Spring Arts Showcase!!!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

The spring arts showcase is here:

Thursday, May 28
4:30-6:30pm

Tessellation Exploration

6th grade students have started a tessellation project.  After watching this youtube clip, we then admired the work of MC Escher.  We discussed the use of repetition and pattern in art and how its effects can be an optical illusion.  Students were then given a 4" x 4" square to create their tessellation template.  Once formed, they then traced their template across the entire 9" x 12" paper.

We then talked about complimentary colors and how they are opposite each other on the color wheel.

This image helped students better understand the pairings of complimentary colors

Then it was up to the students to choose which pair of complementary colors they wanted to use for their tessellation picture.

I can't wait to see their finished work all hung together.

Pinch Pot Gnomes

7th and 8h graders are exploring clay building by making garden gnomes.  The objective for this project is to make three pinch pots to stack on top of each other to represent the body, head and hat.  In addition, students will use the technique of scoring (with slip of course) to adhere the three pots, limbs and details of their gnome. 

Here is a sampling of the works that's begun!  I can't wait for these gnomes to get fired and glazed!!

Book Making - Things That Come in Groups

In collaboration with the 3rd grade math curriculum, students began a collective art project on multiplication and book making.  Students were divided into small groups and were asked to brainstorm a list of objects that come in groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, (skipped 11) and 12.

Students were then asked to "tag" which group(s) they want to illustrate.

Here's what a finished chart looks like.

We then spent a class making various styles of printed paper.  We used 1) paint and stamping techniques, 2) tissue paper and bleeding techniques and 3) rubbing with a wash technique.

 From there we began collaging.  The catch, no pencils or writing materials allowed!  I wanted students to really pull from their imagination and use their creative thinking to branch away from the crutch of drawing before cutting.  It was a challenge for them at first but once they started, nothing held them back.

This is just a sneak peek of all their hard work.  Check back to see their finished books!

Foiled Figures!

Aluminum foil - it's uses are countless!  

From covering food to adding the perfect metallic layer on a homemade sword.  

For this group of 6th graders, aluminum foil was transformed into sculpture.  Thanks to this clever tutorial from the smART Class blog, students were able to take an ordinary household material and turn it into art!

Before beginning this sculpture exploration, I thought it best to ask - What is sculpture?  Students recorded their ideas by making a quick sketch of a sculpture, followed by adding three things they knew about this art form.  I collected their responses and will assess them again after the project is complete to see how much more they appreciate and understand this medium.  We then shared out our ideas and were able to agree that sculpture is 3D, it can be made from many materials and it is definitely different than paining or drawing.  We then addressed the focus of the project - making a foil figure focusing on the form (no stiff legs and arms) and then choosing an action and setting for your figure.

Day one: Construction of the foil figure

Day two: Adding clothing for the figure specific to the action chosen

 Day three: Begin work on the setting for the figure.

Can't wait to post the finished projects!