RiekeArt

06/09/2026

Looking for something to do this summer? Check out the HeART of Portland show at the Portland Art Museum. It’s pretty great! This article about it just happens to feature photos of my Rieke and Forest Park artists’ work. A great way to end the year! 😍

At the revived downtown museum, an exhibit of 100-plus artworks by public school students shines energetically – and several works by older artists stand out, too.

06/05/2026

Today, my fifth graders will be promoted from Rieke. So hard to believe these were my kindergarteners when school was online for the pandemic. They painted these “Say Something” self portraits in first grade. For their last project as 5th graders, they learned about “Street Art for Social Justice.”Then, they worked collaboratively to create stickers and posters with a message. It’s kinda cool to see them coming almost full circle and using their art to express what’s important to them. They have so much to share with the world! 🩷 Rieke rockets, it’s time to launch! Go be awesome!🚀

05/26/2026

Kindergarten students “traveled” to Australia and learned about Pete Cromer and his Australian animal collages. Then, they painted papers and created these fantastic birds in his style. Notice the amazing details, especially on the 6th and 7th images 🙄…This lesson is one of a series connecting to the continents kindergarten is studying in their literacy curriculum.😃

05/25/2026

As the end of the year approaches, I’m trying to catch up on sharing some the awesome work done by Rieke artists this year. I shared these first graders’ paintings in progress a while ago, but never showed their finished work... To connect with the literacy focus on “Creature Features,” students viewed art by wildlife artist Teshia . They drew and painted “creatures” while observing animal figurines, then used their imaginations to create their background habitats. Teshia’s art inspired them to think about color in a new way. .arts

05/19/2026

Third graders created self portraits inspired by our art room mascot, Frida Kahlo. (She never gave up despite her challenges, and she used art as a refuge.) After interpreting “Self Portrait with Hummingbird and Thorn Necklace,”students painted themselves from observation, learned about proportions, and practiced color mixing to match their unique skin tones. Next, students drew symbols to tell about themselves. They balanced their compositions with symmetry (mirror and equal weight).

05/14/2026

Neurographic Art by 4th graders. I love introducing this mindful process to my students during this high anxiety, end-of-year, testing time to show my students that the creating can be a tool for our well-being. Notice how unique each design looks! It’s like a glimpse into our minds. If you haven’t tried this process-based art, do a quick search and give it a go! .arts

05/13/2026

Now that the Art Fair is over, I can catch up on sharing other things…These beauties are from the Pendulum Painting Experience at the Science Fair and STEAM Night. We explored the laws of motion while swinging paint around. It was so much fun! Thanks to the amazing parent and Rieke Alum who volunteered to help. .arts

05/10/2026

If you missed it, the students’ art from the Art Fair will be on display through next Friday (May 15). Everyone is welcome! .arts

05/04/2026

Wow! Our community showed up yesterday! Please share your photos from the day with me and . I am excited to post more from the Art Fair this week and show how art brings our community together. .arts

05/02/2026

Tomorrow’s the day! Hope to see you between 9am-2pm at Rieke! .arts