McKinley students showcase their writing during ‘Poetry in the Park’

After-school Program Culminates in Day of Art and Poetry in Narrows Botanical Garden

June 20, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

McKinley English teacher Jessica Amato (left) and art teacher Roma Karas (back) with students participating in Poetry in the Park. Eagle photo by Arthur De Gaeta

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On Sunday, June 11, sixth, seventh and eighth grade William McKinley I.S. 259 students, in collaboration with the Narrows Botanical Garden (NBG) in Bay Ridge, presented “Poetry in the Park,” a daylong showcase of the students’ art and literary works.

During the school year, McKinley students had the opportunity to participate in an after-school program that focused on art and poetry. Under the direction of art teacher Roma Karas and language arts teacher Jessica Amato, students attended the program on Fridays. Each week, the students would create original artwork inspired by various artists and time periods and then write original poetry connected with their artwork.

The goal of the program was to incorporate literacy through the arts. Poetry in the Park allowed the students the opportunity to present their artwork and to recite their poetry in front of family members, teachers and community leaders.

The students created artwork and wrote poetry inspired by Japanese art, Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” and the New York cityscape. They presented their work in three rounds, and as one student held up artwork, the poet/creator of the work recited poetry at the pop-up podium.

The project was made possible by Janice Geary, who supported Amato and Karas’ vision to present students work in the park in collaboration with the NBG.

Among those attending the event was state Sen. Marty Golden’s Deputy Chief of Staff John Quaglione, who praised the students for their artistic creations.

Amato, who promotes community outreach for McKinley said, “Our Poetry in the Park event was a great way to involve the community to promote poetry and the arts, and to demonstrate the fine work our talented students create … This was a proud moment for our community on this fine, warm day in June, overlooking the rose garden.”