Elementary Students Visit Art Gallery

With a backdrop of artwork featuring dozens of ceramic ducks, more than 50 students from Hoover Street Elementary School in the Pico-Union area made their own artwork and talked with artists during their visit Thursday to Cruz L.A. Gallery in Venice.

The ducks were the creation of artist Safi Alia Shabaik, who told fourth- and fifth-graders what it is like to be an artist. Students also spoke with gallery owner Cruz Jimenez as part of “Art for Kids’ Sake,” a program developed by Hoover art teacher Annie Buckley to introduce students to art and artists.

Buckley, who said she is the only full-time elementary art teacher employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District, said she plans to take each of her 14 classes on similar field trips.

“It’s been really, really nice for me because the kids don’t have any other opportunities to express themselves through art, and I just see them eat it up,” Buckley said.