SPEF Grant Supports Cross‑Curricular Fauvism Project at South Pasadena High School

SPHS students at the Norton Simon Museum as part of a capstone experience about the French Fauvist movement (Photo – Rouzanna Berberian)

A generous grant from the South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) recently enabled a unique cross‑curricular collaboration led by Ms. Rouzanna Berberian, Ms. Debbie Mogel, and Ms. Erin Kanner.

By News Desk

The project brought together students from their classes to explore Fauvism through both art history and hands‑on creative work.

Following an in‑depth lesson on Fauvism developed by Ms. Berberian, students used tracing paper and oil pastels to transform black‑and‑white photographs provided by AP students into vivid, Fauvist‑inspired artworks. The activity allowed students to apply their understanding of the movement’s bold colors and expressive style.

After studying the artists in class, students from both groups visited a museum to view the works they had learned about in person, deepening their connection to the material.

The completed student artwork is displayed in the SPHS library for the community to enjoy.