Yay for Clay Day!

Many grade levels are working on a clay project this week in the Muddy Brook art studio.  First graders are sculpting community members for their collage town, third graders are making miniature food or revisiting the mirror project for another go.  Fourth grade learned about contemporary artist Kimmy Cantrell and made textured mask like faces. 

We are using up old clay that has been in the kiln room longer than I have been teaching here (six years).  The clay needed to be reconditioned and softened and I've been working on that since the winter.  It's a lot of work, but worth it to see how excited artists are about using earth clay.  All the work areas need to be wiped down constantly to keep the dust under control and keep our studio healthy.  We also like to run our fantastic electric kiln only when it is absolutely full, as I am mindful of energy use. 

Most of these projects will be finished with alternatives to glaze, as our glaze color palette is limited and students will need many options to realize their big plans!  I predict many ceramics will be on display in the upcoming art show May 28th - may 31st.

 First Graders made figures for their community.

 3rd Graders were extremely creative with their miniature food!

Pre-K's creatures

 Fourth Grade masks, each one is unique!

Hello Dear Blog

Hello Dear Blog!
I haven't visited the blog to share the great learning happening in the studio for too long!  Instagram has become an easier way to share art studio happenings.  You can follow our studio learning adventures and my art teacher life at @Aliteachesart.  I never post pictures of kid's faces without parent permission, but I DO post pictures of my pets occasionally. So much is happening in the art studio.  Artists are in the middle of building skills and perseverance with sewing in the older grades and younger students are exploring big ideas.  I am amazingly proud of the problem solving and creativity of our Muddy Brook artists!  This year I have focused on teaching solving problems and knowing that an artist's vision doesn't happen immediately, and artists embrace failure as part of the process of creating.  Artists experiment, ask what if? and artists make plans and change their plans.  Along with building skills and having fun with learning, students are embracing the creative process!

 1st Graders are adding a playground and park to their "Collage Town".

 Sewing with sharp needles is tricky to learn and 3rd and 4th graders are persevering!

 Look at these pillows!

 

Our youngest artists build skills each week by creating at open-ended studio centers.

"Cut and Glue Collage is a favorite of many!

Ceramics and Heart Art

Greetings from the art studio!  Students have been busy bees learning and creating ceramics projects and now we are doing some heart themed skill builders, which always look so festive in February.  Follow me on Instagram at aliteachesart as I am more apt to add a photo or two on Instagram rather than update the blog.  During clay and paint days we do whole class instruction, so I forget to capture images.  The littler artists have teaching assistants, that's why I take more photos with those classes!  All classes are doing great work!  Scroll down for some quick pics of student work, and stay warm today!  Brrrrr!  love, Ms. B

 First Grader Heart Art with tints and shades.

 Second Grader Ceramic Fish Sculptures, corner backgrounds folded and ready for display.

 The kiln is ready to be unloaded!  PK Hearts and wall hangings, 1st grade pockets.

4th grade coil pots waiting for the kiln.