Side x Side

During the 2022-23 fiscal year, Side X Side provided arts integration experiences to over 1,700 pre-k-8th grade students, 48 educators, and 12 interns at 11 elementary and middle schools. A few of our accomplishments included a collaborative public art exhibit and panel discussion titled sustenance at the portland public library. Teaching artist, pamela moulton, and classroom teacher, jes ellis, explored the theme of sustenance with third grade students during a science and social studies unit on salmon and river systems. Students created salmon sculptures that were exhibited alongside nationally-recognized artists and they performed a salmon dance at the opening. Additional accomplishments continues on schedule o. Another highlight was our work in middle schools, three in portland and one in lewiston. Portland students worked with artists to explore the themes of belonging and community. They designed and painted murals that represented diversity and inclusivity in both their schools and surrounding communities. In lewiston, students worked with artist antonio rocha and arts therapist marie sheffield ot explore belonging and community through a storytelling project called healthy people, healthy places. Our achievements are the result of collaborating "Side by Side" with schools, artists, community member, and funders. These programs were funded by Maine arts commission, Maine humanities council, lily sarah grace fund, davis family foundation, sewall foundation and individual donors.