Fourth Grade: ongoing project

4th grade is studying art history all year long. Their current project is inspired by the sculptures made by contemporary artists and the ancient civilization of the Oaxacan Valley in Southern Mexico. This is how the students are creating their sculptures:

Step One

After they have chosen a subject, the kids sculpt crumpled newspaper into their animal of choice. They secure the figure with masking tape.

Step Two

After the basic form is complete, they use plaster gauze to give their animals a hard outer surface. Plaster gauze works by dipping strips of the material in warm water to activate the glue and layering them upon one another. The glue then dries solid.

Step Three

After the figure their figure is completely plastered, students choose a solid color to paint their animal as a base coat.

Step Four

Modern artists paint their sculptures with vibrant colors and designs inspired by architecture of their Oaxacan ancestors. The fourth graders were instructed to paint their animals similarly with complimentary color palettes.

Eventually the fourth graders' projects will look as professional as this one!



Check back soon for a post with the kids finished sculptures.