BeltLine Bears and Atlanta Progressive School

November 10, 2011

Yesterday was a couple of firsts for me; first Sharpie Slam drawing competition and first time speaking to school children. I was asked to visit Atlanta Progressive School and talk to the children about The BeltLine Bears. I had questions as to what I would tell them. I was not really sure of how to speak to a kids classroom. Then I realized they were very excited about what I had done and my bear paintings so I knew I could just talk about what I did and my thoughts while I was working.

I showed up and the first thing I saw was a crayon bear drawing taped to the front door. I was let in and all the way to the classroom I saw bears along the walls and door frames. I did not see it until I left but they had a welcome sign out, just for me.

I entered the room and they were very excited. We sat in a circle on the floor and the kids asked a list of questions for me. Kids are funny. Instead of listening they just asked what they wanted to know and yelled a lot. I tried my best to answer. Some children stared as I talked, some kids yelled out. I talked for a little bit and told them about power sprayers, Lowe’s,  how tall the wall was and how did i get the paint. Then I had a gave a painting demonstration.

I took a couple canvases I had prepped and showed them the bear makin’ basics. I talked them through it; draw the circle and then ears and then eyes, nose and mouth. Simple! There were a couple children in the class that could really draw well. One little girl could draw better than most adults. After I showed them how to paint bears I went and showed the class next door. They tried to scare me by hiding and then yelling when I walked in. I wasn’t scared. I aint’ scared of no kids!

Before I left I went back to the class where I gave the talk. Now they were painting on canvas. The bears were painted and some of them were similar to mine. Then the kids became crazy finger-painters and the whole canvas turned into a big gray blue green blob.

It was a great experience for me. I was blown away when I found out they had been reading from my blog and had made a little book of The BeltLine Bear entries. I was very honored they wanted me to visit. Everything went really well and I told them if they wanted to visit the mural wall of bears I would meet them there. I left them with a cardboard bear head, the demo-paintings and a “stomp-light bears” coloring sheet. It was a good morning.

Thanks again to Ms. Jennifer and the kids at Atlanta Progressive School.

– kyle


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