5th graders are finishing up their animal drawings with transforming objects inside.  We were inspired by the artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo and how he would fill portraits with fruits, vegetables and other objects.  

1st graders have been creating African Masks the last few weeks.  We started by using paper and cutting out layers of paper to create the different parts of the mask.  Then we worked on creating an African mask using clay.  Students carved or added clay to make the different parts of the face and mask.  We will be painting the masks next week for the last day of art!

The 2nd grade art class has been learning how we use symbols in art to show who we are and what is important to us.  Students have been learning about ancient Egypt and mummies!  We have fun playing the MummyMaker game.  Students are working in groups to create a mummy case with many heiroglyphics (symbols). 

The 3rd graders have been learning how different cultures make artwork to reflect and preserve their culture.  Students are making Molas inspired by art from the Kuna people of the San Blas Islands of Panama.  We are making the molas using many colors and layers of felt.  Each student chose an animal as the main design on the mola and then cut out many other shapes to overlap in other places around and on top of the animal.

4th graders are weaving using a cardboard loom.  We looked at a video on how some weavers still shear sheep and use the wool to make yarn.  Then they weave rugs or blankets to sell.  It's an amazing process and takes lots of time and patience.  These are 2 things the 4th graders are learning as well.  Check out some of the work below.

1st graders have been learning about masks and looking at many different kinds of masks.  We talked about how we make masks to hide, protect or cover our faces.  Students got to choose a mask design and use paint, feathers, gems and glitter to decorate it.  They are so excited to take them home and wear them!

The 2nd graders have been learning about how many artists use symbols in their work to represent something.  We looked at the Pacific Northwest Native people and how they create totem poles with different animal symbols that represent their families or tribe.  Students drew 4 different animal designs that would represent their families.  After that, they created a totem pole out of clay and attached or carved the animal designs into the clay.  Here are the totem poles with the 1st coat of paint!

3rd graders have been working on a batik cloth design in art class.  We looked at Batik cloth and the wax and dye technique they use in Indonesia.  Each student was able to create a design with either patterns and shapes or something from nature.  Last week we dyed all the cloth in different colors.  Here are some of the beautifully colored cloths!

The 4th graders practiced some different Greek patterns and designs to use on their Greek pots.  Students could choose if they wanted it to be all geometric (with patterns and shapes) or if they wanted it to be story-telling and geometric (show something that is happening today). Students used sharpie markers to draw and color in the designs on their clay pots. We have a great variety of different sizes and types of Greek pots!

5th graders have been working on drawing objects to make them look real.  We learned how to draw using correct proportion and value.  Each student chose an animal as the subject matter of their final drawing.  Inside the animal, they are transforming one or two ordinary objects.  Check out some of the progress so far!