“Art Is A Game” (Hanoch Piven)
Today our students had an unforgettable experience as we welcomed Mr. Hanoch Piven, a world-renowned Israeli artist, illustrator, and educator, to our school. Known for his whimsical and imaginative portraits crafted from found and everyday objects, Mr. Piven shared his artistic journey with students in grades 3 through 8, sparking creativity and joy in all who attended.
During his visit, Mr. Piven inspired young minds with his unique approach to art—one that embraces playfulness, curiosity, and self-expression. He encouraged students to think beyond traditional art materials and to see the potential in everyday objects around them. His message was clear: art is not about perfection but about exploring and reinventing the world in new and exciting ways.
Piven answered many questions from our students who were curious to learn more about him and his art. He spoke about the importance of the creative process and how failing and being stuck is often an opportunity to grow. He reminded students that art is not like assembling a lamp from an instruction sheet—objects give us ideas, and our art evolves. He emphasized that there are no right or wrong ways in art, only endless possibilities to explore and create. As he put it, "art is a game, and games prepare us for life." He also emphasized that "art is many ways of being you," encouraging students to embrace their individuality through creativity.
A highlight of the day was a special hands-on workshop in our very own art room, where 5th-grade students had the rare opportunity to create their own masterpieces under the guidance of Mr. Piven himself. With buttons, bottle caps, LEGOs, strings, toys, fabric flowers and an array of repurposed materials, our young artists embarked on an extraordinary adventure in artistic reinvention, each piece reflecting their unique personalities and creative vision.
Laughter and excitement filled the room as students discovered the magic of turning the ordinary into something extraordinary. Seeing their eyes light up with inspiration was a testament to the power of art and imagination.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our PTA for making this incredible experience possible and for turning Ms. Goldstein's dream of bringing Hanoch Piven to WDS into a reality. Mr. Piven’s visit was more than just an art lesson—it was a reminder that creativity has no limits, and that each of us has the power to transform the world with our imagination.
We can’t wait to see how our students continue to explore and express their creativity in the days to come! There is MORE coming from our art room, so stay tuned!
Link to photos here