Focus on International Contemporary Art
We like to expand our horizons here in our little downtown Decatur art studio–we like to think big! What better way to think big than to focus on the art happening right now in our big, big world? Each year in the After School Art Studio we have an over-arching theme from which all classes work and this year we are looking outside of the U.S. to artists currently working across the globe. By focusing on one theme our hope is that our little artists walk away with a greater understanding of the whole of the art world and how it interacts....
read moreThe Endless Fun of Color Olympics
Every year around this time the studio spends a week in friendly competition that celebrates class spirit and Core Values in a flurry of activity known as Color Olympics. Each class works together to earn points through activities such as games, songs, fun pranks, “warm fuzzies”, team-spirit activities and team name guessing. It’s a time for the kids to get creative and bond as a class. Points are tallied each day during a studio-wide meeting with emphasis on good sportsmanship and team spirit. It’s always impressive to...
read moreStudying Contemporary Art
The After-School Studio has spent this school year in a fascinating study of Contemporary Art. In each of our four areas: Drawing/Painting, Textiles, Ceramics and Mixed Media the studio instructors have created curriculum based on artists that have been inspirational to them in their personal art work. We are very excited about the result of this work. Our Color Wheel kids have been exposed to such an eclectic mix of current art and have learned a great deal about what it is to be a working artist today. We will be updating the blog...
read moreFrom Textiles Instructor, Erin Wooten
Although each fibers curriculum varies by artist studied and technique, they all share a common thread: process over product and an emphasis on material application and handwork. Currently, the 4th/5th graders are working on a fashion design and a screen printing project. We are studying Valentino, Cecilia Cassini, and Stella McCartney. Each student is creating their own design and building a couture garment or hand printed logo.
read moreFrom Drawing and Painting Instructor, Amber Keen
The main focus for our after-school artists in drawing and painting right now is challenging the question “What is Art?” Each project has been focused around this idea, dealing with topics contemporary artists are using in work. Currently, the kindergarten/1st grade class is dealing with the theme of preservation. We are inspired by the work of Damien Hirst, and are exploring printmaking as a way to preserve a past memory or idea. Next in drawing and painting, our 5th grade group will continue work on some fantastic Chuck Close...
read moreFrom Ceramics Instructor, Jeni Morris
This year’s ceramics study has been an exploration in the wide range of projects that can be created from clay. Inspired by the work of Robert Arneson, Richard Notkin and Sarah Horn, we have built self-portrait clay masks, a wall hanging mural, architectural tubes, and tea pots. The topic of our study has been the importance of appropriation, learning to use an idea and make it our own artistic creation. It is important that our young studio artists understand that ceramics has such a wide array of artistic possibility. We have had such...
read morePhoebe Says
From Phoebe (5th grade artist on Chuck Close’s work) “I put things about myself in each of my small squares so my self portrait really shows who I am . I included things like horses, archery and fish…things I love.”
read moreFrom Mixed Media Instructor, Brittney Baxter
Mixed media allows the use of a great variety of media and materials. For this reason, I have really enjoyed teaching it especially with the Contemporary art topic. The kids get excited to work in this area with such a wide range of projects. I intentionally chose artists who use materials that the kids may have never used before. What kid wouldn’t get excited to work with glass (Dale Chihuly), paint their old toys gold (Louise Nevelson, or glue markers on a chair (Sandy Skogland inspired installation)? In planning lessons, I wanted to...
read moreCharlie Says
Charlie (a 3rd grade artist, on self-portrait masks inspired by Arneson) says: “I liked that they were crazy and creative, not serious. I put a mustache on mine because I thought it would look funny.”
read moreAbout Color Wheel
"A Community Art Studio for Decatur Families" 