I promised an update of our 5th grade Shakespeare Masks inspired by the characters of "The Tempest". Here you go...
Prosepero
Miranda
Student Work: Elementary School
Frenchtown History Art Show
Last school year, Frenchtown students across grade levels researched the history of our town with the help of River Union Stage who compiled the research in a documentary film. Students also explored their various Frenchtown History topics in art. Here are some of the many projects below.
Sixth grade students interviewed life-long Frenchtown Residents and paid tribute to them in portrait drawings. 93 year old Frenchown resident, Emily Slack visits her former school to see her portrait, drawn by Morgan.
Each 4th grader researched a location in town and painted a story about it for this large-scale group sculpture. Each student created a letter from cardboard, paper cups, brown packing tape, and paint.
This letter represents the local egg hatchery that used to be in town. It tells the story of how it burned down and how the chicks were transported out of town.
Shakespeare Plaster Masks
Our local theatre company, River Union Stage is working with Frenchtown fourth and fifth graders on a performance of "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare.
Now that students are immersed in their characters, they are making masks to express and exaggerate important personality traits.
They began with concept drawings. Masks will be mixed media (paint, yarn, cardboard, newspaper, etc) on a plaster cast base. They can alter the basic shape of the mask by adding paper or cardboard structures covered with plaster gauze.
Students created the plaster base by casting a partners face. (Covered in plastic, with openings around the nose and mouth.) The art room temporarily looked like the accident ward at a hospital. We were all amused.
More updates to come.
Frenchtown Elementary and Kingwood Township School At the Open Space Gallery
The Open Space Gallery in Frenchtown, NJ donated their space to Kingwood and Frenchtown Schools for a student art show. Student work from grades Kindergarten through 8th was displayed. We had a huge turnout to the opening reception the evening of February 5th. Many people left the show with new appreciation for young artists and what they are capable of.
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Mathieu for donating your space to us. Also, thank you Amber Gale for including Frenchtown School into your event. I had a great time working with you!
Here are some photos from the event.
Raku Firing at Frenchtown School
John Fulwood of Kissimmee River Pottery came to Frenchtown School to raku fire the ceramic work of grades 5-8. Despite the rainy day, I have to admit I personally had fun spending the day outside huddled around the kiln with John, and his assistant Marion. John brought a canopy for the students to stand under, although most decided it was more important to get an up-close look at the action than to be comfy and dry.
For most of the students of Frenchtown School, this was their first experience with ceramics. From raw clay to the raku firing, it was fun to appreciate the wonder of the ceramic process with them. I hope to have John back again next year!
Thank you Frenchtown PTA and Board of Education for making it possible!
Hunterdon Art Museum Young Artists Showcase
Frenchtown Elementary School participated in the Young Artists Showcase at Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, NJ. It was an excellent show and we will be sure to participate next year. Congratulations to the young artists from Frenchtown, Holland Township, and Delaware Township whose work was selected to be in the exhibit.
Hunterdon Art Museum is a great local resource for those who live in Hunterdon or surrounding counties. The museum also offers adult and child classes throughout the year. I'm excited to attend the Life Drawing Marathon on Saturday, March 24.
Here's some photos from the Young Artists Showcase.
There was a good turnout, despite the snowstorm we had that day.
A visitor admires this Frenchtown student's spraypaint peice. The 7th grader had been researching this technique on his own and made many attempts after school and at home. His hard work has quite an impact.
