Polly Apfelbaum Inspired Ceramic Tiles

If you read my bio, you would know that becoming an Art Teacher was a childhood dream of mine. I didn't take a direct path, but each step shaped the teacher that I am today.  There are so many exciting things happening the Art World... how do you keep up? I have a great support system and professional learning network that inspire and support me.

Recently, we all attended the Missouri Art Education Association Spring Conference in Kansas City.  The Kemper Museum had an exhibit by Polly Apfelbaum! WOW! The color, shapes and patterns were eye candy!  After researching and seeking out more of Polly's Art and Exhibitions... I found these amazing abstract tiles she did for an exhibition titled, "The Potential of Women." I knew the children would love her inspiration and they are pure color joy!

We looked at Polly Apfelbaum's work and were inspired. The children worked with clumps of clay that they wedged and rolled out like sugar cookie dough. They were able to choose from many different texture plates, create coils and cut out shapes.  I fired the greenware and allowed Kinders to have a blast with glaze. We used Amaco Crystaltex glazes along with Stroke & Coat. 

I hope you find inspiration in Polly's work. Our tiles will be a permanent installation in honor of one of our retirees. 

Communal Weaving Project - Temporary Fiber Arts Studio

Our first Fine Arts Night at Willow Brook was a celebration of Art in our Community, so we invited artists and crafters to come set up and share their process and works with our families. It was a great evening, we had author/illustrators, film editors, interior designers, ceramists and fine art painters and more...

The students had hands on opportunities with keyboards, orchestra instruments and our Communal Weaving Project.

I have the most amazing grandfather at Willow Brook.  He has two grandsons who I adore, and I don't want them to graduate from Willow Brook! Mr. H is an AMAZING talent. He takes my pinball ideas and brings them to life! This year, I wanted a hands-on fiber arts project for our students and he had it complete in less than 2 weeks.  He designed, painted and built a frame for chicken wire and created a temporary base that will be removed so that it can hang as a permanent work Art in our building. 

With the base, it stands vertically and children are able to work on it from both sides.  The project is 4'x6' and was a success at Fine Arts Night.  Currently, we have it as a temporary center in our Art Studio.  The children are loving it! I have children that come during their recess time to work on it! They are making their mark with sewing notions, ribbon and yarn.

Our communal artwork is an explosion of color and texture! When the piece is completed, it will be a permanent work of Art in our building.

Corner views of the Willow Brook Art Studio

Here is our current state of mind... 

Our studio has gone through a few transformations... We had a traditional set up that was teacher-centered. My furniture addiction has had us upgrade to dining room sets and unique pieces that are reminiscent of home. I want our space to be comfortable and inspiring. I have a few ideas coming to life this summer. (I can NOT wait!) We will have fresh paint and our affinity for pattern and color will be present!

We have Drawing, Painting, Collage, Weaving, Ceramics open- all are modified a bit.  Have a great weekend!

End of the School Year in Art! Transition to Modified Studios

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, one way I try to keep things running smoothly is to "close" down full TAB and transition to modified choices. Here's a list of what we have open.

1. Drawing with all materials available
2. Collage

3. Painting with tempera only on recycled papers (our recycled papers are unclaimed/no name artwork)
4. Community Weaving Board
5. Building Bricks (legos)
6. Architecture
7. Open studio (teacher selected art traps)

Children are allowed to choose from the above list. They should have their sketchbooks with them at all times. I have some step by step sheets for students in case they need them.  I hope you find them helpful and can get full links here: http://bit.ly/twistbracelet and http://bit.ly/CHarperstuffie

Our Art studio has 10 iPad minis and we have "sets" set up for Stop-Motion. Key is to NOT MOVE THE CAMERA! They are exploring and learning. Next year, this will be a studio we open early.  I love the natural collaboration that takes place.

STEAM is a mix of one person hands-on activities from a wonderful grant that we received from the Pattonville Education Foundation.  We have a light board, magnablocks, emido building materials and other great things from Amazon.  In STEAM and ARCHITECTURE, students are supposed to photograph their creations.  From our grant, we added building bricks (imitation Legos) and they are a hit! I would highly suggest purchasing the window and wheel packs. I love seeing what my students have created!

FIBER ARTS we have friendship bracelets and hand-sewing stuffies.

I never really "close" drawing, painting and collage, but there is a natural transition to the "new" pre-set materials that make me feel less like a cleaning lady.