Private Collection of Fine Art Makes Its Way to Idalou Elementary School
The Idalou Beacon

 

Idalou Elementary 4th graders recently attended a special program featuring Christian Thomas Lee, a concert classical guitarist and founder of The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art. The mission of The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art is to serve in a collaborative process, with select schools and professional arts organizations, in integrating the fine arts into the classroom setting for the educational and inspirational benefit of children.

It is through these collaborations that the application of Art in Schools will provide opportunity to children of all ages the joy of viewing, studying, and appreciating priceless works of art and music, that they may otherwise never see or hear, resulting in a unique avenue if creativity and inspiration.

Art in Schools is an idea born out of the realization and concern that so many of today's youth do not have access (by and large) to the museums and great music.

Mr. Lee was introduced by Dr. Sam Ayers, the West Texas Core Knowledge coordinator. Both Dr. Ayers and Lee were welcomed by Principal Southern Bush.

Following an art presentation, Christian greets a young, aspiring, artist.

 

A Royal Birth Announcement

1821, signed by King Ferdinand VII of Spain, paper quarterfoil seal and red wax seal intact. Acquired from Sotheby's, lot no: 1YJG, April 4, 2000. The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art.
After a short concert on the guitar, Lee displayed and discussed several pieces from his impressive private collection of fine art. His personal art collection includes works by Picasso, Fabergé, Pasqualini and very important American and European historic documents. Students were able to view some of his extensive collection, a few of which included an ostrich egg that contained an intricate Nativity scene.

Lee pointed out that art is much like a book and must be "read" and understood in order to have meaning. Also shown was a piece by Pablo Picasso, 1954, Pour Bernard, a fun piece and good example of cubism and the inner workings of Picasso's brilliant mind. Another piece by Peter Carl Fabergé, 1908, jeweler to the Imperial Court of Russia, was an amazing silver-gilt tea glass spoon and then the Imperial Rose Bud Egg, from the House of Fabergé.

Next was a painting by Clyde Leon Keller, 1930, Hills of Lavender, a wonderful example of impressionism specific to the California school. He also showed the Death Mask from 1832 of Sir Walter Scott. The program was concluded with music on the guitar, including works by Beethoven, Mozart and others.

This special program was provided through the Core Knowledge grant funds.

 

The Core Knowledge Foundation conducts research on curricula, develops books and other materials for parents and teachers, offers workshops for teachers, and serves as the hub of a growing network of Core Knowledge schools.

Core Knowledge is an idea that for the sake of academic excellence, greater fairness, and higher literacy, elementary and middle schools need a solid, specific, shared core curriculum in order to help children establish strong foundations of knowledge, grade by grade.

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