5th Grade Pinch Pot Creatures

 

These creatures were the result of some extra art time for about fifteen 5th graders as part of our Friday enrichment clubs.  Due to their involvement in the D.A.R.E. program on Fridays this nine weeks, I only got to see this club for a whopping two 45-minute sessions, so they created their creature in one session and glazed it in the second.  Some great imaginations at work here!  

"Alien" by Corey

"Bad Kitty" by Sophia

"Fish" by David

2nd Grade Ming Vases with Cherry Blossoms

Artwork by Mia S.

We're taking our inspiration for this project from China and Japan.  We talk about the symbolic significance of cherry blossoms to Japanese culture and how Japan made a gift of these trees to the United States in 1912.  We also look at images of porcelain Ming vases from China, paying attention to their intricate designs and variety of shapes.  Students then draw half of a vase on folded paper -- learning a little about symmetry as they do -- and cut out their vase shape.  They then draw details on these and go over their designs with blue tempura paint and fine brushes.  On the second day, they glue their vases to a neutral construction paper background and add cherry tree branches with brown marker.  Then, using tiny pieces of sponge and red and white acrylic paint, they create their blossoms.

Artwork by Karissa Z.

 

Artwork by Madalyn W.

Artwork by Sarah F.