Mariemont Elementary School students explore the magic of storytelling through art at the Crocker Art Museum’s Art Ark

Students at Mariemont Elementary School stepped into the magical and colorful world of the Art Ark following its installation on campus during the last week of February.

The Art Ark, presented by the Crocker Art Museum, is a mobile education center that allows students to explore and celebrate art. 

Art exhibitions in the Art Ark are modified every few years, offering a presentation of diverse themes to students. Mariemont students were immersed in the “American Narratives” installation, learning about art made by North American artists, including Sacramento region artists. 

Students engaged in a variety of hands-on activities that allowed them to build visual art and storytelling skills. There was excitement and eagerness to participate in the different stations: cozy reading corner, stencils, drawing and coloring, Magna-Tiles and paper chains. 

Third-grader Enzo Ingolia expressed how the experience at the Art Ark enhanced his learning experience.

“You can take shapes and turn them into landscapes,” shared Ingolia. “It’s really cool and interesting.”

While students crafted their art at the stations, they were also encouraged to participate in conversations about the art mounted in the Art Ark. Staff from the Crocker Art Museum brought magic to the experience by explaining the stories told through the art displayed. 

“There are many different stories and elements of what the kids are exposed to on the Art Ark,” shared Crocker Art Museum’s Director of Marketing and Communications Kat Haro. “It is really looking at the stories behind each of the artists, whether that is a family experience of making empanadas together like Carmen Lomas Garza or Fantastical Walruses from Maija Peeples-Bright.” 

Students had the opportunity to color a walrus to match the art by Maija Peeples-Bright or step into the world of Carmen Lomas Garza by practicing with clay, allowing them to craft their own story with art inspired by the featured artists. 

Staff found the partnership with Crocker Art Museum an enriching experience for their students. “They love art,” said third-grade teacher Elaine Ortiz. “I’m very inspired by all the responses to the different artwork.”

Teachers at Mariemont are hopeful that students will take away from this experience that learning can happen anywhere.

“We are inside of a big truck, they’re learning and there are rooms and places for them to go,” shared Ortiz. 

The Art Ark was at Mariemont from Feb. 25 to March 5, providing all students of all grade levels the opportunity to participate. Teachers were assigned timeslots for their classes to visit the mobile art center throughout the school day.

As students wrapped up their creations, they were invited to donate their art to be featured in the Art Ark for others to see. This unforgettable experience was further incentivized as the students received a family pass for Crocker Art Museum.

“One of the most important elements of the Art Ark is giving students the free family pass because we want them to come back to the museum,” said Haro. “That is going to instill a love of arts for the rest of their lives by having those cultural experiences with their family at an early age.”