A couple of months ago, I was invited to work with 5th grade students at Oak Grove Elementary School in Santa Rosa to create an art piece that would be auctioned off at the school's Annual Gala Auction and Dinner / Dance Fundraiser I have to admit I was honored to be asked, and excited and nervous at the same time. 5th Graders! YIKES!
The school's Arts Program Director had seen my work by way of this blog and loved the idea of re-using materials that would normally be destined for the landfill. She wanted to hear my ideas on what project we could do with the 5th grade class, who would be graduating from elementary school to middle school soon. I thought the idea of making a 'memory mirror' would be perfect! We would ask the students to bring in 4-5 small 'silvery' things, from bells to bling . . . to use on the project.
She loved the idea, and we set a date for the art project. Soon I was off in search of the perfect mirror. The next weekend, I found it at the flea market. I made a list of items the students might want to bring, and I sent it in.
Next I prepared the mirror, by covering the frame in several layers of colored tissue. For the top layer, I used vintage sewing pattern tissue.
On the day of the project, the students were sent in in small groups with their 'silvery' things. After a brief discussion about the project, they each came up and told me where on the frame they wanted their item(s) placed, and I attached each item, using tiny nails, screws, wire or glue, as appropriate.
Next, the students were asked to sign their name on a piece of pattern tissue, which would later be put on the back side of the mirror, finishing the piece
The mirror is now finished. I am happy with the results. The whole experience was terrific!
I will deliver it to the school next week, where it will be on display for parents and students to see until the day of the auction, which will be May 12th.
I hope it brings in a bunch of money for the Arts Program!
There is lots to see, these images do not do it justice. To see details you will need to enlarge the image.
Very cool! I bet that was fun to work on with the kids too.
ReplyDeleteit was very fun!
Deletehow fantastic! I love working with kids and sharing art with them...and you taught them the lesson of recycling - how wonderful...you must be so proud!
ReplyDeletekool, huh! and i think they got it! some of the stuff the students brought in was amazing and thought provoking. . . a bike brake lever, a vintage iron construction flange, and of course some pretty shiny, blingy things . . . all very interesting and fun.
Deletethanks for stopping by!
qui est la plus belle dans ce miroir? blanche-neige ou rebeca?:))
DeleteHA! HA!
DeleteWhat a cool project! It's so much fun to see how the parents duke it out, bidding against each other for these projects! I've heard of class quilts going for $1200, as moms get into bidding wars! Good Luck to the Arts Program--great job, Rebeca!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carole!
DeleteAWESOME. So many disparate items, so much fun. Only YOU could make it work so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, it was a lot of fun to do, and fun to work with the students. If all goes well, maybe we can do it again next year . . .
DeleteOh how unique and what fun to get to have a project like that with the kids. So glad I found your blog. We lived in the Sacramento area for over four years and loved it out there.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by Alicia. yes we love living here . . . it's a beautiful part of the country . . . .
DeleteWhat a brilliant idea. The perfect way to get the students involved. I am sure it will be a very popular item at auction.
ReplyDeleteSeth-thanks for stopping by! this was really a fun project . . . and i think the students really 'got' it!
DeleteI wonder how this would work with Hutchins students. Maybe we could do a group project like this in my Earth Art class in the fall. I hadn't thought of this kind of collaboration before - we could do a lot in 2.5 hours :)
ReplyDeleteHeidi.
Great idea Heidi!
Deletethis would be really fun.