Hello from the Art Room! The students are doing great work! Here is an update by grade of what they are up to: Grade 3 have completed their Autumn Still Life painting using watercolor pencils on watercolor paper. I am truly amazed at how beautiful they look. I have created a display on the orange bulletin board across from the office next to the caf. They can also be viewed on Artsonia. The 3rd grades have also completed 3-D bird sculptures in the style of artist Niki De Ste. Phalle. These colorful and whimsical birds are really beautiful and fun. They are going on display in the glass case in the foyer. Some classes are already on view. Look for them on Artsonia soon. Grade 4 students learned about what it takes to make a 'clean print' with clear registration. They had to add just the right amount of ink, hold the paper steady while printing, and apply even pressure across the whole surface. They did a great job. It is always exciting to flip your paper over and see the image 'magically appear'. These images will also be available on Artsonia soon. The 4th grades have started our next unit focusing on Native American Art. They are looking at Zuni Animal carvings and choosing one animal to sculpt out of clay. We will be glazing them and accessorizing them in the Zuni style. In addition they will be creating a canvas bag with an image of their animal painted on it. These are really cute! Grade 5 students completed their tonal study collages of orchids. These detailed collages incorporate light, medium and dark values or tonal ranges of one color family. They are mounted on a vertical format. They are currently working on a project inspired by the art of Portugal in recognition of the many Portuguese explorers. (They are studying world explorers in social studies) This unit has a 3-Dimensional and 2-Dimensional component. For the 3-D part, they sculpted 'Portuguese Roosters' out of clay which will be colorfully glazed in the Portuguese style. They are also making 2-D painted portraits of their roosters using gouache paint and creating origami frames to house them. I am very excited about this new unit! Grade 6 students finished their 'Cursive Name Creatures' and they can now be viewed on Artsonia. I have collaborated with the Spanish teachers on their current project: 'Calaveras', which are skeletons inspired by decorations for the Mexican holiday 'The Day of the Dead'. They are learning about this holiday as a cultural component in Spanish class. The skeletons all have unique personalities. Look for them on the display shelves in the school foyer ! Just a reminder: Please log on to your student's Artsonia account and make sure your email is correct. We have been getting some messages that we have some expired emails. Also, it is never too late to join Artsonia! If you are new to the school, or new to Artsonia, you can download a permission slip from the Spofford Pond website and bring it in to me or Mrs. Dalton. Also, now would be a great time to order products from Artsonia decorated with your student's artwork to have for holiday gifts! The art department receives 15% of the profits of these sales which goes right back into our program. Lastly, please consider sending your student to school with a smock on art day. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. An old, oversized shirt works great. All the best, Mrs. Davis | 
News from the Art Room
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