Little artists exhibit work in sophisticated art show

Alefbet Preschool to host opening night event on March 31.

The art exhibit at the Beth Shalom Synagogue on March 31 will be just like most opening nights, complete with wine, hors d’oeuvres and a solo cellist playing classical background music. The main difference will be the art itself: It has all been produced by tykes at the Alefbet Preschool in Dunwoody.

Each week since the fall, the 3and 4-year-olds have attended a fine arts class that introduces them to master works, offers a touch of art history and gives them the chance to create their own designs. The program is under the direction of visual arts teacher and artist-in-residence Kendra Fabry, who launched the class after offering it as an after-school activity last year. Now she meets with 18 students in small groups during the school day.

“I wanted to bring a unique twist to a kids’ class by making it fine arts based, instead of doing a craft or having the teacher do most of it,” she said. “I designed the course based on the developmental skills of the child. For instance, there’s not a lot of cutting; everything is based on their level.”

A hallmark of the class is what Fabry calls “intentional noticing:” having students look at art masterpieces and answer questions about what they’re seeing.

“They may be looking at Monet’s waterlily garden and see blue and then they create their own artwork loosely based on it,” said Fabry. “They might do a whole painting in blue because of something they’ve noticed on their own and are inspired.”

Being budding artists, the young students often opt for uncomplicated designs, said Fabry. “A 3-yearold might paint the whole paper blue, but they can understand light blue, medium blue, dark blue. By 4, they can make shapes you’d recognize. Through the years, they develop more, but wherever they are, I make sure my hands aren’t touching their artwork.”

The course also includes a weekly newsletter for parents that keeps the discussion around art going at home.

“I introduce the masterpiece we’re looking at and give parents some background about it,” said Fabry. “I also give them talking points about how to discuss the work and tips on how to engage with art with their child. As parents, we’re ingrained to say, ‘Oh, what is it?’ The kid maybe forgot or doesn’t know, but it’s not about the product; it’s about the process. Instead, I encourage parents to say, ‘I noticed you have a lot of yellow at the top. What made you decide to do that? What was the hardest part about doing it?’”

Conversations about art at home and in school are a critical part of the school’s curriculum, said preschool Director Risa Walter.

“Art is such a strong part of our program that we wanted to make it part of our regular day,” she said. “Art is too valuable to leave out. There is so much learning that goes on with art and it captures the children’s attention.”

Each child will get to showcase three or four pieces of their work at the exhibition that’s designed to give them a taste of the artistic life.

“It’s important to set a sophisticated tone and to show kids how professional artists live and work,” said Fabry. “So each kid is keeping a portfolio to show how they’ve grown as artists, and they’re making artists’ statements about their work. ...Just like real artists, they’ll have their own opening to show it off.”

Design Review Board examines renovation

The Dunwoody Design Review Board will review two applications during the meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the CM Conference Room at Dunwoody City Hall, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 250. Both requests are for modifications to the exterior of each business.

The first application is Permit Solutions Inc. on behalf of Regency Centers LLP. The request is to replace the picture window in front of the business located at 5527 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Suite 300.

The second application is a building review of the Suntrust Bank at 5490 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. The structure will be examined for integrity before renovation can begin.

Information: www.dunwoodyga.gov.

UPCOMING

Workday by the Friends of Johns Homestead Park. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Volunteers will remove invasive plants and clean up around the lakes. Snacks, water, gloves and tools will be provided. Park in the parking lot at the end of Stapp Road by the lakes. The park contains the historic Johns Homestead (ca. 1829) and outbuildings and two scenic lakes known as the Twin Brothers Lakes. info@JohnsHomestead.org, JohnsHomesteadPark.org.

Fruit tree/bush adoption program by the Tucker Orchard Guild. $10 for one fruit tree or two blueberry bushes. In exchange, receive a sign with the tree name, your name on it to be placed at your adopted tree/bush, one gallon of spring water in a reusable container, a detailed description about your tree with care instructions and pick the first fruit. TuckerOrchard@gmail.com.