Koi Fish Collage

In Art class, fourth graders have been studying Asian art. At the beginning of this project, the students learned about the significance of koi fish in Asian cultures (koi can represent friendship, love and strength). The students learned how to draw koi fish and created their own original koi artwork. They enhanced their artworks with other fish, lily pads and flowers, waves, and calligraphy stamps. The students then learned how to create their own chop, which is like the artists own personal stamp. Nice work!

Japanese Cherry Trees

In Art class, second graders studied Asian art and learned all about Japanese cherry trees. Japanese people have a great respect for nature, and nature has been inspiring Japanese art since the first paintings were produced there. The cherry blossom is an important part of Japanese culture and has always been a popular subject matter for artists. During the spring people come and picnic under cherry trees and enjoy the beauty of the blossoms. In 1912 Japan gave Washington DC 3,000 cherry trees as a gift to show its friendship to the United States. Second graders created these lovely mini cherry trees by blowing paint around with a straw! They then created their own signature stamp called a chop, just like Japanese artists do. Beautiful work second graders!

Koi Fish Drawings

Koi Fish In Art class, fourth and fifth graders have been studying Asian art. At the beginning of this project, the students learned about the significance of koi fish in Asian cultures (koi can represent friendship, love and strength). The students learned how to draw koi fish and created their own original koi artwork. They enhanced their artworks with other fish, lily pads and flowers, waves, and calligraphy stamps. The students then learned how to create their own chop, which is like the artists own personal stamp. Nice work!

Chinese Calligraphy Banners

Chinese Calligraphy Banners created by 3rd graders

Wayne Thiebaud Cupcakes

These first grade cupcakes were inspired by the American painter Wayne Thiebaud (pronounced TEE-bow). He creates paintings of fun things from everyday life, such as cakes, pies, ice cream, hot dogs and gumball machines. Students learned that his art can be labeled realism because it looks real. After learning about Wayne Thiebaud, students created their own yummy artwork of a cupcake. Students cut, glued, ripped and painted paper while creating these masterpieces! First graders also had to show an understanding what a pattern is while they decorated the bottom of their cupcakes. Way to go young artists! These scrumptious cupcakes are beautifully decorated just as if seen in an upscale bakery shop!

Papier Mache Sea Turtles

Clay Frogs