4th grade Hopi Kachinas

We painted and sculpted our own kachina figures based on Hopi dolls. Ogres and benevolent power figures appeared in the art room. We used everything...papier mache, model magic, cardboard, feathers, bendaroos and more. Students had to figure out which materials would work best for their individual designs. When the designing and building was finished, 4th graders wrote imaginative profiles of the characters they created.
Now, I really want to visit Arizona in search of Hopi culture! Thank you, 4th graders...

Painting on Wednesdays

I've really enjoyed the nine young artists who stay after school to make magical, expressive paintings. Shown above are still life paintings by Eve and Walker. We looked at Cezanne but I think a Matisse vibe entered the room.

Accordian Books Inspired by Native American Art

4th Grade looked at a wide variety of images of Native American art. They made books using drawing, stenciled patterns and collage. We talked about Hopi Kachinas and cosmological power in Native American art. Students noticed pattern on Zuni pottery. Some students got motivated when they discovered that figures woven into cloth reminded them of contemporary game characters because of the stylized geometry of their shapes.

Three Grants Funded

I'm happy to spread the news that three small materials grants through donorschoose.org that I wrote this summer have been fully funded.
Kindergarten and pre-K will be creating paintings and sculptures inspired by classic fairy tales, third grade will once again embark on making the Chinese warriors and fourth grade will look at Inuit drawings and Hopi kachinas for a painting and sculpting unit based on Native American art making practices. These grants help the entire school by augmenting the art budget.

Tap, tap, tap, spread, spread, spread...

...like putting jelly on some bread... This is the beginning of the rhyme I say when teaching the youngest students in our school about our glue brushes. Kindergarten started their collage unit with a reading of "It Looked Like Spilt Milk". They made torn paper collages using black and white papers. Next project, we'll move into color. Thank you to Suzie, Stella's Mom and an art educator colleague for some great tips and ideas, like tearing the paper behind my back and asking the children what action they think is making the sound that they hear.

Photos: Dmitry Gubin

Sshhhh.....

I've taught at PS 154 for four years now and have not shown my own art to my students or the school community. So, it's about time! Here is an image of an encaustic painting...

New School Year and New Art Studio!

Welcome back! This year the art studio has moved to room 302. Climb the stairs and enjoy the bright autumn light streaming through our huge windows.