EXPRESSIVE ARTS AFTER SCHOOL
PAST PROJECTS EXAMPLES
FAUVISM
STILL LIFE
The intention of this project is to teach students the art movement of Fauvism (pronounced
fow-vi-zm) and allow it to inspire their own mixed media still life. The foundation of Fauvism was the artist’s desire to convey their emotional experience through vibrant color, simplified form, and real life subjects.
Through this project, students develop an understanding of color theory and how to use color to express emotion. By drawing from observation, students grow in their confidence to portray the world around them on paper.
The vibrant mediums of oil pastel and watercolor act as the perfect medium for students to bring expression to their still life projects and use art-making as a vehicle to explore and appreciate their everyday experience.
JACKSON POLLOCK
DRIP painting
This project introduces students to the Abstract Expressionist art movement.
Students create their own work of art in the style of Jackson Pollock's action paintings with glue, salt, and watercolor.
Our intention is for students to learn how to channel their emotions into each piece through expressive movements as they apply the textured and fluid materials.
Keith HARING
+ POP ART
The intention of this project is to introduce students to the artist Keith Haring and the art movement of Pop Art. Students learn what motivated this artist and how to recognize his unique style.
Inspired by Keith Haring and Pop Art, they create their own drawings which use the elements of line, color, and movement to communicate a story. Students are introduced to drawing the figure and become familiar with paint marker and color blocking techniques.
The students final work of art is a colorful illustration which tells a story with motion and connection between figures.
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
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.
Ceramic
Textured
Trays
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
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.
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.