5th Grade Legacy Project

5th Grade artists are studying the art of the Totem Pole, which are created by Native American tribes who live in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada. Each student is creating a design that includes their name, the years 2015 - 2016, and an animal or human face that is in relief. Two students are sharing one cylinder piece, and the pieces will be assembled into class totem poles once they have been fired into ceramic form. My plan is to have the three different totem poles installed by the end of May, before our 5th graders graduate from Zilker. The totem poles will be in the fifth grade courtyard, and will be  permanent art sculptures for future Zilker students to enjoy. For now, enjoy the process through these photos!

2nd Grade Flower Sculptures

After my second graders had studied American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and created their own enlarged flower paintings, we talked about the difference between form and shape. We had our two-dimensional paintings, and we were going to now create a three-dimensional flower sculpture.  We used a plastic bowl as a mold to form our flowers into a bowl shape.  Students then used the slip and score method to add the stigma of their flower.  Finally, we glazed the bowls.  I used a low fire glaze, and did a combo bisque and glaze firing in one.  The colors came out bright and vivid!  Students are excited to bring these home soon!