RiekeArt

10/21/2026

Fourth and fifth graders have started forming armatures for their papier mache’ crows. Can’t wait to see these come together! We will get more inspiration when we “Follow the Crows” on our field trip this Friday. Students will see the Wildwood crow sculptures and look for evidence of crows roosting. Portland Arts & Culture for Equity PPS Visual & Performing Arts Portland Public Schools Rieke Elementary

10/14/2026

“A line is a dot that went for a walk.” Paul Klee. Kindergarteners are exploring LINES.

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

First through fifth grade students have been working on our schoolwide project inspired by Kelsey Montague’s project. Every student is making a feather to represent their unique self. We will combine these to make our Rieke Wings. Students are thinking and talking about what they can do to lift others in the community as they create their beautiful feathers. Stay tuned to see our Rieke wings emerge!

10/09/2026

Thank you Gary Granger from PortlandCrowRoost.org for visiting Rieke and sharing your amazing expertise with our 4th and 5th graders! Students have been learning about crows in an integrated arts unit inspired by the Wildwood “Follow the Crows” statues in downtown Portland. Next week, we start sculpting our murder of crows! Follow along to see our crow adventures. Portland Public Schools Portland Arts & Culture for Equity LAIKA Studios WildwoodFollowTheCrows

09/16/2026

Kindergarteners continued making dots today as they painted lots and lots of dots around the room. They started learning about the influential Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. “Earth, moon, sun, and human beings all represent dots; a single particle among billions.” Thank you for your contributions to this universe, Yayoi Kusama. Your dot was one in a billion!

09/11/2026

Third graders learned to “stretch and explore” by drawing self portraits with one continuous line. They were challenged to not lift their pencils while drawing which also means they couldn’t use their erasers! Many reflected on how drawing this way felt “freeing”... We will be working on embracing imperfections this year. Often students get “stuck” when they can’t get their art to look a certain way. (Adults, Do you say things like “I can’t draw.” 😳) For inspiration, we read “I Can’t Draw” by Stephen Martin and Brian Biggs to help us understand that our art will always have a unique style and comparing our work to others can be harmful—AND, take away what makes it AWESOME! Portland Public Schools PPS Visual & Performing Arts

09/09/2026

Gorgeous Paste Papers by second graders! Students will pick their favorite to turn into a sketchbook cover and donate the rest to our “community supply” to be used in other projects throughout the year. Ask your 2nd-5th graders how making paste papers demonstrates why we need to follow “The Rieke Way” in the art studio.😳

09/08/2026

Welcome kindergarteners! We started the year by reading “The Dot” by Peter Reynolds. Just like Vashti in the story, they are making a mark and seeing where it takes them. Along the way, Artists Beatriz Milhazes and Yayoi Kusama add more inspiration. Peter H. Reynolds @

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.