Fourth Graders Observe the Convergence of Art and Science

Fourth grade artists traveled to the Conservatory of Flowers last week to explore the work of American artist Georgia O’Keefe, who is best known for her large close-up studies of flowers and plants. “The fourth grade art curriculum focuses on the intersection of science and art,” explains art teacher Cathy Withrington. This field trip also helped the fourth graders hone their observational drawing. "Learning how to observe things closely is an important skill for an artist or scientist." Working in groups, students photographed and sketched the various flowers they saw, which, says Ms. Withrington, "will be used to inform our classroom work as we begin an experimental project. This field trip really allows the students to look much more closely at flowers in person—the shapes, colors, and textures of the flowers—and observe the convergence of art and science.” MORE PHOTOS