I will start this post by apologizing. I can't believe I have neglected this blog since April. The last several months of school seemed to be only slightly manageable...too much to achieve with so little time. I was busy but there is no excuse for neglect. So this post is my first attempt at catching up a bit.
I brought in Artome' to put on an art show at one of my buildings this year. Frankly, I was very skeptic about having an art show at all. I was certain that no one would show up and I would devote a tremendous amount of my time to an event that would be an embarrassment. We've all been there, send out the announcements, invites, etc and only a handful of people show up. The response was always, they would have come if you put out snacks. Really, that keeps the people from administration from showing up? For years, my principal didn't even bother to show. I think that was the hardest blow. I really felt a general lack of appreciation for anything I was doing.
So, when my "new" principal put the idea of an art show out there I was more than reluctant. I kept hoping the idea would dissipate in the hectic ebb and tide of the school year. Maybe she wouldn't notice if I conveniently "forgot". I began to see postings on Art Teacher-ing pages about Artome' and everyone appeared to truly be pleased with their outcomes. The idea of now having to mat each and every piece of work and frantically hang them with high hopes they wouldn't fall off of the walls was very appealing so I decided to dig a little bit deeper and look into the possibility. After all, it could be a win/win. My principal okay-ed the idea and the parent's group agreed to take on the money making venture. I signed on and the process began.
Let me say, it was not as easy as I thought. I easily spent between 20 - 24 weekend hours over the span of three weeks preparing all the artwork, labeling, checking for correct spelling and categorizing the way I wanted the work to be exhibited. It was not a complete win/win...I had to put some work in. But, the day of the show was fabulous. The crew of two young men came in and quickly set up the show, filled me in on information I might need and defined their roll for the evening. I walked down the aisles making certain all the art was hanging correctly and that I hadn't grouped too many like pieces together. It looked pretty good and I was nervous but ready. I still feared we'd be a wash out with few attendees. Boy was I incorrect!! It was way beyond my wildest expectations and the parent/teacher organization made some money as well. Best of all was the attendance by a school council member. I'd say this was a BIG WIN/WIN for the art department and I own some of that myself. Feeling great about Artome'!!
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The 5th grade chorus provided
entertainment toward the end of the
event. |
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The Orchestra provided a wonderful
backdrop to the show. |
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| Buttons to identify student volunteers |
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| Gallery information about the show |
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| Welcome to our Art Show |
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| Before the crowds arrived |
My November curriculum is focused on printing making across all grade levels. Fifth graders focus on the work of Andy Warhol and his attempt to fame through using the images of famous people.
A while back a co-worker handed me one of those plastic shoe box containers full of old crayons and other miscellaneous trinkets that her grown children had left behind in her basement years ago. She knew I melted down broken crayons to use as prizes in the art room. I was thankful to receive them but didn't get to the box right away. My colleagues are great about sharing broken crayons with me so I had a fairly large stockpile. A few weeks ago, I started peeling the crayons in the box to begin the crayon making process and came across some labels I had never seen before. I retained one determined to learn more about what it was.
I didn't have to do much research to discover this terrific site that enlightened me as to the contest that occurred back in 1993 for students to name a crayon. I know I have seen the crayon, Macaroni & Cheese in newer boxes for crayons since that day. The site was truly fascinating with a complete history of crayola. If you're into this type stuff, just over and check it out. It was interesting to discover the visual changes that have occurred to this common everyday material in the Elementary Art Room. 
I will start this post by apologizing. I can't believe I have neglected this blog since April. The last several months of school seemed to be only slightly manageable...too much to achieve with so little time. I was busy but there is no excuse for neglect. So this post is my first attempt at catching up a bit. 
So, when my "new" principal put the idea of an art show out there I was more than reluctant. I kept hoping the idea would dissipate in the hectic ebb and tide of the school year. Maybe she wouldn't notice if I conveniently "forgot". I began to see postings on Art Teacher-ing pages about Artome' and everyone appeared to truly be pleased with their outcomes. The idea of now having to mat each and every piece of work and frantically hang them with high hopes they wouldn't fall off of the walls was very appealing so I decided to dig a little bit deeper and look into the possibility. After all, it could be a win/win. My principal okay-ed the idea and the parent's group agreed to take on the money making venture. I signed on and the process began. 
Let me say, it was not as easy as I thought. I easily spent between 20 - 24 weekend hours over the span of three weeks preparing all the artwork, labeling, checking for correct spelling and categorizing the way I wanted the work to be exhibited. It was not a complete win/win...I had to put some work in. But, the day of the show was fabulous. The crew of two young men came in and quickly set up the show, filled me in on information I might need and defined their roll for the evening. I walked down the aisles making certain all the art was hanging correctly and that I hadn't grouped too many like pieces together. It looked pretty good and I was nervous but ready. I still feared we'd be a wash out with few attendees. Boy was I incorrect!! It was way beyond my wildest expectations and the parent/teacher organization made some money as well. Best of all was the attendance by a school council member. I'd say this was a BIG WIN/WIN for the art department and I own some of that myself. Feeling great about Artome'!!
