This Valentine Op-Art lesson was inspired by the art of British artist Bridget Riley. I knew that the boys in my 5th grade class were not going to go for the traditional valentine project this year, so adding a heart to an Op-Art hand drawing seemed like the perfect compromise! I've done this project a few times now, and some of my 5th, 6th and 7th graders have … [Read more...]
Send a Handmade Postcard to Support the Arts
Show your support for the Arts with a handmade postcard! January’s #CMACIVICKIDS Digital Challenge is a Postcard Party. When you send a postcard to one of your elected officials with your original art on the front, your message is more likely to get noticed. And a self-portrait will make your communication even more personal! You’ll Need: *card stock (if you have … [Read more...]
Mix ‘n Match Faces
Each month brings a new challenge with the Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA) CIVIC KIDS campaign! Their theme for November is “Equity”…. perfect for election month, don’t you think?! equity noun 1 the equity of society: fairness, justness, impartiality, egalitarianism; objectivity, balance, open-mindedness." The challenge is open to kids everywhere… you don’t need to … [Read more...]
20 Interesting Facts about the Sistine Chapel
If you're reading this post, you're probably a person who enjoys learning about art and the artists who create it. Yet we all know people who don't share this interest, and may even find art history to be dry and boring (gasp!). Well, art history is anything but dry and boring if you know the stories behind the paintings! From DaVinci's Mona Lisa to the diverse works … [Read more...]
Mona Lisa – Fact or Fiction? 50 Fantastic Things to Know!
My students became experts on all things Mona Lisa the year we ‘adopted’ the Mona Lisa as our Art Class Mascot! For generations, the Mona Lisa has captivated the imaginations of young and old alike. Her mysterious smile hints that there is much we don't know about this painting, and the woman in it. But there is also a lot we do know... or at least we think we know! I was … [Read more...]
Light Has Come!
Religious paintings were a favorite subject of the Old Masters (trained European painters who worked between the mid 1400's to the early 1800's). In paintings from this time period, Jesus was often depicted with a glowing light that would radiate out from him. This example of the Nativity (or birth) of Christ by Dutch artist Gerard Van Honthorst (1622) is a great example of … [Read more...]
How Full Is Your Bucket?
The books that inspired this lesson have nothing to do with art, and the illustrations were not what attracted me! What I LOVE about these books is their message. And what better way to drive home a great message than with a fun art lesson??! Inspired by a bullying episode at my school, I saw this idea as a way to make a difference, so I had to try it. I figured if even one … [Read more...]
Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos Projects
Day of the Dead (or Dia de los Muertos) is right around the corner! Don't miss the opportunity to share this important cultural tradition with your students. Often misunderstood, this popular Mexican holiday honors ancestors and loved ones who have died, and is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. This family-centered holiday celebrates the cycle of … [Read more...]
“Day of the Dead Prints” inspired by Jose Posada
We had a blast at my Teach Kids Art: "Day of the Dead" workshop yesterday! I added a new project this year, "Day of the Dead Prints" - inspired by Jose Posada. Jose Posada (1852-1913) was a prolific Mexican folk artist and political satirist from Aguascallientes in central Mexico. Posada began learning lithography (a form of printmaking using a metal plate) at age 16. … [Read more...]
Keith Haring “Action Figures”
I found my inspiration for this lesson at Deep Space Sparkle. It's the end of the school year, and while this project looks fantastic on regular white paper, I needed to go a step further to really grab my 6th graders' attention! So, I created my sample on aluminum foil with colorful Sharpies. The result.... my students said this was their favorite art project this … [Read more...]
