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Creativity and Diversity

October 2, 2020 | Clara Buckley

In worship we are telling the story of Creation, every day unveiling a little more of the universe. In class we reflect on God’s creation in collage and paint.

Using the words of our worship rhyme:

And God said, “Let there be light.”

We create individually and collaboratively. At collage two children work together on a class project. We are learning new art techniques; stippling paint, tearing paper, snipping fringe. And new procedures; getting the right amount of paint on a brush, putting the cap back on our gluestick.

And God said, “Let there be seas. Let there be sky.”

There is a structure about how to use the materials, but the design process tends to be very open-ended. Even if the teacher presents a theme, such as light or water, the child creates the composition in a way that is pleasing to him or her. Each child’s work is valued. This was particularly true in our two day study of land and plants. Everyone’s painting looks so different.

And God said, “Let there be land. Let it be green.”

And God said, “Let there be sun, and moon, and stars.”

And God said, “Let there be fish, let there be birds.”

We delight in the diversity of God’s creativity. God didn’t make just one kind of rock. God made limestone, granite, sand, clay, and diamonds. God didn’t make just one type of plant. God made different color, shape, and sizes of plants, leaves, seeds, flowers, and fruits. God didn’t make just one type of fish. God made fish as big as our classroom, as tiny as a fingernail, and all colors of the rainbow.

Clara Buckley

Preschool Art Specialist; Middle School Art

Clara Buckley’s teaching spans the ages of Mustard Seed School, from the youngest students in the preschool to students in the graduating class. She’s found many similarities between teaching three-year-olds and thirteen-year-olds!

As an art teacher who never enjoyed drawing, Ms Buckley’s hope is that each child she teaches discovers a way to create art that they enjoy, whether it be sculpture, printing, textiles, architectural drawing, or collage.

Ms. Buckley loves living in Jersey City, a place whose diversity and welcome for immigrants reflects her own family experience. When planning future travel destinations, art, food, and time with family are featured items on her list.

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