Fitchburg Art Museum

FITCHBURG — Fitchburg Art Museum hosted eight social studies teachers from across the district before the start of the school year for a professional development program that aimed to help them integrate the arts into their classes.

Through a partnership with FAM, the K-12 teachers utilized works of art from the museum’s exhibitions and collection for developing world history and American history courses. During the week of professional development, teachers received in-depth content instruction from FAM staff and guest artists, learned and refined student-centered teaching methods, and worked collaboratively with their colleagues to create three lessons inspired by works of art.

At the end of the week the educators had the opportunity to share out the lessons they created and received feedback from their colleagues as well as K-12 Social Studies Director of the Fitchburg Public Schools John Marderosian and Susan Diachisin, FAM Director of Education who also organized the week.

“My goal is to work collaboratively with teachers and other stakeholders to transform classroom instruction and to create a comprehensive K through 12 social studies program that is culturally responsive, challenges students to engage in inquiry, and helps them to create meaning for themselves,” Marderosian said. “Any time we can create interdisciplinary inquiry learning experiences for our students, instruction becomes more relevant and engaging, and the learning sticks.”

The participants left with extremely positive reviews, including FPS teacher Ammie Ouellette.

“The opportunity that we had as teachers at the Fitchburg Art Museum was creative and fun,” she said. “It allowed for many different perspectives on works of art and through the lens of the artist themselves, other teachers, and administrators. It is a wonderful collaboration that teachers in Fitchburg are provided.”

During the current school year, the teachers will implement the lessons they created while being observed by Marderosian along with school and district leaders with the purpose of viewing student-centered teaching strategies in action. The educators will also receive ongoing training and support from Marderosian and FAM staff and in the spring the cohort will participate in a virtual meeting where they will reflect on the implementation of their lessons and help to plan a second year of what is intended to be a multi-year partnership.

FITCHBURG — A new piece of contemporary art is ready to be unveiled Thursday at 5:30 p.m. just outside of The Art Place on Elm.

“PLAYscape” is a collaboration between New England sculptor Roberley Bell, who designed the piece with input from teacher Britt Waseleski and her students during the Fitchburg Art Museum’s after school program at The Art on Elm, the museum’s primary art instruction studio. The after school program is a collaboration between FAM and Fitchburg Public Schools.

Launched in fall 2021, the FAM and FPS after school program started with a total of 20 children in the program. FAM and FPS were able to create an immersive program where attendees have access to supplies, studio space, and professionals in the arts community.

In a press release FAM said it believes this environment has a huge impact on how children learn, and the program reflects FAM’s mission as a catalyst for learning, creativity, and community building. The Art Place on Elm, its after school program, and “PLAYscape” are made possible through the generous support of Gale Simonds Hurd, the Clementi Family Charitable Trust, and the Cathedral Fund.

Working with the students in the after school program proved to be an impactful experience for Bell.

“As an artist working in the public realm, I try to engage the stakeholders and this includes children. They are in fact the long term stakeholder of a project in their neighborhood. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to engage young people on a number of projects. I find when you invite them in to participate, they are curious and keen,” Bell said in a press release. “The students in the FAM after school program were a delight. They were extremely engaged, excited, and enthusiastic — eager to achieve the goals of the project. Each child worked on drawings and clay models, taking the task seriously. At the end of the session each child spoke about their ideas for creating a shared, playful space accommodating seating for everyone.”

Bell also extended his thanks to Waseleski, who had already been working with the students, believing her work allowed them to be “open to engaging, learning and sharing in a productive manner.”

FAM’s Director of Education Susan Diachisin also saw a profound benefit of having the students involved.

“By participating in the FAM/FPS after school program, the students reap the benefits of the museum’s resources such as access to contemporary artists, inspiring exhibitions, and creative learning spaces. Through their weekly visits to the museum the students become more comfortable and realize that FAM is their museum. Our after school program is just one of many ongoing collaborative programs between FAM and the Fitchburg Public Schools that provide educational enrichment for students and faculty, and stimulate their creativity,” Diachisin said.