This year my 5th-grade artists looked at the work of Louise Nevelson and Betye Saar. Inspired by their work with found objects we started our own collection of bits and bobs. Each student started out with a cardboard base for stability and then we learned all about composition. We played with how we would arrange... Continue Reading →
In Second Grade we started our ceramics unit by tying in their number corner's look at pinnate vs. palmate leaf types. The resource I used from the American Museum of Natural History's website is here. We left our campus and explored the amazing Capital Crescent Trail as a class. We collected various pinnate and palmate... Continue Reading →
Marbelized paper has always been a feature of the Deco Arts Camp, and I mean always. When Sinclair Hamilton founded the Decorative and Fine Arts Camp, now Deco Arts Camp, marbleizing paper was a project that was done from the beginning. Still, it's probably one of the projects that has also changed the most. We... Continue Reading →
The color wheel is a staple of the Deco Arts Camp. There is nothing more beautiful than a gorgeous wheel of thoughtfully mixed colors and carefully painted shapes! The color wheel patterns are differentiated by a campers age, but ss campers return they have the opportunity to try the more complex color wheels and even... Continue Reading →
The Deco Arts Camp book nook has been a huge hit so far! We love to see campers reading! Its been a great spot for early finishers or campers who need a break from a challenging painting project. It's good to see the room working as a second teacher.
This summer a new feature we added to the Deco Arts Camp was the opportunity to silk-screen T-shirts and aprons. Historically we've always silk-screened, but creating a useful keepsake is new! We do not use chemicals to "burn" the screens. Instead, we cut out stencils and use those stencils under our screen to create our... Continue Reading →
This summer the Deco Arts Camp is located on the 3rd floor of the Arcade Building at Glen Echo Park. I am so excited for the summer ahead! To get things started here is a look at the space. New this year to the Deco Arts Camp is a cozy, calming reading nook complete with... Continue Reading →
One thing I am very proud of this year was how I have enforced the habit of sketchbook work in all of my upper level students. Each month I required all of my students in all of my classes, sophomore through seniors, 4 pages or 2 "spreads" worth of work in their sketchbooks. Some of... Continue Reading →
My AP Drawing 1 class took on the task of diving deep into the world of animal symbolism in art. We decoded Renaissance artists use of animals to convey meaning, and we looked at how contemporary artists are using animals as symbols now. Students read “Decoding Animals in Art History, From Immortal Peacocks to Lusty Rabbits” by Abigail... Continue Reading →
In my sophomore Studio I class we have been practicing different approaches to the figure. For the most part, we used vine charcoal and a little bit of black chalk pastel for extra oomph! We started this unit with sweeping gesture drawings, focusing on capturing the overall movement of the figure. Then we looked at... Continue Reading →
Emma Teaches Art! 