Student artists hone their craft at ECC

Kimberly Hatton, the art teacher at the Early Childhood Center in Johnston, is joined by students Molly McGrillis, Deeani Ratchford, Jake McCaffrey and Jordan Rivera in front of a “The Cat in the Hat” themed installation.

Dakota Rickett, 3, shows off her artwork to her older sister Cierra Rickett during Friday night’s Family Art Night in Johnston.

Sun Rise Photos

Annabella Brennan holds a colorful piece of art she produced especially for her parents, Jill and George Brennan.

The walls at the Early Childhood Center are covered in student creations.

Posted Thursday, April 11, 2013 2:50 pm

Pete Fontaine

Works of art often tell stories or simply express a person’s feeling. Such was the case Friday evening inside the Early Childhood Center, where corridor walls were filled with the multi-colored works of “mini Pablo Picassos and Claude Monets.”

The Family Art Night featured various works of art made by kindergarten and pre-K students, as well as some interactive tables for families to enjoy.

“We wanted to showcase student artwork for children at the ECC and Graniteville Pre-school,” said Kimberly Hatton, an art teacher who serves both facilities. “We planned theme art projects based upon popular children’s books and seasonal events. Tonight was special.”

Six-year-old Anthony McIntyre kept his focus simple, creating a fire truck from red construction paper while his mother, Merika Guillet, looked on. Other works depicted scenes from “The Cat in The Hat,” “Corduroy the Bear” and other children’s favorites.

“We celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday,” Hatton said. “We read a different Dr. Seuss book to each class and the students do a special project based upon that particular book.”

Amy Andrews, chairperson for ECC’s Parent-Teacher Organization, helped coordinate the event, where Hatton set up interactive stations so students could teach their parents and grandparents about what they’re learning in school.

“These projects are not only pleasing but they’re also meaningful and educational for the kindergarten and pre-school students,” Hatton said.

Hatton estimated that at least 100 students and upwards of 200 adults attended the event, made possible by the artwork of 275 Johnston children from the Early Childhood Center and Graniteville School.

“See these corridors? We’re going to turn these walls into artwork of a jungle,” Hatton said.

Hatton and school officials are planning for a visit from the Southwick Animal Farm that’s located in Mendon, Mass. Her students will have already done the jungle artwork project that will coincide with the Monday, April 29 visit.

“We received funding to bring the zoo here from the Feinstein Foundation,” Hatton said. “But if it wasn’t for [special education teacher] Kerri Autiello that wouldn’t be happening.”

Through another stroke of creativity, students at the ECC brought in canned goods that were then donated to the Feinstein Foundation.