Welcome Back!

Election Day, Norman Rockwell, 1944

Welcome back to school!

This summer, I went to Monet's garden in Giverny, sketched at the Louvre and the Musee D'Orsay, and wandered around the streets in Montmartre where Toulouse Lautrec, Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh all found inspiration.  I feel inspired and ready to start art class!

I am excited for the new year, and I hope you will follow our art blog to keep track of what our student artists are creating.

With the upcoming presidential election, our 5-8th graders will be having a special art show to celebrate the inauguration.  I will be collaborating with Ms. Gow and Mrs. Edwards to align lessons with what they are learning in social studies and writing.  We will look at famous artwork inspired by politics, and we will discuss how art can give people a voice to express their views.

I also plan to work on strengthening a growth mindset in each of our students.  This was a goal I made last year when I noticed many students feeling frustrated as we prepared for the spring art show.  By changing the way they approach projects, I hope that they will find even more success and will love coming to art class.  I found this video very inspiring as I planned:  Teaching Art or Teaching to Think Like an Artist

As for our other students, I am equally excited to work with them on projects that will build skills and knowledge to get them excited about art.  Each grade level has a different theme, but all grade levels will work on basic color theory, composition, proper use of art materials and creative problem-solving.

Kindergarten:  The Art of Picture Books
1st Grade:  Cultural Art
2nd Grade:  Famous Artists and Paintings
3rd Grade:  The Art of Chicago
4th Grade:  The Renaissance

Our Kindergarten and 1st grade classes are large and full of energy.  With our hands-on and often messy art projects, I have asked for volunteers to sign up to come help during the 1:40-2:40 hour.  Jen Bowers will have a sign-up through this link: Volunteer Spot . (THANK YOU, JEN!) Come join the fun!

Let's make some art!

Pointillism Practice in Grade 3

First Grade Papyrus Paintings

Kindergarteners making paper from recycled paper after reading The Lorax

Aaron Douglas Layered Storytelling Paintings

Aaron Douglas, Aspects of Negro Life:  From Slavery Through Reconstruction,  1934

The fifth graders are finishing up their 10 week course on American Art.  I modeled the second half of the course after the current Art Institute of Chicago exhibition that showcases art by Grant Wood, Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper and Aaron Douglas.  When we got to Aaron Douglas and the Harlem Renaissance, I couldn't find any lesson plans I liked online.  I decided to have the students study his work and to find common elements.  We picked 4 goals to make work in his style:  a monochromatic color scheme, concentric circles highlighting a focal point, silhouettes telling a story, and three distinct layers of value.  I had them choose a struggle for people in common current events, and I let them choose from a list of topics or come up with their own.  This was complex for 5-8th graders, but they had some strong work.  Here are some samples that impressed me!

One more by Aaron Douglas that was an inspiration to the students.

Maryann, Grade 8

Jackie, Grade 8:  Showing a bridge going over the Mexico/US border and a political rally.

Giana, Grade 5:  Showing refugees seeking homes.

Kevin, Grade 5:  Showing a bald eagle overcoming Donald Trump

Aria, Grade 5:  Showing Hillary Clinton speaking to a crowd.

K-2 Student-Curated Art Show

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the arts with our K-2nd grade artists in Pilsen this weekend.  We had a great turnout, and it was such a memorable experience for us to offer the kids.  Thanks to the parents who helped organize, promote, and facilitate the show, especially Edyta Stepien and Janette Gilmartin.  Here are some photos of the event!

Kings, Queens, Turtles and Trees

The art filled the entire space!

Aleena, Grade 1

Kyle's Family helps him hang his turtle.

Thumbs-up from Xander

Proud Parker

Aiden placed his turtle at eye-level.

Heavy hammer!

Alejandro and Maks side-by-side

Caden is hanging his monster with Logan's

Logan's mom and dad helped him out.

Lincoln and his dad are placing his name tag

These two, still side-by-side!

Malacchi's brothers watched him hang his work.

Ava with her sparkle-covered king and her hand-made crown, looking proud.

Greta made a fancy crown.

First grade face painting

Caroline made two:  one for herself and one for her American Girl doll.

Alexa showing her teddy bear where her turtle is hanging...

Great Gallery Space

Jonny and Ethan making crowns at the craft table

Jacob and Jamie found stamps.

Aiden made a super-hero mask.

Lincoln and Mom posing with his king

Brenna painting Olive

Magdalena and Lila with Lila's Queen

Sophia with a hammer!

Sadie and her mom with her turtle

Art Show Stars

Congratulations to the Art Show winners:  Lily, Zitlhaly, and Monica!

Our annual art show was a great success!  The 3-8th graders' exhibits looked fantastic, and the judges were impressed with them all.  Martha Dunfee, Tamia Rodriguez, Kimani Glasper, Maryann Espinosa,  Giana Canieso, Amanda Hurtado and Leo Kupriyanov all received rave reviews from the judges.  The winners were:  Lily Masters in first place, Zitlhaly Cardenas in second, and Monica Rivas in third.  Below are photos of their stellar work and of the event.  The Poetry Slam is a great addition to the show, demonstrating our students' writing and performing arts skills.  Winners Sydni Nicholson, Jaiden Perez, Leo Kupriyanov and Aliya Segura impressed us all with their powerful words and delivery.  Congratulations, artists!

Lily Masters, First Place

Zitlhaly Cardenas, Second Place

Monica Rivas, Third Place