During his Spring 2025 artist residency at KSMoCA, Dr. MLK Jr. School’s very own Mr. Xavier Pierce led over five workshops on color and painting with his first grade class. He collaborated with his first grade students on mixing and naming unique paint colors based on their emotions, dreams, and interests. Then they painted their colors onto a canvas divided into three sections: walls and a floor. This created a “room” that students  filled with drawings of subjects that are important to them. These collaborative rooms became a symbolic safe space for expression, reflection, and taking up space. Each student was paired with a PSU student and KSMoCA mentor who supported them individually—helping mix colors, spread paint across the canvas, and draw their chosen subjects. The resulting student artwork will be exhibited at KSMoCA alongside Mr. Pierce’s paintings. 

Mr. Pierce is an artist who grew up in Northeast Portland down the street from Dr. MLK Jr. School where he is a first grade teacher. He received his undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies and a master’s in Education, both from Portland State University.

The exhibition opening takes place in the Cafetorium hallway and is open to the public. Please stop by the Main Office to sign in and receive a “Visitor” badge.