Art Program at Barrack Hebrew Academy

October 2009

Creating Art : Grades 6-8

Students began the trimester with a three dimensional collage project inspired by the artwork of Joseph Cornell. Found objects were assembled within box structures to create personal statements designed by the individual artists.

"Eating Fruit" was our next project. A progressive four step sketch assignment was drawn and then utilized as design inspiration for a final piece.

With "Story Character Pottery" , our current project, students selected a favorite children's book character. A clay pottery form : either a bowl, plate or cup was made using slab techniques. Pieces will be decorated using colorful underglazes.

Three Dimensional Art: Grades 6-8

Taking inspiration from the art created in the Oaxacan region of Mexico, students used wire framing and paper mache to create "Fantastic Animal Forms". Pieces were painted using acrylic paints in colorful patterns.

We next explored the craft of "Cut Paper Relief". Students used bristol board , scissors and exacto knives to create textures and patterned samplers.

"Funky Shoes" is our current project. Students designed a pair of shoes -- keeping intact the parts necessary for the object to identify as a "shoe" -- but from there , creativity and imagination run rampant! We are using clay to model our shoes in solid forms which will be refined as the design progresses. Pieces will be fired and embellished with found objects.

Studio Art Topics: Two Dimensional  Art Exploration : Grades 9 & 10

As an ongoing assignment, students maintaining an "Altered Book / Journal" . Students are to use their book as a sketchbook. Two sketches per cycle will be due October 28th.

Our first assignment "Up Close and Common" focused on drawing common objects in ways to obscure their identity and create mystery . Nine different 6" x 6" sketches were completed using color pencil, cray pas, pastel and ebony pencil.

"Graphic Novelette" is our current project. After looking through a wide variety of published examples, students are creating their own characters , one based on themselves, as well as a story line rooted in their individual reality. An eight to 10 frame sequence is our goal for the final project.

Studio Art 1: Art Skills ; Grades 9 & 10

Students will be responsible for keeping an ongoing sketchbook, the contents of which is wide open. A group of eight sketches are due on October 29.

Our first project "Wire Figure in Environment" went over many different sculpting processes. We began the figure work by drawing 60 second gestures. From these sketches , wire figures were modeled using soft aluminum wire and pliers. A suitable base was designed and a cardboard mould constructed from the design which was later cast in plaster.

We will next start working with cray pas and pastels using still life subjects.

Studio Art Topics: Painting : Grades 11 & 12

As an ongoing assignment, students will be working in their sketchbooks , creating two pieces per cycle. Eight sketches are due October 29.

Watercolor painting and working out of doors was our focus early in the trimester. Students worked on capturing both the essence of their subjects and gaining control over the medium. A series of 6" x 6" studies were created .

Acrylic painting and still life are our current area of study. Students looked at and discussed the work of Paul Cezanne as a starting point for their studies. Our in-studio paintings contain many similarities to the master's artwork. A few small studies in addition to a larger final piece will be completed.