You can learn a lot about a culture from its art! When I visited Haiti, I learned that the Haitian people are both resilient and resourceful. Their resourcefulness is very evident in their art. One example of Haitian resourcefulness is the nature collage cards they make and sell. They gather local organic materials which they use to create simple scenes of everyday … [Read more...]
Make a Foil Cross Project Inspired by Haitian Metal Art
What is Haitian Metal Art? Haitian metal art is recognized worldwide as a creative, unique art form. It's made from recycled oil drums, which the artists open up, pound flat, and cut into metal "canvases". Designs are typically drawn first onto cardboard and then traced with chalk onto the metal. Then they use hammer and chisel to cut their designs out of the metal. … [Read more...]
Houses for Haiti Lesson Plan
Two amazing teachers in Florida came up with a creative idea to raise money for Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. After discovering their "Haiti Houses" on the internet, I was inspired to try it for myself and make a few changes. Below is my version of this project. Objectives: Students will choose a worthy cause to support, such as supporting an orphanage or rebuilding … [Read more...]
Kids Express Themselves with Art
These are just a few of the amazing paintings done by children in the tent cities of Haiti, on the anniversary of the earthquake.Sometimes I get so caught up in the academics and "mechanics" of teaching art (the elements, principles, and "how to's") that I forget the importance of art as a means of self-expression. On my recent trip to Haiti, I was enormously blessed to get to … [Read more...]
Haitian-Inspired Foil Cross
This project was inspired by the metal art of Haiti, and makes a great project for Easter... or anytime! I'll be doing this with children in a couple of orphanages in Haiti next week. I'll try to post some pictures when I get back! "Foamies" and 3M foil tape are the secret ingredients for this project! You can buy these thin sheets of foam in a 9x12 size at … [Read more...]