Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe that the school year is almost half way through! As the second term is coming to and end, all of the art classes will be starting new projects.

5A was introduced to Greek sculptures last week; 5B had a snow day on the day they were supposed to start the unit. This is yet another multi-step project. First, students will build an armature out of wire, and, then, they will mold clay around the frame to create a miniature sculpture depicting a human of their choice in one of the three iconic Greek sculpture styles: Archaic, Classical, or Hellenistic. For more information on the project and examples of the art styles, check out the slideshow on the 5th grade page.

Sixth grade students are wrapping up their weavings. Each weaving is extremely impressive! Each one is unique and demonstrate their themes beautifully. Next, students are going to start one of my favorite projects: papier-mâché African masks! This project is messy but always tons of fun. It is a slow, lengthy process, but the results are bound to be phenomenal. If you have any light cardboard (tissue, cereal, granola boxes) or newspaper lying around, please start gathering it and sending it in to school so students will have supplies to build the armature for their masks. 

Now that the stained glass windows are complete, 7th grade artists are going to learn about Johann Gutenberg and the printing press. I took a book arts class in college and fell in love with the art of bookmaking and I am so excited to finally be able to share this passion of mine with my students! Students are going to practice several bookbinding techniques and create their own short stories. An email was sent out over the weekend for donations for this project - if you have not yet responsed to the sign-up genius, please do so, so this group can make cool art! Thank you to those who have already signed up to donate supplies!

Eighth grade artists are almost finished with their Gustav Klimt scratch art drawings. Once this project is over, students will learn about Pablo Picasso and his influence to 20th-century art. I am piloting a new Cubism project this year, combining still life and collage. I am looking forward to seeing the masterpieces these students will create -- this group never fails to impress!

Fifth and seventh grade Virtural Art Shows have been recently updated. Please take a look at them to see the beautiful artwork the students have worked so hard on! Sixth and eighth grade VAS' will be updated by the end of the term.

Happy art making!