From classroom sketching to public display, Dunbar Elementary students explore identity through self portraits and poetry with Silvermine Art Partners
NEW CANAAN, CT, Feb. 19, 2026 —Third grade students from Dunbar Elementary School are being celebrated at the Newfield Branch Library with an exhibition of self-portraits created through a Literacy and Visual Arts residency led by Silvermine Arts Center’s Art Partners Outreach Program. This year’s library installation honors Black History Month and was marked by a special student field trip to the library, offering young artists the opportunity to see their work professionally displayed in a shared community space.
The Silvermine residency integrates mixed-media self-portraiture with poetry, encouraging students to explore identity while strengthening literacy skills. As part of the program, students studied the work and legacy of Paul Laurence Dunbar, for whom their school is named, and reflected on themes of identity, voice, and perseverance. Students also read and discussed “Hold Fast to Dreams” by Langston Hughes, using the poem as inspiration for both their written and visual work.
Student poems are displayed alongside the self-portraits to highlight how the written word and visual imagery complement one another as parallel forms of self-expression. New to this year’s installation are scientific observation drawings completed by the third graders, documenting the step-by-step process and reflective thinking that shaped their final portraits. These studies offer visitors insight into how ideas evolve from research and close observation into finished artwork.
“The library exhibition helps students recognize the value of their creative and written expressions. For several children, the visit was also their first time receiving a library card, reinforcing the powerful connection between art, literacy, and community,” said Missy Savard, Outreach Coordinator at Silvermine Arts Center.
The Newfield Branch Library, located adjacent to the school at 755 Central Avenue, serves as a vital neighborhood resource for learning and engagement. During the February field trip, students were welcomed by library staff, participated in a Black History Month–themed scavenger hunt, and explored the library’s collections and spaces. The exhibition is installed in the Youth Library Room, where poems and portraits are presented together to encourage reflection and dialogue. Alexis Young, Youth Services Librarian, worked closely with Silvermine staff to support the student visit and installation.
The exhibition will remain on view through March 6, 2026, and the public is encouraged to visit.
Serving more than 2,000 under-resourced youth annually, Silvermine Art Partners Outreach works to help close Connecticut’s persistent educational achievement gap by providing equitable access to high-quality arts education. Through curriculum-based residencies and enrichment programs delivered directly in schools and community sites, Silvermine supports student development in critical thinking, collaboration, literacy integration, and creative problem-solving—skills that support academic success and lifelong learning.
