Creating a group art project with wire and paintings

 This was a rather involved projects that required several steps. First we created the background for each one of the squares using acrylic paints and then splattering the squares with alcohol to create a mottled design. We added several layers and finished with a splattering of metallic paint.

In the second session we added stencils which we filled with a plaster spackling compound allowed it to dry and then tinted the areas using diluted acrylic paint. Finally we framed each one of the squares using the same spackling compound. Most of the students also tinted the frame and textured it.

In our last session we worked as a group to create a layout, and attached all of the squares to a metal grid that we made ourselves. The students learned how to attach short links of metal rod to each other in order to create the grid. They also used mounting blocks to attach the squares to the grid. Lastly we attached wire to hang it in the lobby and gave it a title "Walk off the Earth"

Using mixedmedia to convey a message

The junior high group took on a different kind of a project in November. I had them create a 3D collage. They first created their own background papers using colored pencils. My direction was that they needed four different sizes of paper one to include a shape. 

They were assigned to one of three groups of the traits that they are currently using this year at school. The traits were compassion respect and responsibility. We used pages of quotes from the program for them to be able to select something to put on their largest piece of paper. 

When they were done with the text and designs, they affixed it to the blue background so that it had a 3-D appearance. Lastly we frame them and put them on the wall in the lobby.