(Art) Mission Accomplished
Art Sent to One Soldier Ends Up Reaching Out to the U.S. Armed Forces in Afghanistan
by Mrs. Church
March 15, 2010
You are not alone. We are cheering for you. I hope you’re a Steelers fan. Thank you. These messages were made by fifth graders in their artworks destined for American troops in Afghanistan. The lesson was the culmination of a unit on heroes in art. This is the second year Newbury artists have sent artwork overseas to troops. In the winter of 2008, we sent a large package to SSgt. Brian Buckwalter who at the time was deployed in Afghanistan. Now home in Virginia, Buckwalter, Mrs. Church’s cousin, connected us to another soldier SSgt. Alisha Rose still deployed. Somewhere along the line, Rose shared Newbury’s artwork with the editors of Freedom Watch Afghanistan magazine. This is a magazine that many American troops receive while stationed in Afghanistan. The magazine editors loved the work so much they dedicated an entire page to the work of Newbury's artists.
In fourth grade while studying the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Newbury art students heard a quote from the designer Maya Lin about the once controversial war memorial. She stated, “It’s about the people, not the politics.” Newbury’s artworks were meant to focus on the people, the everyday Americans, who chose a dangerous and at times heroic career. Students were asked to empathize with these Americans about the costs of being a soldier: the things they would miss from home and what may keep their spirits high. Students decided on their own image and message. Along with the meeting Ohio Academic Content Standards, students learned about the powerful connection art can create between people. The students were thrilled to be able to reach so many through Freedom Watch Afghanistan magazine.
You can find the pdf file of this magazine at http://www.cjtf101.com/archived-mainmenu-253.html. Newbury students’ page is 19 in the file. A Google search of Freedom Watch Afghanistan magazine will also bring up the website. The images are in the March 2010 issue.
