ART IN ACTION JANUARY 2024

March's Art in Action focuses on textile art.

Students will learn about the history of textile art, get to know a few notable textile artists, and then create their own pieces of art using fabric and paint.

**Classroom presentation and step-by-step instructions**

December and January's Art in Action is focusing on finding inspiration anywhere and learning that there's no wrong way to make art. 

This lesson highlights artist TenHundred, who makes whimsical characters and draws inspiration from many different places. Students will take on a "design challenge" to create a fun character as skateboard art.

**Classroom presentation and step-by-step instructions**

February's Art in Action is focusing on cityscape drawings, inspired by Stephen Wiltshire. 

Stephen Wiltshire creates highly detailed drawings of cities—recreating everything from memory. Students will use scratchboard to create cityscapes of their own.

**Classroom presentation and step-by-step instructions**

For November’s Art in Action, we’ll be learning about the importance of symbolism in Indigenous American art. Artists use symbols to convey significant beliefs and experiences, tell stories, represent aspects of life, and more. 

After learning about symbolism in Indigenous art, students will create watercolor paintings of symbols that are meaningful to them. 

**Classroom presentation and step-by-step instructions**

In October, we'll be making paper marigolds to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. According to the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, TX, "The cempasúchil (marigold flower) is the official flower of the dead since its pungent scent and bright gold color draw souls to the altar. Its shape and color are symbolic of the sun that gives energy and light to all life." 

More about why the marigold, or cempasúchil, is the traditional flower of the dead

**Classroom presentation and step-by-step instructions**

Our next project is all about pinch pots—a fun, hands-on way to shape and sculpt clay into unique bowls, cups, or decorative pieces. After creating your pot, it will dry in the classroom for a week before its first kiln firing. Then comes glazing. Once your piece is glazed, it’ll go in for one final fire, transforming it into a finished masterpiece.

Volunteers may want to arrive early to the classroom to distribute clay to each student, and potentially allow for a little extra time for cleanup.