News Summary

In Coronado, first graders from Village Elementary School teamed up with high school students from Coronado High School to create the animated piece ‘Creatures in Motion’. This project merged youthful imagination with technical skill, showcasing the creative process and resulting in a captivating animation that will be displayed at the San Diego Museum of Art’s upcoming youth exhibition.

Coronado Students Join Forces for Amazing Animation

In the sunny city of Coronado, an exciting collaboration has blossomed between the budding creativity of first graders from Village Elementary School and the artistic talents of high school students at Coronado High School (CHS). Together, they embarked on an adventurous journey to create an animated piece titled ‘Creatures in Motion’, which beautifully illustrates the wonders of the natural world.

A Magical Mixture of Creativity and Skill

This unique project brought together the imaginative minds of young children with the technical skills of older students, resulting in a captivating fusion of artistry. The first graders were tasked with sketching their very own animal designs, each filled with unique names, distinct personalities, and specific habitats that reflected their youthful imagination.

The magic truly began when the CHS animation students, eager to understand the foundation of the first graders’ creativity, visited their classrooms. This face-to-face interaction allowed the older students to dive deep into the details of the children’s artwork, capturing the essence of each creature to bring them to life on screen.

Animating the Imagination

With notes in hand and inspiration brimming, the CHS animators set to work. They skillfully produced animated shorts that not only showcased fluid movement but also conveyed emotional expressions and vivid natural habitats, all based on the imaginative artwork of their young partners. This collaboration was more than just an art project; it was an opportunity for both age groups to learn from one another, with high schoolers drawing upon the purity of childhood creativity while enhancing their own animation skills in the process.

The excitement reached its peak when the finished animation was compiled and screened right in the first-grade classroom. Picture joyful faces as students watched their imaginative animals leap, frolic, and roar in animated form!

A Museum Exhibition to Remember

The fruits of their labor didn’t stop in the classroom! The final piece, infused with heart and soul, earned a spot in the prestigious San Diego Museum of Art’s biennial youth exhibition, Young Art 2025: Nurture and Nature. The exhibition is set to run from April 5 to May 18, 2025, at the Museum of Photographic Arts—a thrilling opportunity for the young artists to see their work in an esteemed setting. A special reception is planned for April 3, 2025, to celebrate the achievements of all the creators involved.

Excitement in the Air

First-grade teacher Brittany Lindquist described the overwhelming excitement her students felt about their work being exhibited in a museum. Their joyful energy was contagious, leading to a classroom buzzing with anticipation and pride. The high schoolers, too, reflected a sense of accomplishment, understanding the significance of their collaboration and the impact it had on their artistic growth.

An enthusiastic student from CHS expressed how enlightening it was to see projects through children’s eyes, translating their ideas into stunning digital art. Meanwhile, the first graders couldn’t contain their delight, sharing how much they loved witnessing their animated creations come to life, with conversations about how their animals danced and roared filling the air.

Catch the Animation Online

For those unable to attend the exhibition, a recording of the final animation can also be viewed on YouTube, offering everyone a chance to experience this delightful masterpiece born from a collaborative effort between imagination and skill.

As this project wraps up, it stands as a shining example of what can happen when adults and children come together to share ideas and craft stories. In Coronado, the power of collaboration has not only told a story but has left an impactful mark on all participants, illustrating the magic that creativity can bring to our world.