On Thursday, May 18,  the "Garden People" sculptures created by Concord Magnet’s First Grade students were installed at Fodor Farm. This year, Concord Magnet’s arts residency with Silvermine Arts Center directly followed the First Grade Produce Market “CMS Fresh Picks." Under the supervision of Silvermine Arts Center Artist Marta Kot, the students painted a variety of fruits and vegetables on the sculptures

The Fodor Farm “Garden People” is a Visual Art/Poetry connection - a Public Art project designed by Silvermine Arts Center that brings children’s creativity and knowledge to the community. The children have the opportunity to express what they have learned through multiple intelligences - Spatial, Linguistic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Naturalistic. Thanks to Missy Savard and Silvermine Arts Center for this wonderful arts residency.

Poetry is a natural extension of the visual arts. The children’s poems are as artistic as the sculptures. Poetry is difficult to write at such an early age, but writing about a plant becomes much easier if you have discussed it, grown it, experimented with it, dissected it, eaten it, and importantly painted it. The poems’ elements include metaphors, voice, and figurative language.

You can view the first graders’ colorful sculptures at Fodor Farm, 328 Flax Hill Road, Norwalk.