At The Game Loft we’re working to expose middle school students participating in our I Know ME program to the world of fine art in Maine through a new experiential art program. “I Am Art” encourages youth to learn art by becoming art as they recreate selected Winslow Homer paintings through creative and professional photo-shoots. The program recently received additional grant support from the Maine Community Foundation, which will allow even more kids to participate this coming spring. Photographer Tom Foster worked on location with two groups of kids in 2018 at Yori Farm in Brooks, ME and Birch Point State Park. The goal was to modernize Homer’s original works “Crossing the Pasture” and “Watching the Ships”.
Young people participating in the program make decisions about which paintings they wish to portray and how to use contemporary props and clothing in their recreations. In addition to acting as models for the photographs, the kids participate in discussion groups and write journal entries about the paintings, their possible meanings, and their personal experiences during the project. The program’s purpose is to enrich students’ understanding of Winslow Homer and his contribution to the culture of Maine. Homer was selected for his accessibility, his Maine themes, and his use of subjects similar in age to participating youth. The kids will also have the opportunity to visit the artist’s studio and gallery in Prout’s Neck, ME where they will get to experience the artist’s original works firsthand after finalizing their own recreations.
The “I Am Art” project will culminate with an exhibition of the young artist’s works during Belfast’s Friday Art Walks in the fall of 2019. All About Games in downtown Belfast will be open to showcase their photography and allow youth to interact with the greater public during these popular open gallery events. This will be an exciting chance for program participants to share and reflect on their experiences with the community.
“I am Art” is a part of The Game Loft’s I Know ME program, which engages kids with Maine’s history, geography, economics, people. promise, and challenges while instilling within them a strong sense of self and place. Programming focuses on field trips, educational enrichment, helping kids become comfortable with themselves and others, games, conversation, decision-making, and travel. The program serves cohorts of 10 youth enrolled in the Mount View School system for six years beginning in 7th grade. I Know ME is made possible by generous grant funding by the Emanuel & Pauline A. Lerner Foundation. Please contact The Game Loft at (207) 338-6447 or info@thegameloft.org for additional information about program offerings.
Building trust, thinking sequentially, using the skills of the cohort, and delegating clearly are skills that adult managers often struggle to achieve. For a tentative 8thgrader they are “mountains to scale.”
helped his group build a cardboard bridge that would be strong and flexible. He showed his peers that 
he had an idea that would work. He described the steps in order and in a way that the group could understand and chose roles for each of the group members.
proud of their accomplishments. Tyson was exhausted by his new leadership role but he realized that the next time he will have increased confidence and competence.
