Students at Stephens Elementary School in Shady Shores are sharing opinions about art thanks to a new blog on the school’s Web site.

Stacy Sturgell, who has been a teacher for nearly a decade, started the Stephens Art Blog to expose students to technology and to give them a chance to share their thoughts with each other about art.

“Talking about art is as important as the art itself,” Sturgell said. “Kids are so excited about art, and they rarely have the opportunity to speak their opinions and share what they think without some fear of reprimand. It is important that kids learn that their ideas are important, too. The blog allows them to be expressive about the art while being exposed to something they may not see otherwise.”

DRC/Al Key

Stephens Elementary School art teacher Stacy Sturgell launched an art blog on the Denton school district Web site. Each month, students are invited to study a piece of art posted on the blog and answer questions about it.

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Sturgell’s monthly art blog topics are selected from Oxide Gallery, a downtown Denton gallery that features work by local artists. Sturgell picks pieces from the gallery’s monthly show.

This month it’s a photograph called Open Doors by Devin McCullough, part of the gallery’s “Autos and Antiques” exhibit. It has generated nearly 50 comments.

“We were just thrilled,” owner Warren Hooper said about his gallery’s selection for the project. “I thought it was great. I was thrilled to see someone do an art blog. I thought it was creative of her to feed off of our monthly shows.”

Hooper thinks the blog is good for both his artists and the students who participate.

“They get to see a wider view of other people’s thoughts and opinions — how everyone sees [art] differently depending on who is looking at it,” Hooper said. “This teaches them to express [opinions]. There is no right or wrong — [the blog] encourages the students to think more. It teaches you how to look at life differently — that there is more than one view and that helps you develop your own real opinions.”

Teacher and student response at the school has been positive. Students can blog during breaks or after class work is complete. Sturgell requires her fourth- and fifth-graders to blog once a month, answering posted questions related to the work. She said blog comments range from very funny to extremely serious.

“The students really love the blog,” Sturgell said. “They like the idea of their opinion being out there on the Web for all to see. They also think it’s so cool that the artists themselves have the opportunity to reply or piggyback the comments they’ve left about the work. Most of them can’t wait to see what the next piece will be.”

LORI FORGAY can be reached at 940-566-6845. Her e-mail address is lforgay@dentonrc.com.

Courtesy photo

Open Doors

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ART COMMENTARY

Stephens Elementary School students commented on artist Devin McCullough’s photograph Open Doors on the school’s new art blog. Art teacher Stacy Sturgell asked: “What are your thoughts on this photograph?” and “What do you think the car would be saying if it could speak?” Answers ranged from funny to serious:

“i think this picture is really creative because it has a lot of mixed colors and this picture speaks to me by saying ‘Take me away and brush me off’. That’s how the picture speaks to me.” — Sara Hassoun, fourth grade

“I like it because it is different and it is something you don’t see every day. If the car could speak I think it would be saying, “Close my doors! There are misquitos and flys getting in to me!” — Sydney Lovick, fourth grade

“I think he will say ouch i shouldn’t have been speeding ouch!!!” — Tyrone Nash

ON THE WEB

Stephens Art Blog: www.dentonisd.org/512125122104136/site