More photos of the Art Show

Kindergarten Air Dry Clay Suns

A few more photos from the Fiesta Art Gallery 

Art Show #2 - The Capeless Fiesta Gallery

4th grade metal tooling Lizards

 I was really pleased at how the work shaped up for the first ever Fiesta Art Gallery.  I have shared with you previous how the teachers put on a Cinco de Mayo dance for students each year in May known as Fiesta.  Art classes are expected to do the decorations.  I have always hated to waste valuable art class time on dance decorations so proposed the idea of an art show to the committee this year.  I was pleased that everyone was very open to the idea.  I planned projects with cultural connections in mind for each grade level so they would enhance the dance theme but also allow for real art projects instead of decorations.  The photos are taken prior to the dance.

1st grade Tropical Birds from the Rainforest

Rainforest Birds - a multi media project with
drawing, painting, and collage

4th Metal Tooling Fiesta Suns

4th grade Lizards with the gallery label

3rd grade Crazy Cactus, a multi medium project with
collage, and drawing

2nd grade Amate bark paintings (on brown paper bags)

More Amate paintings

Tropical Birds in the entry way with the Gallery Sign

Crazy Cactus with Gallery Sign

Fiesta Art Gallery

Every year I am ask to create decorations for the teacher managed Fiesta dance.  I personally don't like to have my students create "decorations".  For me, it diminishes the roll of art in education.  A few years back, I shifted the focus somewhat and began to create art projects that were then used to decorate the walls.  I attempted to make cultural connections and made sure that students viewed the work they were doing as art and not decorations.  This year, I approached those in charge and requested that I shift the focus a bit more.  As a result, we will be creating the Fiesta Art Gallery.  The dance will be an event for the gallery opening.  Now, yes, I know it is still the annual dance but I think my new approach with the students will create a new experience as well.  Here are a couple of the completed projects.  I will be grouping projects by subject matter complete with labels, artist statements and description plaques reflecting the purpose of the lesson and the Visual Arts standards that are in use.  I'll let you know how it all goes and promise to post more pictures as projects are completed.  Anyone have any suggestions as I try to make the gallery a reality?  Please share ideas!