Miss Kelli Defends Her Preschool Art Curriculum to Her Principal
She minored in Art History for this very moment
Ms. Frampton, thank you for your surprise pop-in yesterday and your evaluation notes. I see you are concerned that I’m “neglecting to implement a sophisticated art curriculum” and “failing to foster a community of thoughtful creators.”
It’s interesting that you chose to come in just as Brian was having a meltdown, Sara peed in her pants, and I had directed the others to the art table so I could maintain some order while tending to the needy. But never mind all that! I’d like to address what you wrote about the children’s specific pieces, if I may.
You said that Austin “could only draw with a black crayon because Cassie was hoarding the other colors.” But is it not possible that Austin deliberately chose to render his potato people monochromatically? Bleak, untethered figures against a background of nothingness, under a portentous black sun. One can’t help but draw a thread to T. S. Eliot’s “hollow men…leaning together.” Perhaps, Ms. Frampton, the modest palette is meant to reflect our non-knowing of our status in existence.
