Senufo Cloth Paintings

Fifth Grade students created simplified animals and filled them with geometric designs inspired by the Senufo people of the Ivory Coast in Africa. These types of paintings are usually painted on cloth. At one time, the Senufo people believed these cloth paintings would bring them good luck if they wore the cloth while hunting. Today, the cloth is mainly made to sell to tourists.

More William H. Johnson Studies

2nd grade Study of William H. Johnson

Second grade students looked at artwork by famous African-American artist William H. Johnson. Students noticed that Johnson did not try to make his artwork look real, in fact, his artwork looks very flat. Students noticed that there was always a story being told in his artwork. Many of his paintings show everyday actions and situations. Students drew themselves performing some action in the flat style of William H. Johnson. They they colored their drawings with bright, bold colors, as Johnson tended to do. Finally, they outlined their shapes in black since this is something that Johnson did in many of his paintings.

5th Grade Japanese Sumi-E paintings

Fifth Grade students learned that Sumi-E means ink picture. This is a traditional Japanese style of painting. Artists practice their brushstrokes for years before painting actual pictures. The goal of Sumi-E painting is not to paint a realistic representation of an object, but to capture its spirit or soul in the painting. Students practiced three kinds of brushstrokes and then used those techniques to paint bamboo, a traditional subject of Sumi-E paintings.

Jasper Johns Alphabet Art

Kindergarten students discovered the artwork of American Artist Jasper Johns. They saw that he often painted with letters and numbers. Students listened to what letter or number was called out and then painted that letter or number. The following week students painted the background with watercolor paints. Finally, they used black marker to create interesting lines. The last step was to add glitter to a few places on their paper. They loved the glitter!

Shape Robots

Once again, 1st graders created robots out of shapes after discovering shapes in everyday objects. They drew their robots with the intention that their robot would help them with something. Then they painted their robots with tempera cakes.

More masks

African Masks

2nd Grade students looked at masks from Africa in honor of Black History Month. Students discussed reasons for making and wearing masks and the common themes we saw in the various masks.

Students their own African inspired mask with cardboard, tin foil and permanent markers.

Wire sculptures

4th grade students looked at artwork by Steve Lohman and discussed how simple his people were. They noticed that though his sculptures didn't have many details, he was able to convey movement and what it was exactly that the person was doing. Students experimented using Twisteez wire and then sculpted a person doing some sort of movement. Students were able to make props with pieces of cardboard. Many students found sculpting with wire to be challenging, but once they got the hang of it, they were able to create very convincing people.

Wire sculptures

Cute little clay birds

Clay Birds

2nd Grade students used clay to create clay birds. They learned vocabulary associated with clay such as pinch pot, kiln, firing, 3-dimensional, etc. They discussed where clay comes from and things that are made out of clay. They learned that people have been using clay for thousands of years.

More Tar Beach Pics

Tar Beach

Third Grade students read "Tar Beach" by famous African-American artist and author Faith Ringgold. Students discussed what their are for the future. Then they drew themselves flying over their dream, as a way to make it happen, just like the main character did in the book.