The Art of Australia

The extraordinary number of fires in Australia earlier this year led to a discussion... and a project topic. Students looked up Australia in the world atlas to see where it is on the map. They learned about its resources and geography (it’s a country, a continent and an island!).

 

They watched a news story about the fires, discussed it, and talked about possible solutions. They decided to make their art project center around animals and other creatures found in Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.

Artist-in-residence Elizabeth Reyes told students about the Aboriginal people and dream artists who use stories to pass on knowledge, values and customs. The use of symbols is an alternate way to write down stories of cultural significance, and to preserve Aboriginal culture and tradition.

First, they sketched out their ideas. Some students took inspiration from facts, symbols and other things they learned about the country to use in their art pieces.

Then, the paints came out! Some students worked as a team, and others individually. Each using their new knowledge to tell a story. One group of girls looked up the Aboriginal flag on a computer and decided to incorporate it into their design.

Another team used their background to show two important aspects of the Australian lifestyle: one side to depict the sun and the other representing water. They decided to use different colors on the lizard because lizards can change colors.

Inspiration and creativity flowed!

The tragedy of the fires and its effect on so many animals in Australia led one team to create a background of yellow, orange and red representing the fires, but with a blue sky and stars to show hope. They liked the dot painting of the aboriginal tribes, so used black dots to outline the kangaroo to make it pop against the fiery colors. They were inspired by dream artists and incorporated some symbols representing a parent and a child, 4 women sitting in a circle, kangaroo tracks, moving tracks and finally the sun.

We have compassion for the people and animals of Australia, and enjoy learning about their art and culture!

  

This is Elizabeth Reyes.

She is a wife, a mother, a birder, and a proud Latina.

She is also the Q's resident artist. She is the creative soul who comes up with all the great art projects the children work on.

In addition to art lessons, helping at events and creating the Q's art gallery, Elizabeth is also the visionary behind many of the costumes for the summer show, A Tale of Life.

Fortunately, she has some help with implementation from other instructors.

 

Students also help in all kinds of ways.

 
                                                                                         Including comedic relief! 😄

There's always maximum creativity in Ms. Elizabeth's art room!

It can be a little stressful, but we know it's going to be amazing! So we work, learn, create and have fun together over the summer... while preparing for the big show on August 2nd.

Excited to see how it all comes together?

Join us by purchasing your tickets now at Quality Life Center!

What are we building? Check it out!

Haven't been by the Q lately? Don't worry -- we'll catch you up!

The playground, pavers, and shade structure were carefully removed.

Then the trees, and well, everything else!

Then it was time for the electrical, the plumbing, and the foundation.

The building is being framed.

And walls! We are getting walls.

Keep checking back. We will keep you posted on building progress here!

A Legacy of Dance

“The minute I walked in the dance area and saw kids dancing on hard tile, I knew this was it.” Denny Toll reflects on his first visit to Quality Life Center in 2012.

After his wife passed away in 2010, Denny was looking for a way to honor her. Barbara Toll loved to dance. In college, she studied education and dance.  She worked at Wheeling High School in Illinois where she was a P.E. teacher, a tennis coach and ran a successful dance program called Orchesis, then taught math.

It started with a dance floor. Not just any wood floor, but a beautiful bamboo dance floor.

With mirrors, ballet barres and an audio system, we had the Quality Life Center Dance Studio.

In memory of Barbara Braude Toll.

It doesn’t end there. Denny has facilitated other opportunities and exposures to the children of Quality Life Center. Including trying out and dancing with the Moscow Ballet for The Great Russian Nutcracker.

And most recently, exposing children to the jaw-dropping spectacle of The Lion King.

His wife inspired and encouraged the dreams of her students. Denny is carrying on her legacy. Asked if he is achieving his goal, Denny said it's not about him. "I’m not accomplishing this. They [the kids] are. They are working hard, and hopefully enjoying themselves. I KNOW they can achieve greatness. In dance and in life.”

We couldn't agree more.