Here is a peek into some Lower and Middle School art installations around campus. “Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse.
Kindergarten
MIXED 2D & 3D ART: In the beginning, there were three colors . . .Reds, Yellows, and Blues. All special in their own ways, all living in harmony―until one day, a Red says “Reds are the best!” and starts a color kerfuffle. When the colors decide to separate, is there anything that can change their minds? A Yellow, a Blue, and a never-before-seen color might just save the day in this inspiring book about color, tolerance, and embracing differences. After reading the story students created 2D artworks using the primary and secondary colors–creating their mixed characters! Afterwards, we sculpted 3D Mixed figures.
First Grade
HENRI MATISSE INSPIRED SNAILS: The first graders created these mixed-media collage snails inspired by the abstract artwork The Snail by Henri Matisse. It consists of a number of colored shapes arranged in a spiral pattern, as suggested by the title. The Snail is a major example of this final body of work. The piece is in the Tate Modern collection in London.
Second Grade
SOUTH AMERICAN MOLAS: As second grade students were learning about South America in the classroom, in art they learned about Molas. A hand-made textile that forms part of the traditional clothing of the indigenous Guna people from Panamá, Central America, Colombia, and South America. Here students took inspiration and simulated the many stitched layers of the Mola using layered paper designs.
Third Grade
UKRAINIAN PYSANKY EGGS: Pysanky as plural—is derived from the Ukrainian verb pysaty, which means “to write,” or in Ukrainian. So in this case, the word refers to the writing on the eggs. While many Christians might be familiar with dying Easter eggs with solid colors, Ukrainian Easter eggs often feature complex geometric and floral designs. After learning about these traditions students created their own inspired 2D version using the Ukrainian symbols and colors in their designs.
Fourth Grade
AFRICAN INSPIRED MASKS: Fourth grade students looked at a variety of African works of art, such as masks used in ceremonies for planting, harvesting, or hunting. Becoming familiar with examples of art from specific regions and peoples in Africa, such as Antelope headdresses of Mali, Sculptures by Yoruba artists in the city of Ife and Ivory carvings and bronze sculptures of Benin. Creating their own mask using symmetry and patterns.
Fifth Grade
JAPANESE CLOISONNÉ DESIGNS: Cloisonné are metallic objects made with intricate designs and artwork which have been a unique piece of art and creativity since ancient times. It is a unique way of designing metal objects with gemstones, glass materials, enamel paints and other decorative objects which make this art an edge over other handicraft materials. The decoration on the metal objects by initially adding comparisons to the metal objects with gold and silver wires. Once the soldering is done, they are finalized with enamel paints and then they are fired in a kiln. This piece of art has existed since ancient times and has been as old as since 13 century BCE.
Sixth Grade
NON-OBJECTIVE REPOUSSÉ DESIGNS: Repoussé (French) is a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief. Chasing or embossing is a similar technique in which the piece is hammered on the front side, sinking the metal. Sixth grade students created a non-objective design in the metal and then had to expand the design into the border.
Seventh Grade
ROBERT FROST INSPIRED BLOCK PRINTS: In English students were learning about American poet Robert Frost. Frost frequently wrote about settings from rural life in New England in the early 20th century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes. In art class students took inspiration and created textural nature designs and carved into a linoleum block and created multiple prints.
Eighth Grade
CLAES OLDENBURG POP ART FOOD SCULPTURES: Grade 8 learned about artist Claes Oldenburg a Swedish-born American sculptor, best known for his public art installations typically featuring large replicas of everyday objects. Students were tasked to select a “pop art” food item and engineer how to bring it to life!
