A GREAT PLACE TO GROW

 This year, more than ever, we focused on growth in art: Each student tried to chart his or her journey,  moments of ease and inspiration and challenge.

One way we marked growth was by drawing the same image in September of 2015 as in May of 2016. The big idea was to see in a snapshot how we've grown and changed, and also how are tastes and visual instincts have remained the same.

Kindergartener's September drawing (above)

 End of the year drawing (below)

Students were given the same simple directions and the materials at the beginning and end of the year: "Draw a person (or face, or place) as you think an artist would. You can use memory, observation, or imagination. Show detail. Add color if you'd like..."

 5th Grader's September drawing (above)

End of the year drawing (below)

Students brought work home in their end of the year portfolios, the pictures presented side by side, marking their effort and gorgeous growth!

Thank you VLM family for all of your support and kindness these last 8 years!

Yours in art,

Ms. Jocelyn Johnson

[Images top to bottom, Jones' September and May drawings (K), Katerina's September and May drawing (5th), Chase's mounted drawings (K), Caroline's mounted drawings (K)]

FOURTH GRADERS LOOK CLOSELY & BEAUTIFY OUR SCHOOL

This spring, fourth grade students worked hard painting plants now on display on VLM's library ceiling.

Students worked in small groups, collecting plant samples from our school yard, then drawing and painting them on large ceiling tiles.

Students used observation and worked to draw plants accurately and to scale, correlating with our fourth grade BIG design idea of considering PROPORTION.

Students mixed colors, making tints and shades, creating hues and tones to create complexity.

Working together was challenging and rewarding, but each team used strategies to complete their goal.

This project began with a visit from accomplished local botanical artist Lara Call Gastinger, who showed students her gorgeous intricate drawing and demonstrated some her techniques. Students also researched and wrote about their plants as part of library and classroom work.

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Special thanks to our Librarian, Elizabeth Waterbury, Fourth grade teachers Hollins Mills and Kate Collins, and our lead custodian Isaac Brown who hung the final work.

THE WONDER OF CLAY

My third grade students knocked it out of the park with their clay creations, inspired by sculptor Henry Moore, who is known for sculpting seated and reclining figures. 

 Students started by practicing and planning with modeling clay. They could use different forms---slabs, coils, and spheres---to create a person or creature. Students chose athletes, pets, mythical creatures and at least one angel.

Our final work was fired in the kiln, then painted carefully with watercolors. The wonder of clay is its ability to engage all learners, and transform into something that lasts.

(Work from top to bottom: Kate, Cole, Conner R., Kai,  Yusef, Lucy, Robbie, and Madelyn, Daniel)

NOW & THEN

I found some great parings of pictures of fifth grade students (now) and their work through time. 

For Instance: Nora in kindergarten, and her work, again, in 5th grade.....

And Preston in 1st grade and 3rd.

Here's Lydia in 2nd grade, and her 5th grade portrait in progress.

It's heartening to me to see in stills and color how much my students have changed from year to year...

And how they have remained the same. 

 What a beautiful and creative bunch---each and every one of them!

  What do you remember most from art this year at Murray?

FINAL FIFTH

Here are a few images from our 5th grade final performance and Art show. My favorite parts, how the fifth graders talked, Salon style about their self created musical expressions and...

...the standing room only, jubilant, slide show of students in the art room through the year.

We did it, Ms. Corradino!

Art Matters. 

To peek at our slideshow images, and more photos from our event, go here. 

TEXTURE & FORM

Our blustery spring art days have been filled with texture and form: Each grade level has (or will soon) work with clay--- forming spheres, coils, slabs---first practicing with modeling clay then creating containers, pendants, masks, and more.

Students also have played with TEXTURE, both actual and suggested.  Kinder students used a variety of textured materials---bumpy, spongy and slick---to create an image about place.

2nd and 3rd Grade students used repeated lines and patterns to make us imagine the textures for feathers, scales shells, branches and other objects in the natural world.

Using texture and working with form are among our funnest, most novel projects of the year!

 (Images from top to bottom:  Michael practicing clay, 5th graders working, 5th grade greenware, Kinders working with textures, Birds by  Reece and Skyler, Jackson's practice piggies!