In May–June, fifth graders at East End Community School participated in a Side x Side program that was a collaboration between teaching artists Leah Cross and Meghan Scribner and art teacher Melissa Maher. During the program, students learned about public murals, composition, and design. Using handmade collage paper, they created visual components to convey empowerment,

At the end of the school year, fifth graders at the East End Community School wrapped up a Side x Side program integrating a poetry and figurative language unit with self-portrait drawing and collage. Led by teaching artists Leah Cross and Meghan Scribner, students created identity flags that represent qualities and characteristics they see in

Third graders at Ocean Avenue Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program led by teaching artist Gretchen Berg that integrated a science unit on extreme weather with physical theater. Students learned to use physical theater to tell global stories about the science and mythology of extreme weather and its impact on the

Second graders at Reiche Community School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program that integrated a science unit on pollinators of Maine with papier-mâché sculpture. Led by teaching artist Nance Parker, students designed, built, and painted papier-mâché pollinator bugs and birds to share with their classmates.

Kindergartners in Maestra Mejia’s Spanish emersion class at Lyseth Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program that integrated a science unit on the human body and the five senses with drawing, painting, and bookmaking. Led by teaching artist Meghan Scribner, students began by using wax resist and watercolor to create covers for their books.

We are thrilled to be the recipient of a $5000 grant from the Frances Hollis Brain Foundation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to bring collaborative arts-integrated projects that improve academics, social awareness, and classroom and community health and wellness to elementary school students and teachers in the Portland public schools.

Fourth graders in Ms. Keleher’s and Ms. Ladero’s classes at Lyseth Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program integrating a science and literacy unit on owls with mixed media bookmaking. After studying owls in Maine including the Great Horned, Barred, Saw-Whet, and Snowy owls, students focused on the adaptations that allow owls to survive: hearing,

Third graders at Ocean Avenue Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program led by teaching artist Gretchen Berg that integrated a science unit on extreme weather with physical theater. Students learned to use physical theater to tell global stories about the science and mythology of extreme weather and its impact on the

Fourth graders at Lyseth Elementary School recently wrapped up a Side x Side program integrating a science and literacy unit on Maine owls with mixed media bookmaking. Led by teaching artist Jill Osgood, students learned observational journaling, sketching from life, and how to illustrate owl body parts and adaptations. They then created a large-format single