This week's E-connection highlights 2020 Vision elements of creativity, innovation, collaboration and communication.

The Language of Art

When Spanish 3 students in the class of 2011 at Mercer Island High school were in 8th grade at Islander Middle School, they presented a gift to the school in the form of a mural of their individual handprints created with the help of artist-in-residence José Orantes. So it was with a certain sense of “coming home again” that these same students viewed the work of their former teacher and mentor at a special show at the Community Center at Mercerview. José Orantes, along with fellow artist-in-residence Blanca Santander, recently had a show of their work inspired by the bold color and energy of Guatemalan and Peruvian cultures.

Artists Blanca Santander and José Orantes
stand before their work at the special art show.

“José and Blanca have been a part of our study of Spanish since we were in middle school,” said senior Lauren Roth. ‘When we were in 8th grade we wanted to create something special to give to our school so we asked José to help us. He came up with the idea of a three-panel mural painted with the “Gator” theme. Then, every student in the class did their own handprint to match the colors and theme.”

These same students worked with José last year at the high school painting small panels that would again be a part of a whole. “We learned about color, line, space – all the elements of art in Spanish,” said Lauren. “We were amazed when the parts became a whole painting by Frida Kahlo. José and Blanca have taught us that when you understand the art of a culture, you see much more than you ever could by just reading about it.”

The blending of art and world language has been a part of the curriculum at both IMS and Mercer Island High School for some time, but with the Realidades texts adopted in the past few years, the instruction has become even more intentional. “The language makes more sense when you learn it in context with something concrete like art,” said teacher Jo Ann Hornsten. “José and Blanca involve the students in creating and looking at Hispanic art and culture in a way that allows them to go much deeper into the language. José always speaks to the students in Spanish and when they ask a question in English, he says he doesn’t understand them. They not only learn about art, but they also experience what it is like to be a non-native speaker. We are so grateful to the Mercer Island Schools Foundation and PTAs for bringing these wonderful artists and teachers into our classrooms.”

MIHS students showed interest in the works of art
inspired by Guatemalan and Peruvian cultures.

Burt Hovander, who has been teaching Spanish at Mercer Island High School for 35 years said, “We have done more with art in the past two years than I can remember in all my years here. I credit my fellow teachers Jo Ann, Roy (Newton) and Evelyn (Jimenez) for leading the way. I think it is valuable and important for our students to learn in different ways. After all, life is about exploration and so is learning.”

Check out the MISD Employee Spotlight, a blog that highlights individual members of the Mercer Island School District staff.

For more information about current school district topics, visit the Q/A section of Dr. Plano's website.

2010-2011 E-Connections stories:

Welcome back to school--on the bus!

2009-2010 E-Connection stories

2008-2009 E-Connection stories

2007-2008 E-Connection stories