Students of Hawthorne High’s Media Arts 1, 2, 3 and Studio Art classes attended a field trip to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City on April 22, 2014. Teachers John Di Lonardo and Danielle Russo led the students on the informative trip.

While touring the MoMA, art teacher Danielle Russo shared her knowledge on the works of art, giving background information on each piece. Then, using their own interpretation, students facilitated small-group discussions while viewing each piece.

Today, the MOMA is the home of some of the most famous pieces of art, among them are: Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, by Pablo Picasso; Gold Marilyn Monroe, by Andy Warhol; Self Portrait with Cropped Hair, by Frida Kahlo, Flag; by Jasper Johns, The Starry Night; by Vincent van Gogh, The Persistence of Memory; by Salvador Dal, and of course, many more.

Experiencing such classic and famous artwork in person was humbling to many of the art students. “I really enjoyed this field trip. Having the opportunity to see some of the best artwork in the world was truly inspiring,” says senior Nicole Vander Werf

According to MoMA.org, the MoMA opened in 1929 with goals to educate the world of what modern art truly was. During a time when conservative art dominated, Miss Lillie P. Bliss, Mrs. Cornelius J. Sullivan, and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Jr., felt the need to educate the nation on modern art and push the envelope on the art known as the “norm.”

The students of Media and Studio Arts returned to HHS feeling inspired and ready to continue their art education.