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 →
In a normal year, my sophomores would have encountered paint and have dealt with value during their freshman Foundations class. Unfortunately, this year that is not the case, because as we return to fully in-person instruction we are still a year behind on some of our materials explorations. Now, some of my students in Studio... Continue Reading →
Inspired by the weird box of boxes I hoarded over the years and saved from the giant purge of our old art classroom, I started the year with this quick warm-up project. Students were asked to create small works of art inside (and outside) of these small boxes. The whole process was completely up to... Continue Reading →
So throughout the pandemic, the construction on our campus has continued and finally, this year, our entire arts department has moved into a new space: The Mater Center. Named after a fresco of Mary as a young women dubbed "Mater Admirabilis" meaning "Mother Most Admirable" it is both a dining hall, theater, worship space, and... Continue Reading →
One of the biggest Covid-19 related teaching losses I experienced was in March of 2020 when we left school for what we thought would be two weeks. My high schoolers at Stone Ridge had all just finished a magnificent round of giant chicken wire and papiér mache sculptures. They were gorgeous and ready for the... Continue Reading →
I am beyond excited to be back in person this summer with my amazing campers! Here are some highlights from our summer so far! You can see the bags that campers decorate to bring home their projects. You can see our differentiated color wheel project, and a even more advanced version done by a fantastic... Continue Reading →
Emma Teaches Art! 