Summer Art Camp!

End ot year Art Room News

Dear Fayston Families,

As this school year draws to a close, I am preparing to hand the art room reins to Alexandra Morse for the 2015-2016 school year.  I have been granted a one year leave of absence from Fayston School in order to spend more time with my family.  I will return to Fayston for the following school year. Students know Alex from her time as a paraeducator at Fayston and as my long-term sub while I was on maternity leave.  They are very excited that she will be the Fayston Art Teacher next year.  

Thank you to all who helped make this year’s Bridge Street Art Fair and Children’s Art Auction immensely successful!  Thanks to beautiful weather and a lot of hard work by artists, musicians and volunteers, this fun-filled day was enjoyed by all who attended.  In addition to providing students a wonderful opportunity to see their artwork displayed in a gallery setting, the Art Auction raised $1700 for our PTO!  Many, many thanks go to Jill Ellis for hours of hard work and incredible dedication to this fundraiser! Please let me know if you are interested in helping plan for next year’s event or would like to help by leading an art activity at the Art Fair.  I will be working with Alex Morse to prepare for next year’s Bridge Street Art Fair, which is tentatively planned for Saturday, May, 21, 2016.

I still have spaces available in my Art Camp at Fayston School from June 22-26.  Camp runs from 9 am to 1 pm and will include a wide variety of art activities, including clay, paper mache, painting, book making, jewelry, nature art and more.  Cost is $140, which includes all materials, and I offer per diem rates as well as pay-what-you-can scholarships.  I am also available for childcare after camp most afternoons.  Please contact me to reserve a space for your child!  

Helen Day Art Center in Stowe also offers excellent opportunities for students who wish to participate in summer art classes and camps.  In order to make their classes available to all students, they offer a needs-based scholarship for 70% off of the cost.  Please contact me, Mr. Berthiaume or Mr. Stevenson if you would like more information about this scholarship.

Remember to stay on top of what is happening in the art room by following the Art Blog at www.FaystonArt.Blogspot.com and following ArtClass_AllDay on Instagram!

I hope your plans for summer include opportunities for creativity and exploration!  Remember, Every Child is an Artist!  

All the best,

Nora McDonough

Under the Sea Silk Painting by Grades 5 & 6

Fifth and sixth grade artists painted silk hoops with various sea creatures.  These circles decorated our school's window for the last couple of weeks of school. 

Mexican Sun Metal Tooling

Here are our Mexican Metal tooling suns by grades one and two: 

First and second graders looked at examples of Mexican Folk Art Suns.  This image stems from the Aztec culture, which revered the Sun God Tonatiuh as the leader of heaven.  Now it is a common theme throughout Mexican folk art.  First and second graders used these images to inspire their own sun faces, then transferred their drawings onto thin sheets of metal.  Metal tooling is a traditional Mexican folk art, so we used this technique to make brilliant sun faces. 

Student post on Instagram!

I have been posting images from our art class on Instagram at ArtClass_AllDay.  I have found that it is a great way to connect with students and share our artwork.  I often come upon students posts that show great creativity and artistic vision.  Here's a photo a sixth grader posted to Instagram last week.  Students, keep sharing! 

Animal paintings inspired by the "Blue Dog" artist George Rodrigue

George Rodrigue was an artist from New Orleans, Louisiana who became well know for his colorful paintings of "Blue Dog."  The original Blue Dog painting was based on the Cajun folk tale of loup- garou.  Rodrigue died in 2013.

First and second grade artists made paintings on canvas panels based on the artistic style of George Rodrigue.  Like the Blue Dog, their animals were painted in non-realistic colors on colorful backgrounds. 

Inspired by "The Great Wave" by Hokusai

Kindergarten artists used different texture painting tools to paint waves inspired by Japanese woodcut artist Hokusai's print "The Great Wave." Here are close ups of their wave paintings.

Clay masks

First and second grade artists modeled their clay masks in art class today! 

Bodies in Motion Inspired by Keith Haring

Keith Haring was a graffiti and pop artist who became widely known for his work in New York City in the 1980's.  He started creating his outline style of artwork on blank advertisement spaces in the NYC subway.    Here are some examples of Haring's work:

Third and fourth grade artists created life-sized figures in the style of Keith Haring.  We are also studying drawing the body in motion in Haring's simplified style.  

Visit www.haringkids.com to learn more about Keith Haring, see more of his work and play games inspired by his artistic style. 

Kindergarten paper sculptures

#kindergarten #paperrelief #sculpture #video #faystonschool

A video posted by Nora (@artclass_allday) on May 27, 2015 at 7:24am PDT

TOP TEN REASONS TO COME TO THE BRIDGE STREET ART FAIR

10. Come out of hibernation! It's finally SPRING! 
9. Ride your bike down Route 100! Join the Bike Parade from the Waitsfield School to the Art Fair, departing at noon.
8. Change your look! Get your face painted, a henna tattoo or a temporary tattoo.
7. Update your decor! Bid on a handmade clock, framed artwork or buy some hand-painted napkins at the Fayston School Children's Art Auction.
6. Boogie to live music!
5. Sit by the river and enjoy ice cream and treats from the Sweet Spot or hot American Flatbread!
4. Find a treasure at The Green Closet, The Artisan's Gallery, 40 Bridge Boutique or at one of the many craft booths!
3. Get inspired by artwork by artists from pre-school to professional, then make your own at one of the free art activity booths
2. Support the Businesses of Bridge Street for a last hurrah before the Covered Bridge closes on Monday.  
1. Celebrate our creative community! 

Remember, please park at Waitsfield School or Waitsfield Telecom!  The parking spaces on Bridge Street must be available for business patrons! This event is free and open to the public and is made possible but the help of many volunteers.  Please email nmcdonough@wwsu.org if you would like get involved!

It's Coming! Bridge Street Art Fair... Saturday, May 16th

Zentangle circles....in progress

Farm animals.... Project in process

Clay napkin rings and tokens for the art auction at Bridge Street Art Fair