The Mystery Box Challenge

Our first week back to school started off with an awesome game for the 4th - 6th graders.  Each team was given a mystery box full of supplies.  They had half an hour to create something amazing using everything in the box.  Here is a video to watch these incredible young artists at work and to see the super ideas that they came up with.  

https://youtu.be/rSpYNFmtOa8?list=PLsoFE8aVnBT3rQKSFfrsa3bRliEapxYxV

Flash Back Friday

What would you do if you were given a blank white circle?  Last may we had a contest to find out what ideas the 4th - 6th graders could come up with.  They got pretty creative.  Here are just a few of their ideas. https://youtu.be/Fl2vA4eJ3Bg

Chalk & Glue Mandalas

I found this great project on the Art of Education website and I plan to do it with almost all my students to kick off the year.

A mandala is a complex abstract design that is usually circular in form. In fact, "mandala" is a Sanskrit word that means "circle". Mandalas generally have one identifiable center point, from which emanates an array of symbols, shapes and forms. Mandalas can contain both geometric and organic forms. They can also contain recognizable images that carry meaning for the person who is creating it.  In essence, mandalas represent the connection between our inner worlds and    outer reality. Designing your own mandalas can be both inspirational and therapeutic.
Here is a link to the Art of Education Website https://www.theartofed.com/

And here is the video of the project.  Try it at home.  https://youtu.be/R5AbGQ7Tf-0

Can't Wait To Create!

Here is a sneak preview for the upcoming year!!!

For Kindergarten & 1st Grade
https://youtu.be/4Gg9MRBev2E

For 2nd & 3rd Grade
https://youtu.be/4vprRGL13qM?list=PLsoFE8aVnBT3rQKSFfrsa3bRliEapxYxV

For 4th - 6th Grade
https://youtu.be/5s8kXKXWuUU

For the Junior High
https://youtu.be/IBo8StZ6dt0

A Visit From Martha Kelly

Martha Kelly is an painter, printmaker, and illustrator from Memphis, Tennessee.  I met Martha Kelly last fall, when I was walking through the Dixon Galleries with my daughter.  Some of her amazing work was on display at the time. Seeing her sketching in the corner, I walked over to watch and we struck up a conversation about art, and her work which led ultimately to a conversation about my job. This week she came and spoke to the  5th & 6th grade girls about her work and she allowed them to look through her art journals. She carries these journals with her as she travels the world and is constantly working in them. The girls were delighted to see her postcard perfect sketches and water colors. Martha even gave us a sneak peek at some of the work that she intends to display at her next show. It was such a treat to visit with her, and the girls are very inspired.  If you want to know more about Martha Kelly you can visit her blog  http://www.marthakellyart.com/

A Visit to the Brooks Museum of Art

The 5th & 6th grade boys visited the Brooks Museum of Art today and had a wonderful time.  We were greeted by several docents, who led us on a tour of the galleries and took us outside to see some of the sculptures that surround the Museum.  After our tour we went to the studio to create low relief landscapes using fun foam, glue and markers.  Here is a short video highlighting some of the best moments of our field trip.

https://youtu.be/qX8NhvPGR84?list=PLsoFE8aVnBT1t4wDHeQk0Fj-saWnHx9Z_

Building Sculptures

Our 4th - 6th graders have just finished a very long unit on sculptures.  The children really let their creativity shine as they created Abstract Sculptures out of paper, Enchanted Objects out of clay and Festive Creations out of recycled materials. Here is a video so that you can watch our young artists at work.  

https://youtu.be/fP7ib_vVWsk