Artists Face the Critics at School

When two dozen art critics gathered to query professional artists in the gallery at Encino Elementary School on Friday, only their size gave away their age.

There was not a squirm or a yawn in the converted classroom as two Santa Barbara-based artists, whose work had hung in the school for a month, answered insightful questions from fifth-graders about their paintings, drawings and prints.

“Is there a special color you use when you’re happy?” asked one girl.

“How does it feel to finish a painting?” asked another.

The children, who had studied the artwork and discussed it in class, impressed the artists with questions about technique and materials.

Arnette Jens-Zerbe and Hedy Price Paley showed their works as part of the Encino school’s art education program, which includes 30 minutes a week for each child in the gallery studying art history, art criticism, aesthetics and art production.

A classroom was converted into a gallery about four years ago for the program, which is supported by the Getty Institute for Educators.

“It’s no longer an arts and crafts program,” said Katherine Leffler, a teacher at the school and associate director of the Southern California Institute for Educators in Visual Arts. “We’re talking serious art here.”

For Ricky Mucciaccio, a 10-year-old, the artists’ visit was a dream come true.

“It feels really exciting,” said Ricky, who sat near the front of the class, asking the artists question after question about their work. “I’ve never seen a real artist before.”

The excitement was mutual.

“It’s been fantastic,” Paley said. “I really respect their opinion because it comes from the heart. Some of the most wonderful words come out of their mouths.”