One of the most well-received and enduring programs of our organization is our "Artist In The Schools" project. Art In The Atrium co-sponsors artist residencies throughout the Morris School District that benefit between 200 to 500 students annually.

Noted New Jersey artist, Russell A Murray is one of our most popular "artists in the schools". His assemblages are a delight to students, teachers and the community at large. His latest three day project at the Thomas Jefferson school enriched the entire learning community. He created an assemblage of non-edible rubbish, which led to both a language arts lesson as well as a follow up assembly presented by the Morris County Board of Utilities for a lesson on recycling in Morris County. He has received requests to return to Thomas Jefferson and to come to other schools in the district for the 2003-2004 school year.

The project that Art in the Atrium is proposing will introduce children to folk art and encourage them to create their own. This residency will require ten classes twice during the school year, first in the fall and again in the spring. In these classes the students enrolled will view slides and videos about noted folk artists and thereafter they will create their own works.

These folk art workshops will be offered as after school program, including Saturday classes. Mr. Murray will engage each student in the process of making art by using found and recycled objects that are aesthetically viable. He will encourage them to create art that reflects their personal and unique experiences as the southern folk artists do.