EXPRESSIVE ARTS AFTER SCHOOL
UPCOMING PROJECTS EXAMPLES
UNDERWATER
ECOSYSTEMS
The intention of this project is to teach students about environmental stewardship, diversity and the importance of protecting coral reefs. Students create a mixed media artwork with alcohol inks and paint markers inspired by underwater ecosystems.
Making the base layer on Yupo paper with fluid alcohol inks, students create layered depth in a painting as they explore this new medium. Students use paint markers to complete their work of art by drawing organic forms inspired by ocean life.
By creating diverse underwater landscapes, students gain a deeper appreciation for their environment and their role in protecting it.
Impasto
landscape
Using a unique textured material, acrylic paint and markers, students bring to life this abstract work inspired by their favorite outdoor landscape.
The intention of this project is to lead students to explore "impasto" texture and grow an appreciation for their natural landscape.
Students will be guided through an exercise to imagine Earth’s surface from another perspective. Experimenting with unique materials derived from nature, we will build textural works with mindful curiosity.
Student’s illustrative abilities grow as they use the confidence-building materials of pen and marker without fear to draw their own personal mandala.
The intention of this project is to build student's confidence through positive self-talk and trust in their drawing process.
By leading students through an exercise to check in with their emotions, they develop the ability to find internal encouragement in the form of an affirmative phrase.
When students shape a mandala drawing around this affirmation they are given the opportunity to meditate on its meaning.
This abstract painting project is inspired by the cellular structures in our body. Much like cells, fluid acrylic paint moves on the surface of a canvas with graceful fluidity.
By giving this medium space to flow, the layers of paint take on a life of their own, creating bold forms which mirror our organic nature. When students observe the characteristics of the medium, they learn how to guide the paint to flow into a work of art.
This project empowers students to experiment with fluid acrylic paint as they learn to let go and trust the expressionistic process, while also guiding the material to reveal its natural beauty.
Fluid Cell
Painting
Affirmation
Mandala
In this class, students will explore how to use mini squeegees to create an intentional abstract painting.
The intention of this project is to showcase how to create rhythm and movement into a painting, as well as how to slow down and create mindfully.
Expressive art forms such as this especially demonstrate that that the process of creating something is often more important than product of what is made.
Through focuses on the process of creating something, we create space to additionally focus on how we feel and experience creating. This not only helps us become more connected to our artwork, but it simultaneously facilitates a stronger connection to our inner selves.
The intention of this project is to build up student’s confidence with ceramic clay by introducing them to surface customization and dimensional slab building.
Students will become comfortable shaping, texturizing, and manipulating clay with their hands, textured materials, and rollers.
Touching on the foundations of dimensional ceramic building, students are prepared for future exploration in ceramics.
Students are connected to their inner autonomy and creativity by interacting with this malleable medium which provides endless possibilities.
Their clay slabs become a beautiful blank canvas which can be reshaped over and over again, giving students the freedom to play and create without fear.
SQUEEGEE
PAINTING
Ceramic
Textured
Trays
Unconventional Printmaking
The intention of this project is to introduce students to printmaking through unconventional materials. Students learn Expressionism by allowing their emotions to inform the process and final work of art.
They are guided through an exercise to deepen their awareness of feelings by describing them visually. Bringing this emotional expression to the page, students hand-draw foam printing plates and create layered prints with rollers and acrylic paint.
Surrendering to experimentation, students play with process of printing to express their emotions with exquisite results.