By Sara Johnson, Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art: February 27, 2024 – Great Falls, Mt
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art (The Square) recently wrapped up its annual 3rd-Grade Tours for the 2023/2024 school year. 771 3rd-Graders from the Great Falls Public School District visited The Square between November 2023 and February 2024. Visits included a 45-minute tour of current and permanent art exhibitions and a 45-minute corresponding art activity in the museum’s Education Department.
Tours were led by seven volunteer Docents, The Square’s Director of Education, and the Education Assistant. This year’s students made collages and paper houses inspired by Robert Harrison’s exhibition Surface Dreams & Superstructures. Many students made winter counts (pictorial calendars) or other mixed media paintings or textiles inspired by works from Louis Still Smoking and John Isaiah Pepion in the WITHIN exhibition.
Annual 3rd-Grade tours are part of The Square’s Free Art Programs, over 30 years running. With limited art education in K-6 classes, these tours are often the initial introduction to contemporary art for many students.
“The experience of seeing and discussing artwork techniques and meanings opens new pathways of thought by broadening the perspective of self and the world, in addition to gaining critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” said Ellie Weber, Director of Education.
The Square is always seeking new Docents. Interested community members can contact the Director of Education at ellie@the-square.org. Docents meet with the Director of Education and Curator of Exhibitions & Collections to tour current exhibitions, discuss current topics, brainstorm corresponding projects, and share stories from the previous year. All prospective Docents will shadow current Docents to experience different methods of guiding tours, discussion, and projects.
About Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art (The Square) is north-central Montana’s only contemporary art museum. Founded in 1977 and located in Great Falls, Montana, the museum resides in and stewards the original 1896 building of the historic Central High School. The Square is known for exhibitions that feature intriguing outsider and contemporary living artists in conjunction with exciting exhibition programs and studio art classes to the community.
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is located at 1400 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana. Visitor hours: Tuesday 10am to 9pm, Wednesday – Friday 10am to 5pm, and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Closed on select holidays. Admission is FREE for the public. Visit www.the-square.org or call 406.727.8255 for further information.
Author: Staff
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