sullins Academy Art and Music Teacher, is using this opportunity to introduce the concept of pluralism in art to students. During the final class this Friday from 8:00-9:30 a.m., Wishon will be engaging students in a roundtable conversation with Rao to promote cross-cultural understanding through the identification of similarities; while recognizing, acknowledging and celebrating cultural diversity both in art and within our school.
