Addabbo Hosts Fine Art Therapy Class at PS 97 With Instructor Gennaro Kravitz

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. brought a fine art therapy class to the 5th grade student government pupils at PS 97 in Woodhaven taught by instructor Gennaro Kravitz, a gifted artist skilled in using basic shapes and inexpensive art tools to create joyous, yet simple designs.

"Art class is not just about creating pictures; it's about nurturing imagination, building confidence, and inspiring the next generation to see the world with creativity and hope,” Addabbo said.

Kravitz gave each student a sketch pad and a box of crayons (to keep) generously donated by the Co-Cathedral of St, Joseph – St. Teresa of Avila, located in Brooklyn, where Kravitz is the resident artist and art instructor. He is VIRTUS-certified by the Diocese of Brooklyn as a youth instructor. Kravitz says his style is modeled after the 1970s "Pattern and Decoration" (P&D) movement. 

He began the class by telling the students to empty the box of crayons in front of them and spread them out so they could see all the colors at once. Then he explained to them that they would be using the four basic shapes – circle, square, triangle and rectangle - to create landscapes, trees, flowers and even people.

Kravitz explained the importance of creating a swatch chart to test colors before using them, as in the style of Vladimir Kandinsky. He also explained how Warli Hieroglyphics used basic shapes to create drawings of people.

During the hour-long class, the students were encouraged to follow along with Kravitz as he drew on a dry erase board, but they were also encouraged to explore their own creative intuitions. Kravitz encouraged drawing and coloring to relax and unwind after a busy day of school classes, homework and chores and as a great alternative to using cell phones and other electronic devices for recreation. 

“Art is a great pastime,” Kravitz said. “Creating an image is a delight. It’s great just spreading the color on the paper. There is no right or wrong way. It’s all about creativity and how you feel. If one day you feel like you just want to use the blue crayon, then just use the blue crayon.”