Gearing Up for Annual Art Show

Late nights every day this week as I scramble to get projects ready for our art show.

I did a quick load of Wabi Sabi pots yesterday.

A few of the 3rd graders need to come in at lunch to finish glazing their coil pots...

while 2nd grade artists need to do the same with their effigy vessels.

Ceramic dragons were painted with watercolors so no kiln necessary - woo hoo!

And after all that, I have to select, mat, tag and fill my six-sided panel with an assortment of our 2D work, including some Blue Dog paintings.

Show opens on Monday, should have pix posted by the following weekend. In the meantime, you can click on '2011 art exhibit' in my labels section to the right to see last year's work!

Wabi sabi '12

As soon as I get back from break this week, I'll have to start firing my Wabi Sabi pots...

I have 6 or 7 trays full to go into the kiln...

There are a few standout so far...

You can see examples from last spring in a previous post here.

Ceramic Artwork from our K-5 Schools

Couldn't wait to show you all the great ceramics that are being shown during our current District art exhibit...

Isn't this just grand?

Clay whistles were popular with more than one teacher this year. For any small sculptures or jewelry, some teachers teachers use a plexiglass 'box' over the projects to discourage theft...

I'm not sure how these fellows are constructed - they're new this year - but I'll have to find out because they look great!

Never get tired of seeing these cute houses...

These face jugs were just wonderful - each and every one was so unique and had such expressive personalities. I also like the limited palette of only 3 colors...

One of my Wabi Sabi pots...

These ceramic lidded boxes were new this year & were a favorite of many...

And now for dessert...

One Year Anniversary Giveaway

My first anniversary as a blogger is coming up at the end of the month. Woo Hoo! Pretty good for an ADD'er to stick with something for a WHOLE year, right?!!!

In honor of this momentous occasion, I'd like to have my first giveaway(s) for my followers - I appreciate your support immensely! If you're a frequent visitor but haven't already signed on as a follower - hurry!

My kiln room and project drawers are stuffed w/project examples - some teacher-created and some from students who have moved. I have extra Wabi Sabi pots, fish sculptures, coil pots, Kumihimo braidings, DuBuffet self-portrait of yours truly, radial symmetry, etc. Thought this would be a good way to clean out some of the extra stuff.

The names of my followers will be placed in a container, shaken thoroughly and drawn by the school librarian who so generously accepts my most grievous behavior issues for timeout. Drawing will be held on April 29. Good Luck!

Wabi Sabi Wonderful

My 5th graders completed their Wabi Sabi pots by adding symmetrical handles

and using their signature stamps to initial their pot...

Thoughts

Today is my last day of sick leave and I'll be heading back to the classroom tomorrow. I've been fortunate to have had 2 very competent subs while I've been gone so it won't take long to get back into the swing of things.

Most grade levels have to finish up work we started before my surgery so lesson planning won't be too difficult.

First graders will use their crayon rubbings to create an imaginary animal in its habitat.

Artists in 2nd grade will start to add final details on their Blue Dog paintings - can't wait to see what they come up with!

Both 3rd and 4th graders have to pull together their prints made previously, assemble them according to the edition numbers and complete the self-assessment rubric.

Fifth graders will soon start on their ceramics - a Wabi Sabi pot (hope I spelled that right...). I took a great hands-on workshop at state conference last fall on the subject and thought it would be perfect for them !

I hope all of you out there enduring the Snowpocalypse make it through the next few days days warm, dry and safe from accident or injury! Most of my immediate and extended family is in the direct path so even though I'm sitting here with the sun shining through the window my thoughts are with those in the Midwest right now. Enjoy your snow days!