Students from Concord Magnet School (CMS) participated in an international art exchange with their peers from schools in Latvia and Kenya. The program is a collaboration between Silvermine Art Partners Outreach Education, Creative Connections, and CMS.
NEW CANAAN, CT, June 16, 2025—Silvermine Arts Center’s Art Partners Outreach Program continued its longstanding collaboration with Creative Connections to bring an exciting cultural enrichment opportunity to the 6th and 7th-grade students at Concord Magnet School (CMS) in Norwalk, CT. This year’s program, My Story: Everyone Loves Stories, fostered cross-cultural understanding through artistic expression and global exchange.
Through this initiative, CMS students participated in an international art exchange with their peers at Baldone Art School in Baldone, Latvia, and Kambiti Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya. With guidance from Silvermine Art Partners and the international network of Creative Connections, students created art that represented their identities, communities, and cultural traditions. The artwork was then exchanged with students from their partner schools, fostering a meaningful dialogue.
Renowned author and illustrator Lizzy Rockwell led an artist residency as part of the program, sharing her step-by-step illustration techniques. Her expertise enhanced the students’ ability to convey emotion, detail, and depth in their art, creating a powerful medium for storytelling and connection.
“It was inspiring to see these students use art to share their personal experiences and connect with peers from across the globe,” said Lizzy Rockwell. “Through their creativity, they not only expressed who they are but also opened a window into their world—one brushstroke at a time.”
Through this collaborative initiative, Concord Magnet students not only developed artistic skills, but also gained a broader understanding of the world by viewing and responding to artwork created by their international peers.
“At Silvermine, we believe in the power of art to break down barriers and build bridges between communities,” said Barbara Linarducci, CEO of Silvermine Arts Center. “Through this program, students not only explored their own identities, but also developed empathy and appreciation for the diverse experiences of other students across the world.”
