Geez, Louise, where to even begin ... This month has been so busy and so FULL of creative educational activity in the art room, that I only hope I can fill y'all in on (at least!) the majority of it!
As most of you know, we operate in a choice based fashion in my classroom, and because the third quarter will be heavy in note-taking, research, assessment, and studying for EoC's, I wanted to make sure that the JWJ artists got their heart''s fill of all-out, art-making experiences this past nine weeks.
Several students in 6th and 7th periods went hard into ceramics, and I could not be prouder of their progress. Between mastering how to slip and score their bits and pieces together, these artists went above and beyond by completing functional, utilitarian projects not only for their own enjoyment, but also right in time for the holiday gift-giving season. I don't know about the rest of you, but there is nothing more special to me than opening up a present that someone made for me by hand.
A piece of ourselves goes into each and every creation we make, this is part of the magic of ART!
You might remember checking out the portrait unit we completed last month. One of the most fascinating and enjoyable bonuses about working with and educating students at the middle school age is watching them discover more about themselves and the humans they are in the process of becoming. All of the JWJ artists grasped the concept and objectives on facial proportion and anatomy... The part you don't always get to see, however, is what each student takes away from those lessons after the standards and curriculum are carried out. Now that they know HOW to accurately depict the likeness of a person, where will they take this knowledge and what masterpieces will they create as a result ?!!?! A lot of students on the brink of adolescence use ART as their vehicle for self-expression and personal discovery. I absolutely LOVE being witness to the masterpieces these talented and curious artists create on a daily basis. |
Researching art history from across the globe is great, we know this well. There is also a plethora of influence to be gained from learning about local artists in our very own city who are alive and working right now. Above you might be inspired as Hawi was by one of art history's greats, "The Girl with the Pearl Earring", painted by the Dutch artist, Johannes Vermeer. History can motivate us in ways that allow for a deeper understanding of ourselves and the cultures of this world we live in.
Below, you might recognize the influence that local artist and art professor, Dustin Harewood had on Ariana's mixed media self-portrait sculpture. Harewood is known in the Jacksonville gallery and museum scene for his reef paintings and floating head installations. Ariana loved studying his work and relating it back to her own definition of identity. She especially enjoyed knowing that we all sort of share the same back yard!
These works might start small, folks, but the impact they have on our youth reaches far beyond what we are able to put into words, and it is all generated by a support and appreciation for the arts.
And if you think these are impressive, just wait until you hear about the after school projects that art club has been busy knocking out!
Last year, the JWJ art clubbers created not one, but TWO entire set designs for theatrical performances. We made the set for our own JWJ production of the "Wizard of Oz" as well as Chimney Lakes Elementary's Shakespeare play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream". As sad as it is that JWJ no longer has a theater department, the art club students did not want to let their winning streak end just on our own campus ...
Chimney Lakes reached out to us for a second year, and when we said yes, this time around they even gave us free tickets to their show! We had an entire row reserved just for us, and boy, oh boy, if the elementary students didn't make William Shakespeare himself proud with how well they performed his literary work !!! We will definitely agree again next year if they extend the offer!
Art club sure does have its' perks and we know how to keep the support ball rolling for other artists in ALL areas of the performing arts! Even if JWJ doesn't have many options of its' own anymore, the show must go on, and you better believe these artists will spread the love on AND off-campus. :) :)
So, to balance out the grandness of a lot of the work being made in Ms. Holloway's art room, a large majority of students went SMALL recently ... And I am talking MINIATURE scale small, y'all!
With the amount of homework and studying these smart students take on, it comes as no surprise that they might want to utilize their time in art to simply reflect, digest, contemplate, and ..go small!
In a choice-based classroom, the sky is the limit. As long as the objectives are understood, and the supplies are available, my students are allowed to create with any medium they choose, and at any scale they deem appropriate for their project proposals. Lately, a lot of artists have chosen to ....
GO SMALL! :) :) :) But with a BIG impact, of course!
Due to the popular interest in small scale sculpture, we did a bit of research into contemporary artists who are currently working in miniature. If you've never heard of the tiny art gallery trend, we highly recommend looking into them for yourself. From tiny street art humor to mini museums!
Artists like Isaac Cordal, Slinkachu, and David Zinn will warm your insides and ignite your brain cells!
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2011/feb/27/streetart-sculpture-in-pictures
One big, exciting announcement I just have to share with you all is about the upcoming year and the incredible amount of support the arts are receiving from our superintendent, Dr. Greene.
She is at every DCPS student art show, she was the keynote speaker at a Cultural Council event, and her son even has his own fashion line, so you all KNOW she gets the arts- from the inside out!
Next school year, Ms. Holloway will be shadowing the President of the North East Florida Art Education Association, as I have just been nominated as the NEFAEA President- Elect for 2021 !!! :)
Although there has been so much more activity taking place in the art room, I think we will let it rest here for now, folks. In less than one month we will find out which artists got their work accepted into the prestigious National Scholastics Art Competition, and I am on the edge of my seat!!!
Pick up a copy of January's EU Jacksonville newspaper to read more about North East Florida's talented young award winning artists and the history of this incredible competition opportunity.
All the LOVE, warmth, joy, relaxation, and creative freedom to you all during this holiday break.
Below, I will close out this final post of 2019 with wise words from the artist, author, and poet we take our school's namesake from. Cheers to the new year!!!
"Oh, that mankind had less of brain and more of heart,
Oh, that the world had less of trade and more of ART,
Then would there be less grinding down the poor,
Then would men learn to love each other more."
- James Weldon Johnson