For Women’s History Month 2026, Ms. Vallarino’s and Mr. Frost’s art classes collaborated together with Librarian Ms. Cloues to create a special art installation for Roosevelt Middle School entitled:
A Seat at the Table
Students were given time to research a significant woman, past or present, who they felt some kind of personal connection to. In paired partnerships, they took on the role of chair designer to develop and create a chair for their chosen "client". They conducted research, drafted sketches, identified materials, and crafted a chair that fit the personality of their client while concurrently teaching others about her importance in society.
This project was inspired in part by artist Judy Chicago’s famous art installation "The Dinner Party", from the 1970s. We noticed that while there were place settings, there were no places for the women to sit. We started this project as a way of showcasing who deserves a seat at the table.
Research
Each group of RMS art students chose a notable woman to research and represent with an art chair. They began by surveying various women in books in our library, then talking with their partner about who they would choose together. They then conducted more research on their selection and discussed their personal connections to them.