Grant Award

Happy to announce that we won another grant recently! I wrote a grant requesting funds to purchase a ware cart to slow the drying process of student clay. This cart will provide students additional time to sculpt their clay and we will discuss humidity, evaporation, and absorption during the lessons. The cart is large enough to store clay from all classes in one location. The vinyl cover can be removed and replaced easily, and the wheels allow the cart to be rolled into a storage room for additional safe keeping. I would like to say thank you to the Rotary Club of West Stanly! Students will benefit from this grant for many years. Also, thank you to the School Specialty company too!

Drawing Celebrities

My eighth grade art students learned about the importance of using values while drawing. A successful drawing will give the illusion of a 3D image. The light source in a drawing was also discussed. They initially drew a portrait before learning about these tools. The final drawing was used to assess their learning. Art was then displayed above the main hall inside twenty frames. I am always amazed at the level of talent that my students display. It is always a joy to teach students that want to learn more about drawing and painting.

Scratch Art Trees

7^th grade students learned about addition and subtraction techniques while using scratch art. Mark making was also discussed and students were introduced to the artwork by Cy Twombly. Students then used a stylus to create original art focused on fall trees. Students were encouraged to be patient and to build on their mark making. If a student thought a correction was needed, a sharpie allowed them to add or return the area to the original value. The results were impressive, and I am often inspired by their art!

Halloween Locker Art

8^th grade art students enjoyed created shocking lockers for Halloween. Students folded paper into the shape of their locker and then gave viewers a clue on the door for what might be found inside. This could be funny, scary, or even a pleasant surprise. This is also a great way to practice for their annual ARTalympics locker shocker event. I'm proud of their hard work, talent, and imagination! Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Thankful to our awesome PTO for helping the art program over the years. Our kiln helps bring color to student clay and our new pottery wheel allows them to experience this technique. Now our new display case allows students to exhibit their art in a professional manner. Thank you again for supporting the arts! Happy Halloween!

 

Kinetic Art and Charcoal Trees

My students have been looking forward to this kinetic art based on the artist Yaacov Agam. Agamographs can be difficult especially if a student has had little practice with a ruler. There is a bit of measuring involved and my 8th grade students learned fast after some practice. First, two images are drawn, colored and then cut into one inch strips. They are then glued onto folded paper that will serve as the support while on display. Whenever my office door is open I enjoy hearing comments in the hall like, "Those are cool!" and "How did they do that?"
The charcoal drawings are always a fun project too. I remind students to add and subtract charcoal in order to create the different values. The charcoal can be messy but they enjoy seeing their work on display.

September Creations

The new school year has started and students are doing a great job of making art. Henri Matisse said "Creativity takes courage." so I encourage them to be creative and to use their imagination. I'm proud of their efforts and I tell them this daily. Below are examples of their clay coiled pots, clay monsters, and a color wheel.

May the 4th Be With You.

I may have had a little fun preparing for May the 4th. Over the years this date has become known as Star Wars Day so you might hear someone say, "May the fourth be with you." Our school has been preparing for this day by hanging banners and artwork on doors. My students have been studying the Vikings so they were using paper mache to build their own wearable helmets. I decided to demonstrate the use of paper mache by working right along with them. Instead of a Viking helmet, I created the helmet worn by my favorite Star Wars character Boba Fett. Most of my sculpting work was done after school so any left over paper mache and cardboard was used to assemble the bounty hunter's helmet and backpack. Some of my students are dedicated Star Wars fans so they were allowed to try on the helmet and the backpack. My goal was to have fun and to inspire students to be creative.

Spring into Summer Art

My students have created art for both spring and summer. 6th grade students created art for our main hallway that is all about spring weather. 8th grade students created original surfboard art for the art hallway. Only a few weeks until summer!

Easter Mosaics

My students studied the mosaics created by the Romans. Students were then encouraged to be creative and design their own mosaics using cut paper. The process is time consuming and requires both patience and planning. I'm very proud of their artwork and I think they enjoyed this project too.