Scroll-A-Thon!

The Scroll-A-Thon is here!!! More to come...

Fourth Grade Animal Heads

Fourth graders are working on a papier mache sculpture project.  We were inspired by the work of artist AJ Fosik.  He uses wood to create really interesting relief pieces. 

 We are making animal heads out of recycled materials. 

Students chose an animal whose character traits resemble their own.

First, we sketched out a plan from the front and the side.  

Then we created a structure of recycled materials and masking tape.

Next, we are covering them with papier mache. 

Keep checking here for the next stage of this project!

Kandinsky Trip!

The last part of our second grade music and art Kandinsky study was a trip to the Guggenheim to see his work.  The students did a spectacular job at the museum. Here are some examples of their work from the trip. It was a blast. Thanks to Brogan Ganley, our visiting artist for this unit!

click on the image to see it larger



Here are some additional drawings done in the rotunda gallery:



Thanks to the Arts and Multicultural Committee for setting up this trip for us!

4Fives Transformative Upcycling Installation!

The 4Fives are working on an installation for their classroom.  We wanted to transform something into art, so we looked at the work of Tara Donovan.  She uses simple materials to make extraordinary work.  If you don't know her, check out her website. She is one of my favorite sculptors. For our installation, we are using toilet paper rolls. Here is what one 4Five artist wrote about the project:

The 4Fives are learning all about upcycling. Upcycle means that you can’t throw away like boxes or paper towel rolls because you should make them into something better that you can use.

So we went to the art room to make an upcycling project with Bee and Ms.Kimball. We went inside the art room and Ms.Kimball showed us what were going to do.  We used toilet paper rolls.  We cut them into small circles. Then we painted the circles in different colors.  We painted a million circles and this month we are going to put them together and make an art installation in our classroom.

Oh and while we were painting we put music on.  After we finished, we washed our hands, because our hands had a lot of paint on them. So we washed with soap and we washed with water. It was a lot of fun.

John

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!

I have so many things to update on the blog! I promise to post this week about the 2nd grade Kandinsky trip, 4th grade sculpture projects, 5th grade characters and more!! Until then, here is the newsletter for the month of January.  I am very excited about the visiting artist project that we have going this month.  Thanks to Bee Ladd and the 4Fives for getting it going!

Studio 220 Newsletter: January 2010

 

Happy New Year! We have a lot going on in the studio this month in addition to our regular curriculum.  One very exciting project is called the Scroll-A-Thon.  I am super excited about this collaborative project because it involves all students in grades 1 to 5.  Two Brooklyn artists, Steven and William Ladd (brothers of Bee) will be coming in throughout the next three weeks to work with every class.  The Scroll-A-Thon will incorporate drawings, text, photographs and sculpture.  Steven and William will be working with the students to think about how one artist can influence and collaborate with another.  The finished project will include a multi-media installation and an artist book.  I am thrilled to be working with all of the students on this! Check out Steven and William’s website to see some of their work.  Or, if you want to see it in person, take a walk down to The Invisible Dog gallery on Bergen Street and check out the chandelier that they created as a permanent installation in the space.  It will be great!

 

In addition to the Scroll-A-Thon, here is what we are also working on:

First Grade: First graders are finishing up their clay pots.  They created pinch pots with animal-head lids.  We have sculpted them, and just need to complete painting.  Keep your eyes out for an exhibition in the lobby at the end of the month.

 

Second Grade: Second graders are continuing to build 3D forms from paper.  They are using paper to create a three dimensional sculpture of their own play-space.  For inspiration, check out one of my favorite blogs: playgrounddesigns.blogspot.com.

 

Third Grade: Third graders will begin a painting unit.  We will work on experimenting with watercolor paints and watercolor resist.  Students will then create work from their imagination and from life.

 

Fourth Grade: Fourth graders continue to work on their sculpture project.  We are looking at the work of AJ Fosik and creating large animal heads out of papier mache and cut paper.  We are thinking about how Native Americans believed that animals represented and had personality traits.  Each student will choose an animal whose “personality” is similar to his or her own.  They will then create a relief sculpture to represent their animal.

 

Fifth Grade: Fifth graders will be visited by another artist this month in addition to Steven and William. We will work on an abstraction project with painter Collette Taber. Fifth graders also continue to develop their imaginary characters and are working on creating Tunnel Books.

 

More on the Scroll-A-Thon as it develops!

MK