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? :)