Claxton Elementary - Student Art Exhibition: Portraits of Strength Inspired by the Work of Kehinde Wiley

Project Overview

4th-grade students at Claxton Elementary explored Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) to better understand their unique strengths. Combining visual art, drama, photography, and writing, students created self-portraits inspired by artist Kehinde Wiley. Their work celebrates diverse ways of thinking and learning while reinforcing Wiley’s message of inclusivity in fine art. We hope to share this collection with the broader community through a local gallery or non-profit space, providing students with an authentic audience and highlighting the value of their perspectives.

The Student Experience

Students began by completing an MI survey to identify their top two strengths, then designed personal symbols to represent them.

Next, they analyzed Kehinde Wiley’s portraiture style—focusing on pattern, scale, and color—and incorporated their personal symbols into original portraits. In collaboration with their drama teacher, students created tableaus (frozen poses) representing their strengths. These were photographed and integrated into their final pieces, blending movement, photography, and fine art.

Request for Community Gallery Space

We invite a local venue in the Asheville area to host this student exhibition featuring completed portraits and written reflections. Displaying their work professionally offers an impactful conclusion to this interdisciplinary project, giving students a platform to share who they are and how they learn. Ideally, the exhibit will run for a few weeks before concluding in time for artwork to be returned by mid-December as holiday gifts for families.

You may contact Hollis McKeown, Arts Integration Specialist at Claxton Elementary in regard to questions or inquiries, at hollis.mckeown@acsgmail.net