Q+I: Corpus CALLOSUM: Rhoda Kellogg and the Biology of Graphic Development

Please join us on Monday, June 30th for a conversation with artist Brian Belott and educator Jennifer DiGioia about child art pioneer Rhoda Kellogg. Kellogg is the subject UPSIDE DOWN ZEBRA, the upcoming exhibition at The Watermill Center co-curated by Belott and Noah Khoshbin.

Over six decades, Rhoda Kellogg amassed a collection of over two million pieces of child art from around the world. She created a classification system that describes the development of graphic expression in the early years, beginning before the age of two. Her research demonstrated that children follow a predictable continuum of graphic development, from scribbles through certain basic forms, and that this development is universal, across cultures. She further asserted that child art can be a key to understanding the mental growth and educational needs of children.

Belott and DiGioia will share what informed Kellogg's passion for child art, self-directed learning, and why it remains imperative to respect the intrinsic motivation to create that is part of each child's biology.

BRIAN BELLOTTBrian Belott (b. 1973, East Orange, NJ) lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. He received a BFA in 1995 from the School of Visual Arts, NY. His work has shown at The Journal, Brooklyn, NY; LOYAL, Malmö, Sweden; CANADA, New York, NY; and Galerie Zurcher, Paris, France. Notable exhibitions include: Call and Response, Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, New York, NY (2015); Jeunes Créateurs à New York, Musée d’Art Moderne de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France (2014); and Draw Gym, 247365, Brooklyn, NY (2013). Belott’s work is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York.

JENNIFER DIGIOIAThis is Jennifer DiGioia’s 35th year in the field of Early Childhood Education. She has served on the boards of several affiliates of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, where she worked to increase awareness of the direct link between teacher retention and high-quality programming. For most of her career, she has been a member of Phoebe A. Hearst Preschool (San Francisco), designed and founded by Rhoda Kellogg. Her passion for Kellogg’s teachings touches every aspect of her community relationships and teaching practices.

QUESTIONS + IDEAS (Q+I)The Watermill Center’s year-round talk series gathers leaders and creative thinkers across the arts, humanities, and sciences to engage on complex and wide-ranging topics. With a focus on cross-disciplinary and cultural exchange, Q + I celebrates creative thinking and shared curiosity.

Topics have included Indigenous Art and the Evolution of Culture, the Intersection of Gender and Justice, the neurodiverse artistic experience, the Attention Economy, and the Future of Architecture. Speakers range from Watermill Artists-in-Residence and East End community leaders to global thought leaders, including Marina Abramovic, Hilton Als, Ron Athey, Philip Glass, Daniel Libeskind, Aja Monet, Nico Muhly, Robert O’Hara, Nadya Tolokonnikova, Carrie Mae Weems and Dr. Cornel West.

Image Credits: All archival child art works and works by Rhoda Kellogg are courtesy of the Rhoda Kellogg International Child Art Collection of the Golden Fate Kindergarten Association / Phoebe Hearst Preschool.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPlease note: The Watermill Center no longer requires visitors to wear face-coverings for indoor events. The use of masks is encouraged, and disposable masks will be provided by The Center upon request. We thank you for supporting our efforts to keep both our international and local community of artists and alumni safe and healthy during their stay at The Watermill Center.

The Watermill Center is committed to providing accessible programs and services for all patrons and artists with disabilities. For further information about any accessibility needs, please email us at dmlzaXQgfCB3YXRlcm1pbGxjZW50ZXIgISBvcmc=.

Also check out other Arts events in Water Mill, Exhibitions in Water Mill.