WELCOME  TO  THE

 ART WEB PAGE

   In our art room we value and encourage self expression through the exploration of a variety of materials.  

Students are encouraged to try new ideas and techniques and to take risks. 

 We believe that a safe, supportive environment for risk-taking and exploration

is paramount to a positive learning environment.

 
                             A famous 20th century artist, Pablo Picasso, once said

"It took me two years to learn to draw realistically.

It took me 40 years to learn to draw like a child again." 

Three Musicians, Pablo Picasso

what's happening in the art room:

School-wide class portrait murals:

The students in grades K-6 enjoyed drawing their self portrait life-size on a very large piece of mural paper! After a lesson on drawing the face, everyone worked very hard to capture their likeness using a guide for the placement of features and a mirror. It has been fun to see all of the portraits in the various drawing styles. Students and staff can be seen congregating at the displays around the school, pointing out details and finding siblings, cousins and friends.

         grade 3 student                                                 grade 6 student

     Science/Art Intgrated Project-Adopt a Tree:

At the beginning of the school year, every second grade student was given a beautiful, hard-backed drawing book. These books were donated by the French fine art supply company, Canson-Talens. The students personalized their sketch books with their names, then we immediately took them outside to sketch in them! We adopted the tree on the playground and have been observing it and sketching it as it changes through the seasons. We have drawn it three times so far and and we have created a winter tree with a spatter paint technique. The students have collected leaves with Mrs. Mari, our librarian. We are looking forward to the warmer weather when we can go out and sketch "en plein air", as the French say, which means outside!

our tree in winter

Artist-in-Residence Bob Marstall !

We have enjoyed a two day residency with local illustrator Bob Marstall. This exciting program was funded by matching grants from the Southampton Cultural Council and the Southampton PTO.

Mr. Marstall is an internationally known illustrator of numerous non-fiction books for children. Students in grades K-6 were treated to a one-hour slide presentation of Mr. Marstall's process of creating paintings of wildlife and nature after careful and scientific observation.

artist-in-residence Bob Marstall

The third grade students participated in a two-hour, hands-on workshop that gave them an opportunity to try their observation skills and record their findings. The residency was an invaluable educational experience because it addresses some of the National Standards of Science, but most importantly because of the engaging nature of the experience!

Danielle and Deane observing chafer beetles

We are grateful to the organizations who support art enrichment learning for our students!

   and   THE SOUTHAMPTON PTO

You can find out more about Bob Marstall at his web site:

www.marstallstudio.com

Grade 4 Illustration project:

Grade 4 students have been working with Mrs. Mari in the library and Ms. diCurcio in the art room to understand what makes an excellent picture book illustration. Mrs. Mari has introduced them to the Caldecott prize-winning and honor books. The students have examined them and discussed what qualities are necessary to compete for this prestigious award. In the art room, the students have created collages using shape and composition to illustrate a mood.

Dangerous                                                                  Escalate