The 2nd Grade KMAC Field Trip: Clay Masks

My 2nd grade had a great time making clay masks at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft. I had them create practice masks with oil based clay before the trip so they would be familiar with techniques. They sketched out their favorite pieces while they toured the museum. Then they created masks with clay. The mask started as a slab of clay and they cut out the face shape and added low-relief pieces. They used Mayco Stroke n' Coat glazes to add color. When we left, the museum put their masks on rolled up newspaper to give curve to the pieces. I pick up the masks in approximately one week and am excited to see the final results.

Carolyn Braden: Sending Thanks To Schaffner Families!

Thank you to everyone for your support during our Square 1 Art fundraiser. I raised $1,901.33 for my art program! I used the money to buy clay, glazes, glaze palettes, oil pastels, yarn, looms, paper, tempera paint, watercolor sets, brushes, ink, smocks for students, kiln supplies, embroidery floss, glue, and more. I am using $700.00 to cover most of the expenses for our upcoming 2nd grade field trip to the KMAC. On the field trip, students will tour the museum and make a clay mask.
I will definitely be doing the Square 1 fundraiser again next year. I am also writing a grant to try to do an arts night at Schaffner next school year. It would be a night parents could come with their students and do mini art projects together. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get funds to do the event.

Carolyn Braden's 5th Grade Art: The History of the Horse in Art

These works of art are being created to be possible entries in several
local contests. Since you can't just say, "Okay kids, lets make art just for this contest!" you have to get creative. I created a PowerPoint to show the history of folk art and how the horse has been the subject matter in art works for many years. We looked at some Appalachian horse art and related it to some modern horse art by pop artist, Peter Max. No matter which art works are chosen to be contest entries, all the students are creating wonderfully creative art!

Upcoming Projects: October 2012

After students assess their Square 1 projects, they will continue to stay busy in my art class!

Here's what we'll be working on in October:

Kinders: "Shapes" Mosaics
1st: African Symmetrical Masks
2nd: Pop Art, The Still Life
3rd: African Sunsets
4th: Native American Shields
5th: Kentucky Celebrations, Derby Style Art

The 2nd and 3rd grade students will be participating in the PTA Reflections contest with their upcoming projects. The 5th graders will be participating in the Derby Festival and Derby Museum "Horsing Around With Art" contests with their upcoming projects.

We also do "Be Creative" Centers every six weeks and students will be receiving their first "Art Store" paycheck very soon.

Carolyn Braden's KMAC Blackacre Camp Project Results

I taught this braided coil basket project to middle school age students at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Crafts. I'd say they did a fantastic job! Some didn't know how to braid, thread a needle or even sew. By the end of the lesson, they all picked up the skills and created creative baskets.

Next Week!

Next week's Art of the Day will feature Salvador Dali. Want information about Dali?  Check out this website:  
 http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/


The Salvador Dali Museum is in St. Petersburg, Florida.  


The new rotation of classes happens on Wednesday, September 8th.  If your student is in my current art class, they will rotate to Arts and Humanities.