Dale Chihuly inspired Installation

The whole school participated in this Dale Chihuly inspired installation. We used recycled plastic water bottles and salad bowls with acrylic paint and permanent markers. All the students watched a video  about Dale Chihuly and his DARING new styles of glass blowing and display. The water bottles were cut open and assembled into Chihuly-like chandeliers.  Other students decorated recycled take-out bowls and the flower shaped bottoms of water bottles which were melted to resemble Chihuly's seaforms and rotollos which were strung together into an additional chandelier.

7th Grade Recycled Can Art

--> The 7^th graders turned “trash into treasure” by transforming smashed soda cans into unique works of art. We looked at examples of artists’ work from smashed cans for inspiration. The students chose a can and like Michelangelo staring at his marble from all angles, they got inspiration to create. They used acrylic paint, sharpies and collage supplies to make these whimsical pieces.  

Recycled cardboard House Books -first grade

In conjunction with a publishing party the first graders have in their classrooms, we made artistic "house books" in the art room. With inspiration from the brilliant book The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater, Roberto the Insect Architect by Nina Laden, Mr Pine's Purple House by Leonard Kessler and others, we gradually explored the beauty of uniqueness and the basic elements of architecture. The students first built their houses with recycled pieces of cardboard and glue. Doors/covers were also chosen. Next the students painted their cardboard pieces and had the options of collaging and/or drawing in craypas.The first graders had the choice of writing and/or illustrating the inside pages. Finally the books were compiled with pipe-cleaners and the houses stand proudly. The children love this inventive project that integrates with their language arts learning.

Recycled Cardboard Relief Sculptures ala Louise Nevelson

We looked at the art of artist Louise Nevelson. She assembled Abstract sculptures from found objects on the streets and in junkyards. These assemblages, created with recycled treasures, are inspired by her.