PTSA Reflections, West Milwaukee Intermediate Panther Artists.

A BIG congratulations goes out to our panther artists who participated in the annual Parent/Teacher/Student Assoication's Reflections contest.  This contest challenges students of all ages to reflect and create personal artworks a central theme.   This year's theme was "Diversity Means...".  We had six talented Panther Artists who submitted artwork for the contest.  These artists had to create their artworks at home with no help from adults whatsoever.  All of our artists' works will be going on to be judged at the state level.    

A very nice ceremony was held at Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate School and the winners at the local level were announced.  It was fabulous to see a few of our own West Milwaukee families there. 

Libby B. with her artwork.

Brian J. standing by his art work.

The winner for the visual arts for the middle grades was our very own sixth grader, Austin K.!!!  He did a fabulous job working on this project and we're all proud of him.  Congratulations Austin!

Austin K. was the winner of the middle division

To learn more about local and national PTSA sponsored art contests please go to:http://www.ptareflections.org/

Assemblage/Collage Boxes

Mrs. Styza introduced a really fun project to the seventh grade classes.  The students learned what assemblage and collage are, and how different artists, like Joseph Cornell, use them in their artworks.  They were then challenged to create a personalized assemblage/collage box for themselves or to give as a gift.  They were all given a generic, 5"x5" cardboard jewlery box, and were encouraged to bring photos, magazines, and found objects from home to create their projects. 

7th grade Line Drawings

Seventh graders worked hard (and long) at creating these line drawings. They learned about the descriptive quality of lines, light and shade, and analogous colors.  I love how they all look combined together and we've been getting lots of compliments about them. 

6th Grade Dia de los Muertos Celebrity (or Character) Skeletons! And welcoming Mrs. Styza!

The sixth grade art classes did a fantastic job of making their Dia de los Muertos celebrity skeletons.  They studied the human skeleton and used models to understand how bones moved.  The objective was to create a character that we could identify based on just a few simple details like hair, accessories, clothes, or poses.  I love how different each one turned out.  

In other art news, we have a fantastic addition to our art room.  Mrs. Samantha Styza is a student teacher from UWM.  She will be working with us for the remainder of the semester.  We're very excited to have her here and look forward to some awesome lessons with her.

6th Grade Silhouettes

 

The more I get to know our new sixth grade students, the more I am impressed with their creativity.  The students spent a couple of weeks creating these identity silhouettes.  I began by tracing each student's silhouette.  They then had to fill the silhouette with symbols, objects, and words about their interests.  They used good marker techniques to make the work look professional.  This was a great beginning project as I got to know a lot about each one of them during the process.  Great work 6th grade!

7th grade Dia de Los Muertos Skulls

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the seventh grade art classes have been studying El Dia de Los Muertos, or as it's known in English, The Day of the Dead.  Students did readings and had discussions about how El Dia de Los Muertos is not Halloween, and compared the differences in how artists have used the symbols of skulls and skeletons for the holiday.  They then applied their knowledge into making a plaster skull.  The classes spent time exploring the shapes of their own skulls and then recreating those.  Each student had to work hard to think of different decorations and themes for their calaca (skull).  The end results are quite stunning.

If any families are interested, Milwaukee has an incredible Dia de Los Muertos parade this Friday (how convenient that the kids are off!).  This could be a great, FREE cultural opportunity.  Please visit the following website for times and locations:

http://diadelosmuertosmilwaukee.yolasite.com/

Adaptive Art Blowfish

 

 The Adaptive Art class has been working very hard for the past three weeks.  They've been studying oceans and ocean creatures in their classroom, so we extended the learning to a hands-on project.  Using plaster, balloons, newspaper, and paints the students  each created their own blow fish (or puffer fish as they're sometimes known by).  I think the students became really attached to their creations.  One young man addressed his daily as "son". 

7th Grade Art Rocks!!! (and Empty Bowls Milwaukee)

The seventh grade art classes have just finished their art guitars, and they do indeed rock!

The students were shown many examples of custom guitars.  They were challenged to create a theme in their guitar that reflected a personal interest.  Students were given the option to use a pre-existing guitar template, or to create a completely new design.  As you can see from the photos below, the students definitely rose to the challenge.  I'm once again blown away by the variety and creativity in our young artist. 

In other art news-- Milwaukee Empty Bowls:

A few of the staff from WMIS have been getting together on Fridays after school to create and glaze ceramic bowls for a fantastic organization.  Empty Bowls is a one day fundraising event.  It pairs artists, schools, and local resteraunts to raise money for local food banks and pantries.  The event will take place this Saturday, October 8th.  Families are encouraged to come and buy a bowl (student made bowls are $10; artist made bowls are $20).  After purchasing a bowl, you can sample dozens of soups made by neighoring resteraunts and enjoy being serenaded by local musicians.  This is a great family friendly event.  If you'd like to learn more about this event or see past events please visit:
http://www.milwaukeeemptybowls.org/

Our talented staff creating bowls (we've decided it might be best to enter them as student-made, hey--we're all life long learners right? :)

Open House a Success!

It was so great to meet so many parents and family members at last night's Open House.  One of the reasons I really love working at West is the ability to get to know families and see multiple siblings come through our school.  I also really enjoy meeting families who are new to us. 


As week three is coming to a close, here is what's going on in the Art Room:
Sixth graders and the Adaptive Art class are all working hard on filling in their "Personality Silhouettes".   The Seventh graders are finishing their paper guitars, and I have to say -- I am blown away by the variety and creativity I'm seeing.  I can't wait to take pictures of the finished projects.


The City of West Allis' Survive Alive House is hosting a poster contest open to grades 4K-8.  All art students have been offered the opportunity to compete.  If any of you forgot to take a sheet of poster paper and entry form, please see me as soon as possible.  Entries are due back to me next Friday, September 30th.  Below is a link to the City of West Allis' fire department and more information about fire safety.


http://www.ci.west-allis.wi.us/fire/fire_education.htm

Pastel Sunflowers

The 6th grade just completed their first project in Art.   A friend of mine scored bundles of sunflowers very inexpensively at a local farmer's market.  They were so sunny and fresh I decided to give the kids a go at drawing from direct observation.  

The students were instructed to look closely at the parts of the flowers.  They began by sketching their drawings in pencil on black 12"x18" construction paper.  They then drew over the pencil lines with glue.  They were instructed to keep the glue tips right on the paper to prevent dripping.  After letting the glue drawings dry flat in the currently unused wrestling room (drying racks are at an angle and wouldn't work), the students then used dry pastels to add color to the drawings.  It was incredible to see the blending of colors the kids saw in the flowers.  

The end product is a hallway full of the most precious blossoms, and just in time for Open House!

First Time Blogging

Hello!

I am so excited to be starting a blog this year.  I hope to be able to use this space to update students and families about the projects and general going-ons in the Art Room here at West Milwaukee Intermediate.  Please check back often for pictures and announcements.

Questions, comments, or feedback are always welcome!