We learned a lot about the artist Dale Chihuly this month, and a bit about the history and science of his main art technique - glass blowing. Glass blowing began in the Roman Empire, was first exhibited as "art" at the 1889 Paris Exposition, but didn't really expand into the fine art world until the 1960s. The students loved Chihuly's colorful, whimsical works of art. They were also intrigued by watching video of the glass blowing process and we all agreed we'd love to spend an art class at a real glass studio! Instead we experimented with some other fun techniques to mimic the fluid shapes and transparent colors that distinguish works made of glass.
These projects were an example of how sometimes it's the magic of the process and not the product that expands our creative thinking. Lower Elementary students used spray starch to stiffen coffee filters colored with marker. Upper Elementary used heat guns to melt and shape plastic that they had colored with sharpies. Everyone had a lot of fun experimenting with these alternative processes. You will have an opportunity to see the beautiful results at the upcoming Evening of the Arts!
Lower Elementary also had a chance to investigate portraiture this month and work on creating mini self-portraits with monochromatic or analogous color schemes.
The musical also created great artistic and design challenges for the students this month as they worked to conceptualize and create costumes and props for the show.
Evening of the Arts is coming up on May 10!
Aidan's annual student art show is an opportunity for us to celebrate art as a community. Tons of art from all levels of the student body will be on view. There will also be fun crafts and art activities so bring your creativity! I can't wait to see you all there!