Love 'The Skin You Live In' (posttrib.suntimes - Oil Portrait Painting)

Second-grade students at Winfield Elementary School recently were given an interesting assignment — creating a self-portrait during the South Shore Arts program “The Skin You Live In.” The program was underwritten by Northwest Indiana McDonald’s owners-operators.

Oil portrait painting

“We strive to create and strengthen connections between socially and culturally diverse communities in Northwest Indiana,” said SSA director of marketing Trish Hernandez. “Our partnership with McDonald’s will help us share the message of ‘The Skin You Live In’ with numerous children through creative storytelling and the aid of art.”

The program follows the book ‘The Skin You Live In,” written by Michael Tyler and illustrated by Hammond native David Lee Csicsko.

Portrait Oil Painting

“We all are unique individuals. But we do have some similarities also,” SSA instructor Ellen Maxwell told the students. “Everyone can feel good in their skin, no matter what color it is.”

Second-grader Kendall Walker, 8, agreed.

“Just because someone looks different doesn’t mean you can’t be friends with them,” he earnestly said. “They can be fun, too.”

Ninety second-grade classrooms throughout Northwest Indiana participated in the program. Children are taught lessons on diversity, friendship and social acceptance.

As the session to design the self-portrait began, the children chose a piece of construction paper to match the color of their skin.