Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP), Pennsylvania’s largest K-8th grade scholarship program, presents Fresh Perspectives: A Student Art Showcase, which kicked off on June 28 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. The exhibition runs through July 14 and will feature nearly 200 original works created by more than 350 Philadelphia students who spent the school year exploring American history, civics and their own perspectives on the city’s past 250 years.
“As we mark both America’s 250th anniversary and CSFP’s own 25th, this exhibition is a powerful reminder of what Philadelphia’s students are capable of,” said Keisha Jordan, president and CEO of Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia. “We are proud to celebrate this milestone by giving our city’s young people the opportunity to share their voices and perspectives with all of Philadelphia and our city’s summer guests.”
Independence Mission Schools, the umbrella organization for 14 Catholic schools serving Greater Philadelphia, and Our Mother of Consolation Parish School became the founding partners for the exhibit.
“This initiative is a celebration of history, culture, community and student voice. Guided by the creativity, expertise and dedication of our art teachers, students will have the opportunity to explore Philadelphia’s artistic and historical legacy while developing their own unique creative expression,” said Gianna R. D’Angelo, president and CEO of Independence Mission Schools.
“This program has given our students the opportunity to think deeply about art, history and how we can all contribute to something larger as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. This project has also helped us expand on our personal reflections of the journey we endured this first year in our new school building. This is the kind of experience that becomes a lasting school memory, helping students see themselves as artists and as part of something bigger,” said Desiree Disney, Our Mother of Consolation Parish School principal.
CSFP provided classroom supplies to all participating teachers and coordinated funding for the exhibition at PAFA.
Fresh Perspectives is made possible through the support of CSFP Board Chair Margaret Dinenny, the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation and the Jordan Family Equity Fund. Since its founding in 2001, CSFP has awarded more than $170 million in scholarship funding to more than 30,000 students.
“Access to a high-quality education — and an arts education — opens doors for students to express themselves, think critically and participate in the community around them,” Dinenny said. “The Fresh Perspectives: Student Art Showcase is a powerful example of what happens when you give students across Philadelphia an opportunity to showcase their passion and creativity while commenting on this historic moment in time.”
Fresh Perspectives: A Student Art Showcase is open to the public through July 14 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 118-28 N. Broad St. Entrance to the exhibit is included with the price of admission. ••
