da Vinci Project inspires creativity in Upper School community
By Poly parent Ann Olson
This fall, Poly’s Upper School students were given the opportunity to take part in a project based on the journals of Leonardo da Vinci. Called the da Vinci Project, Poly’s Visual Arts Department encouraged students to use sketchbook journals to draw, write, calculate, plan, sketch, invent, imagine, and dream. The goal was to provide an outlet for expressing their ideas, feelings, and thoughts. The project is taken directly from da Vinci, one of the most diversely talented artists, who wrote in his notebooks for daily inspiration, resulting in thousands of pages of notes and drawings.
When the project was launched, all Upper School students, even those not taking art courses, were encouraged to take a free sketchbook and to write or draw whatever interested them. Classroom credit is not given; students simply use the journals in their free time. More than half the student body, along with several faculty members, has been participating in the da Vinci Project.
“Leonardo da Vinci was the ultimate Renaissance Man, defined as a man of unquenchable curiosity, with a freshly inventive imagination. We see those same qualities in Poly students, so we thought the notebooks would be ideal for inspiration and expression,” explained Arnor Bieltvedt, chair of the Visual Arts Department. “Students are encouraged to create poetry, solve math and science questions, or sketch whatever they want. The integration of different ideas should lead the students to new insights and to the understanding of who they are and what they are interested in.”
Senior Olivia W. ‘15 explained what drew her to this project: “Initially the idea of compiling a bunch of random doodles and drawings was really appealing. Ultimately, I have been using the sketchbook for a lot of personal ideas and views about the world. Working in the notebook is really relaxing for me and a way to document all of my art.” Ally A. '16 echoed that sentiment: “In the hubbub of a Poly student’s life, it’s not often that we get to do something just for us. The da Vinci Project is an awesome effort…to bring some creativeness into our daily lives.” Some students used the sketchbooks as a way to work through their thoughts and to process ideas. “A lot of my best ideas come from random thoughts that don’t seem relevant immediately, but later evolve into something cool,” Ally added. “I like the freedom that the project provides — there are no guidelines or deadlines,” Jennifer L. ’17 reflected.
Catharine Stebbins, administrative assistant to the Upper School, uses the sketchbook in the same ways as the students. “What I’m getting out of it is a visual reference of how I develop my ideas. Without a sketchbook, I’d normally think about the idea for a long time. With the sketchbook, I’m physically recording that thought process and can refer back to it for inspiration or insight as I move forward.” Bieltvedt added, “The journals are a good alternative to playing computer games and using digital media.”
Like da Vinci himself, some students have completed one sketchbook and have moved on to another. The project has been well received and is ongoing at this point. “The compact size of the journal makes it very mobile and easy to carry around, making it convenient to process ideas immediately as I think of them," shared Jennifer. "It could potentially be a useful way to showcase students’ unknown creativity.”
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This fall, Poly’s Upper School students were given the opportunity to take part in a project based on the journals of Leonardo da Vinci. Called the da Vinci Project, Poly’s Visual Arts Department encouraged students to use sketchbook journals to draw, write, calculate, plan, sketch, invent, imagine, and dream. The goal was to provide an outlet for expressing their ideas, feelings, and thoughts. The project is taken directly from da Vinci, one of the most diversely talented artists, who wrote in his notebooks for daily inspiration, resulting in thousands of pages of notes and drawings.
When the project was launched, all Upper School students, even those not taking art courses, were encouraged to take a free sketchbook and to write or draw whatever interested them. Classroom credit is not given; students simply use the journals in their free time. More than half the student body, along with several faculty members, has been participating in the da Vinci Project.
“Leonardo da Vinci was the ultimate Renaissance Man, defined as a man of unquenchable curiosity, with a freshly inventive imagination. We see those same qualities in Poly students, so we thought the notebooks would be ideal for inspiration and expression,” explained Arnor Bieltvedt, chair of the Visual Arts Department. “Students are encouraged to create poetry, solve math and science questions, or sketch whatever they want. The integration of different ideas should lead the students to new insights and to the understanding of who they are and what they are interested in.”
Senior Olivia W. ‘15 explained what drew her to this project: “Initially the idea of compiling a bunch of random doodles and drawings was really appealing. Ultimately, I have been using the sketchbook for a lot of personal ideas and views about the world. Working in the notebook is really relaxing for me and a way to document all of my art.” Ally A. '16 echoed that sentiment: “In the hubbub of a Poly student’s life, it’s not often that we get to do something just for us. The da Vinci Project is an awesome effort…to bring some creativeness into our daily lives.” Some students used the sketchbooks as a way to work through their thoughts and to process ideas. “A lot of my best ideas come from random thoughts that don’t seem relevant immediately, but later evolve into something cool,” Ally added. “I like the freedom that the project provides — there are no guidelines or deadlines,” Jennifer L. ’17 reflected.
Catharine Stebbins, administrative assistant to the Upper School, uses the sketchbook in the same ways as the students. “What I’m getting out of it is a visual reference of how I develop my ideas. Without a sketchbook, I’d normally think about the idea for a long time. With the sketchbook, I’m physically recording that thought process and can refer back to it for inspiration or insight as I move forward.” Bieltvedt added, “The journals are a good alternative to playing computer games and using digital media.”
Like da Vinci himself, some students have completed one sketchbook and have moved on to another. The project has been well received and is ongoing at this point. “The compact size of the journal makes it very mobile and easy to carry around, making it convenient to process ideas immediately as I think of them," shared Jennifer. "It could potentially be a useful way to showcase students’ unknown creativity.”
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