Our First Ceramics Lesson

Since the beginning of the year, students have been eagerly anticipating using clay to create their own unique ceramic sculptures. After firing them in the kiln, we painted them using acrylic paints. Many of them will be on display and some even for sale as part of the Jerry's Art-A-Rama 8" X 10" Middle School Art competition on view from April 1-May 31st, 2014. Be sure to come to the opening reception and awards ceremony!

Middle School Art Competition Opening Party!!

Sun, April 6, 3pm – 5pm

6010 N.IH 35

Austin, TX 78752(512) 420-9359

Success at the First Annual Del Valle ISD Fine Arts Event!

Last weekend, over a thousand people attended our first annual Del Valle ISD Fine Arts Event! About 50 students' Art work was displayed. Students had a wonderful time visiting different hands on activities such as pottery wheel, screenprinting, 3D printer, drawing, painting, and I helped work the origami booth with my art teacher cohort.

Congratulations to Ashley Landaverde, one of my 8th graders and an Pre-AP Art I student, who won an award out of hundreds of works. Her work will be on display at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport where thousands of people will be able to view her and other student award winners!

For more information about the event, please visit
http://delvalle.tx.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?cms_mode=view&sectiondetailid=19712&linkid=nav-menu-original-4-2458

 Selfies Value study assignment. Students took self-portrait photographs in black and white, and learned about shadow shapes and created "Selfies" using graphite on paper.

 Students took photographs and used digital photography and filters to create self portrait paintings.

Bonus surprise: A work created by one of my students last year that he added to this year, also won an award and will be on display at ABIA!

A Productive Day in Art Club's Anti-Bullying Claymation Project

Some shots and stills from a hard day's work in my afterschool Art Club's claymation project. So honored and proud to be mentoring some young women animators! Our film is entirely student driven and generated including the script, character development, set design, filmmaking, animating, voiceovers, and original music. Students decided to create an anti-bullying claymation that focuses on two friends on their first day of middle school. When one is attacked by a zombie, the other runs away and drama ensues with a lifelong friendship suddenly split apart.
While brainstorming and creating the storyline, my students made it very clear that they wanted it to focus on how to develop effective communication skills and explore the social and emotional development of the characters. Showing how the characters are able to work through their differences, resolve their conflict, and the importance of learning how to take responsibility for one's actions were at the core of their film from day one.
I am so proud of their hard work, creativity, and cannot wait to see how it unfolds!

Fun with Ceramics, Trash Can Paintings, and School Murals

From day one, students have been begging to work with clay and after building a strong foundation in 2D and other 3D work, our Gator Artists finally began their ceramics project with much glee. We studied the history of ceramics throughout the centuries and discussed why even though it is an ancient and one of the earliest forms of artmaking, humans are still working with it today. We looked at the work of Native American potters as well as contemporary and everyday uses for ceramics.

Our Gator Artists also collaborated with the Athletics and Custodial departments and help painted trash cans which brighten up our hallways and entryways. Art is everywhere!

We also got our Music Mural approved after collaborating with the music department and honors band council and finally installed some of last year's 8th grade mural panels. Murals are part of our CIP (Campus Improvement Plan). Below includes a sketch proposal for approved mural.