FITCHBURG — A reception was held last week for a new exhibit at the Fitchburg Art Museum that features colorful artwork created by preschoolers.
Hosmer Head Start students proudly showed off their creations at the Dec. 11 opening for the exhibit that will be on display in the community gallery at the Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM) through Jan. 4. Each preschool classroom at the Fitchburg Head Start location chose a book to base their art off of, which resulted in a wide variety of vibrant pieces included in the show.
Making Opportunity Count (MOC) Family Services Specialist for Child Care and Head Start at Hosmer Brittany Pagourgis shared the details about the books selected. Small World Classroom created art inspired by “The Rainbow Tree” by Leon Shargel and used finger paint, tissue paper, glue, and construction paper on cardstock; Sunshine Classroom “explored clouds and imagination” through “Little Cloud” by Eric Carle, using puffy paint and glitter on construction paper mounted on foam paper; and First Step Classroom based their artwork “on the rhythmic favorite” “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, utilizing cardstock, construction paper, and foam letters.
In addition, Magic Moments Classroom created nature-inspired pieces based on “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert using mediums such as construction paper, glue, sticks, googly eyes, and fabric leaves; Playmates Classroom “learned about the artist Jackson Pollock and his famous drip-painting technique” and after reading “Splatter” by Diane Alber, “the children created their own vibrant tempera splatter masterpieces”; and Shining Stars Classroom created artwork inspired by “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister.
“Through ‘The Rainbow Fish’ project, children explored themes of sharing, individuality, and creativity while engaging in a rich, multi-step art experience,” Pagourgis said. “After reading the story aloud as a group, the children collaborated on a 3D art display and later created their own individual rainbow fish pieces.
“The process began with watercolor painting as children designed the bodies of their fish,” she continued. “After the paint dried, they identified and assembled important features, such as eyes and scales, through guided discussion and hands-on support from their teacher. This encouraged observation, vocabulary development, and decision-making skills.”
Pagourgis has been employed with MOC since October 2024, the organization the Leominster and Fitchburg Head Start locations are operated by. Head Start is a federal program for preschool children aged 3 to 5 years old from low-income families with the goal to prepare children for success in school.
All six of the classrooms at Hosmer Head Start are mixed ages and Pagourgis said they can accept students beginning at age 2 years 9 months for their full-day programs. She also relayed that they are proud of their students’ artwork and thrilled to have it on display at FAM.
“As children cut, glued, and arranged their materials, they practiced fine motor coordination, sequencing, and spatial awareness, all while expressing their own creative choices,” Pagourgis said. “The final display highlights both their unique artistic interpretations and their growing understanding of artistic processes and collaboration.”
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