Impressionist Art Class in the Berkshires

French students and teachers from Simsbury and Farmington high schools traveled together on September 27 to the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass. This collaborative experience, organized by Linda Zabor, a world language teacher in Farmington, and Stephanie Duchesneau, Simsbury's world language department supervisor, also included guest artist Jeffrey Brewster, who accompanied the group to the exhibit, called Pissarro’s People, which featured depictions of peasants by the French painter Camille Pissarro.

Brewster visited both schools before the trip and introduced the art of Pissarro and that of other French painters. Students began a basic impressionist drawing with his guidance.

The 30 students from the two schools who went to the museum started the day with a meet and greet in French to get to know each other. This was followed by a guided French tour and a drawing session outside with Brewster. The students were able to draw the same scenes that had been recreated around the campus by a local artist. These straw figures brought the paintings to life, with the beautiful campus serving as background for a new perspective.

The group gathered for a French picnic lunch provided by the Harvest Café in Simsbury and finished the day by choosing to return to the museum, draw or take a tour of the nearby studio.  

This information was provided by Simsbury Public Schools.