TNSM art teacher, Ryonen Ignatius, introduced the fun, the history, and the cultural symbolism of spirals with her kindergarten students. They circled up to listen as Ryonen read the beautifully worded and illustrated book, “Little Town of Spirals,” that was written by Ryonen’s beloved neighbor and friend, Cynthia Matyi. With words and art, this book drew students’ attention into a journey where each page spun with the townsfolk’s curly hair, water circling and flowing, animal tails and snails that led, on the last page, to dreams spiraling into sleep.
While students created their own spiral drawings from oil pastel crayons, they learned that some cultures have traditions using a spiral pattern as a way to enter into meditation, directing their mind through a circular labyrinth. In the Celtic culture, the spiral knot symbolizes a journey of growth as one travels life’s path.
Splashes of watercolor on students’ spirals added a finishing touch of warmth and vibrancy as they completed their journey into a glorious day of spirals!
Ann Baumgardner