5th Grade Abstract Chalk Pastel Explorations

5^th Graders have been learning about abstract expressionism. Abstract expressionism was an American Post-World War II art movement. The abstract expressionist movement was characterized by expression of the artist’s emotions and feelings through color, shape and line. The paintings are abstract, so they do not depict recognizable forms, like people or places. 5^th graders learned about two abstract expressionists in particular, Hans Hofmann and Sonia Delaunay. 

"Song of the Nightingale", Hans Hofmann, 1964
Image from www.hanshofmann.org

"La Prose du Transsibérien et de lat petite Jehanne de France", Sonia Delaunay, 1913
Image from www.moma.org

After looking at, and discussing, multiple works of art by these artists on the Smart Board, students considered how they could use different elements of art (line, shape, color, volume) to compose a work of art.  Students were directed to choose one shape to fill their paper with in any way they wanted. Some students chose to draw a 3-D shape, others chose to overlap their shape to create new shapes.

HC-316 students in-progress

Michael, HC-316

Students used graphite sticks to create their compositions, then worked on filling in the shapes with color using chalk pastels. Students focused on adding value by blending and layering the chalk pastel to create the illusion of volume in their compositions. 

Please enjoy their beautiful compositions!

Joaquin, "The Magic's Triangles", 5-308

"Mixed Colors", Andy, HC-316

"A Triangle Party", Lucy, HC-316

"Square's Colors", Vanessa, 5-308

"The Crazy Squares", Xinchen, HC-316

Paige, 5-308

"The Moving Shapes", Adam, 5-308

HAPPY NEW (school) YEAR!

Welcome back! I can't believe summer is already over and we are once again beginning a new school year! This is my fifth year at PS 250 and I am so excited for all of the projects and plans I have for the artists at our school this year!!
The art room is all ready for the new year:

Front of the Art Room

Back of the Art Room

Students have been spending the first art class of the year learning (and reviewing) the rules and procedures of the art room. Students all received seats at my tables (labeled by color) and have learned that they need to work together with their tablemates to follow the rules so that they can earn gems on my behavior chart. They can earn gems at the beginning of class, during work time, at clean up and at line up. If they receive all of their gems, their table earns stickers! They have learned that it is always important to be listening and following the rules so that they know what the directions for art making are for the day.

Positive Behavior Chart

This year, every student is going to create a pencil self-portrait the first day (or days for the younger grades) and last day of art class. I want everyone to have a chance to see the progress they make during the year, but I also feel self-portraits are a great way to get back into the art-making groove. Self-portraits force us to sharpen our observational skills (when we're looking in mirrors), think about the various types of lines and marks we can make (i.e., thick, thin, curvy, light, dark, etc.), as well as how we can re-create what we see in a mirror, with a pencil and line on a piece of paper.
Here are a few students working hard to create their realistic drawings:

1-105 working hard

3-303

3-303 

Here a few samples of the fabulous self-portraits students drew:

Lucas, 4-312

Kira, 2-212

Nathaly, 3-228

Jaden, 5-327

Joseph, 5-327

Nicholas, 5-327

Andrea K-B01

Elijah, K-B01

Stanley, 1-107

Matthew, HC-305

Next, students will be discussing how artists keep track of and care for their artwork by making portfolios, which they will use to store these portraits (and all of the other art they make this year) in. By the looks of these portraits, I know this year will be a FABULOUS year for our artists!!!

Legacy Project

 

Photos property of BRIC Arts, 2012

At the end of the school year, PS 250 was very fortunate to be chosen by BRIC Arts (a non-profit arts organization here in New York City) to receive a residency that culminated in the creation of a legacy project. Check out BRIC here. The project was a mural of individual portraits (drawn on glass) created by every member of the school community (every child, teacher, support staff, etc.). The project was the brain child of BRIC Artist Ellie Balk. She was assisted by artist Erica Kermani, who also documented and put together a video of this project. Check out the video:



PS 250 The Legacy Project from BRIC Contemporary Art on Vimeo.

Art in Bloom! Evening of the Arts 2012

Every year our school celebrates student achievements in the arts by hosting a 1-night event called Evening of the Arts. There are drama, dance and musical performances, as well as a student visual art exhibition in the gym. The visual art exhibition not only includes a beautiful gallery of student artwork and student docents from 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade that led tours through the exhibition. These students spent time with Ms. Westerberg to learn about all of the art that was hung, as well as the processes by which students had made the art. The student docents helped visitors learn about the art, as well as lead group discussions.

There was also an area for parents and students to create art together. This year, the art-making table was devoted to creating still life collages of flowers.

The student art exhibit at Evening of the Arts exhibited art from every class that receives art with Ms. Westerberg.

Kindergarteners exhibited their "Cardboard Sculptures":

Jill, K-B06

1st grade exhibited their "Oil Pastel and Watercolor resist drawings of the Jungle":

Kiara, 1-106

Alan, 1-125

Grade 2 exhibited their collages of a "Favorite Snowy Day Activity":

Qianying, 2-216

Destiny, 2-216

3rd Graders exhibited "Flower Still Life Paintings":

Eliza, 3-204

Hunter, 3-212

The display case in the main lobby was also dedicated to the 3rd Grade Paintings in anticipation of Evening of the Arts:

4th Graders exhibited their "Hand-imal Trip-tych Oil Pastel Drawings":

5th Graders exhibited their "Favorite Recipe Picture Books" as well as their "Endangered Species Styrofoam Prints":

Shamia, 5-308

Eva, 5-327

The day after Evening of the Arts, several classes were invited down to the exhibition throughout the day to view the art. Students were also given the opportunity to choose a favorite work of art, then write a letter to that artist; letters were delivered at the end of the day.

Looking at the art with Ms. Westerberg

                 

A student writing a letter to another student artist

 Evening of the Arts was a HUGE success. Thank you to everyone that helped, especially 3rd, 4th and 5th grade student docents, fellow faculty members that volunteered their time (in the weeks leading up and on the actual day), the custodial staff, Ms. Trucker (our AMAZING music teacher), Ms. Casidy (our PHENOMENAL drama teacher), parents, volunteers, the Parent Organization and, most importantly, our FABULOUS student artists at PS 250!!! Congratulations everyone!