Haring in The House!

Keith Haring 

The kindergarten cap program just finished studying mural artist Keith Haring and made these large scale paintings in response to his work.  First, we learned how when Haring was younger, he loved to watch his dad draw cartoons.  Once he got older, he moved to New York City to study art, and started showing up in subway stations drawing cartoon like characters on the empty advertisement black boards.   

Keith Haring and his artwork in a NYC subway. 

We discussed why someone would want to make art outside or in public areas versus for a Museum.  Students concluded that it cost money to go to a Museum and art that was public could be   enjoyed by EVERYONE, rich or poor.  Before starting our own public mural, we examined a few paintings by Haring and tried to pose our bodies in similar positions showing both emotion and movement, without using our faces.  Finally, we took turns tracing our silhouettes and painted the inside with bright colors to pay homage to Keith Haring, who often worked collaboratively with schools and children to create public art.  I got this great idea as well as many others from a colleagues who has a wonderful art blog definitely worth checking out In The Studio.  

            Students had a blast trying to recreate a Keith Haring painting with their bodies.

Students had fun tracing their bodies in poses that showed movement or emotion.

Mural 1 in Cafeteria.

Mural 2 in Main Hallway.