5th Grade Symmetrical Sugar Skulls

Fifth Grade Artists are studying the beautiful art of Dias de los Muertos, or Days of the Dead.  Celebrated on November 1 and 2 in many Latin American countries, and here in Texas, people remember the lives of their family members or friends who have died.  Some families set up an ofrenda, or altar, in their homes that includes a photo of the person they are remembering, the person's favorite food, flowers, candles, and sugar skulls.  We looked carefully at the art of the sugar skulls, and made some of our own intricate patterns in a drawing of a sugar skull.

One of the criteria for the drawings was symmetry.  Students drew one side of the skull, then had to carefully trace so that the second side was symmetrical.  Then students added color with markers.

See the finished works here on Artsonia!
http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?project=998281

4th Grade Sewing

Fourth Grade artists are busy finishing up their Radial Design sewing.  Students have learned at least five different kinds of stitches: running, straight, cross, satin, as well as decorated or fancy running stitch.  Students designed their work to have a symmetrical balance, and a few have radial balance, which is two or more lines of symmetry.  We are sewing into burlap, which is loosely woven, and makes it a little easier to line up the design because of the grid-like pattern the fibers have.  These will be on display for our School-wide Student Art Show in April!

Third Grade Radial Designs

Third Grade Art Students are learning all about Radial Balance, when an object has two or more lines of symmetry, and the elements of design radiate out from a central point.  We looked at several different radial designs, including this one of a stained glass window at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.  Students then practiced drawing different radial designs using a variety of shapes, lines, and colors. We folded our square-shaped papers twice to create two lines of symmetry, and to find the exact center of the paper.  Students chose their best design to create their final piece on white paper with markers. Students are working hard to finish these this week - look for them soon in the Zilker Hallway!