Arts & Activities articles from December 2006

Arts & Activities archives from December 2006

Editor's note.
December 1, 2006... This month's magazine is filled with the warmth of texture and fibers. With winter just around the corner, it's the perfect time of year to introduce your students to weaving, stitching, molas and more. With the variety of stories we present...

Boating party teaching kit.(arts update)(The Phillips Collection)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Phillips Collection, America's first museum of modern art, offers programs for K-12 teachers, students and their families, including school tours, in-classroom workshops, hands-on family programs, professional development workshops, and...

Contest deadline approaches.(arts update)
December 1, 2006... The deadline--March 15, 2007--is almost here for entering the 2007 Blick's Linoleum Block Print Contest. Offered in three divisions: grades 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, this contest is an opportunity to gain national recognition for your students and...

Art challenge competition.(arts update)
December 1, 2006... Students are invited to participate in Richard Bohm's 11th annual "Art Challenge'" Stained Glass Drawing Competition." The mission of Art Challenge is to "motivate individuals to take action, have a positive art experience, and to develop the...

'Holiday happiness' cards.(arts update)(United Nations. Children's Fund)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Children nationwide submitted thousands of drawings for the 2006 Pier 1/ UNICEF/Weekly Reader Greeting Card Contest. Two were selected (pictured here) based on their interpretation of the theme, "holiday happiness," through design, color and...

Paul Cezanne: A Painter's Journey.(Brief article)(Book review)
December 1, 2006... PAUL CEZANNE: A PAINTER'S JOURNEY (2006; $17.95), by Robert Burleigh. Abrams Books for Young Readers (in association with the National Gallery of Art), 115 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011; www.abramsbooks.com. In the author's note,...

With Hand and Heart: A Portrait of Southwestern Native American Artists.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
December 1, 2006... WITH HAND AND HEART: A Portrait of Southwestern Native American Artists. VHS/27 min./ $24.95. Levels: High School through University. Crystal Productions, P.O. Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025; (800) 255-8629; www.crystalproductions.com. For...

Badly Drawn Dog.
December 1, 2006... BADLY DRAWN DOG (2005; $14.95), by Emma Dodson. Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788; www.barronseduc.com. This is a short children's story appropriate for the primary grades. There are so many...

Abrams books for young readers.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... ABRAMS BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS presents Faces, Places and Inner Spaces, a richly illustrated book that divides art into the three categories of faces, places and inner spaces, and shows readers the endless varieties of each. All the art...

Royal & Langnickel Brush Manufacturing.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... ROYAL & LANGNICKEL BRUSH MANUFACTURING's Crafter's Choice[TM] brush line features durable ergonomic acrylic handles. The line now offers 144 different brushes in a variety of styles and sizes. Royal & Langnickel's Crafters Choice brushes...

Schacht Spindle Co., Inc.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... SCHACHT SPINDLE CO., INC., founded during the craft resurgence of the late 1960s, manufactures various types of hand-weaving and hand-spinning equipment. Of interest to K-12 teachers would be their School Loom, which the company says "ensures...

Wiley Publishing, Inc.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... WILEY PUBLISHING, INC. presents two new editions in its "Teach Yourself Visually" series that guides visual learners through new skills with large color graphics and easy-to-follow text. These releases teach readers crocheting and knitting,...

Liquitex.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... LIQUITEX, an innovative brand leader in acrylic products for artists, has introduced String Gel. This self-leveling gel has a honey-like consistency and, when poured or dripped from above, the gel produces a long, string-like application. It...

Spiral Binding.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... SPIRAL BINDING has announced the launch of its School Supplies e-Catalog, loaded with equipment and supplies specifically for the education marketplace. In the e-catalog, customers can view pictures, gather details, review pricing, and purchase...

Crayola.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... CRAYOLA Color Wave broad-line markers have two times the ink of other markers, a visible ink chamber and a textured grip that makes holding them comfortable. The markers can be reactivated and "brought back to life" until every drop of color...

Getty Publications.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... GETTY PUBLICATIONS announces Artists' Techniques and Materials, the newest volume in its "Guide to Imagery" Series. The reference guide discusses the materials and processes used in eight media and how these media have developed from ancient...

Kits Publishing.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... KITS PUBLISHING continues its "Hands-On America" series with its second volume, Art Activities About Colonial America, African-Americans, and Southeast Indians. The book combines history with practical activities that are each inspired by an...

Saunders Manufacturing.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... SAUNDERS MANUFACTURING announces the release of the UHU[TM] Glue Roller, the newest addition to the UHU family. The new Glue Roller is available in multiple versions, which makes the product useful for a variety of projects--both in the art...

Sargent Art, Inc.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... SARGENT ART, INC. has introduced its new Sculpt*it[TM] Bulk Classpack--great for busy classrooms, art instructors or any sculpting lessons with limited time for "portioning out" sculpting materials to individual students. The bulk classpack is...

Beacon Press.(shop talk)
December 1, 2006... In Making Art Together: How Collaborative Art-Making Can Transform Kids, Classrooms, and Communities, published by BEACON PRESS, author Mark Cooper aims to change the way teachers think about making art with kids. Art projects that involve...

'Tis the season for Grinches!
December 1, 2006... Actor Jim Carrey's screen portrayal of the Grinch in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) spawned new interest in the children's holiday classic and had people revisiting the original text and made-for-TV movie to compare them to...

Poinsettia perfection.
December 1, 2006... Ready to try something with a high success rate among all students? These poinsettias make every student feel like a master while experimenting with many visual tools. Let's start pushing some paint! I've been teaching for 16 years and...

Weaving sophisticated expression.(Cover story)
December 1, 2006... Weaving is one art form that allows teachers the opportunity to achieve multiple goals with one assignment. While I try not to emphasize too many concepts in any single lesson, many of the instructional objectives that are stated in our...

Mola inspired.(Cuna culture)
December 1, 2006... The Cuna (or Kuna) Indians live on the San Blas Islands, off the coast of Panama. The women create colorful "molas," which they sew to the front and back of their blouses. The molas are made from layers of colored fabric using a...

Puppets speak a universal language.
December 1, 2006... Recently, some of my students came into y art room with faces drawn on their hands--much like ventriloquist Senor Wences' "Johnny," on the old Ed Sullivan Show. On these true "hand-puppets," the thumb becomes the puppet's "mouth," which moves...

Clip & save art notes.(Giuseppe Arcimboldo's paintings)(Critical essay)
December 1, 2006... ABOUT THIS PAINTING This issue's Clip & Save Art Print is in many respects one of the most bizarre and entertaining works of Western art. Earth (c. 1570), by the Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo, is part of a suite of allegorical...

Classroom use of the art print.(Giuseppe Arcimboldo's paintings)
December 1, 2006... Giuseppe Arcimboldo (Italian; 1527-1593). Earth, c. 1570. Oil on wood; 70.2 x 48.7 cm. Private collection, Germany. THINGS TO LEARN * Giuseppe Arcimboldo was born in Milan, Italy, during the latter part of the Italian Renaissance,...

A bed is a canvas.(CHILDREN'S art diary)
December 1, 2006... Art with my children when they were infants was the happiest time. Above their crib I rigged elaborate trapeze acts, finding moving objects and creating sculptures overhead. There were no crib mobiles for this artist's children. My high-wires...

What is a snoval?
December 1, 2006... Introducing the oval shape to my kindergarten classes seems to occur around the onset of winter. Historically, snowmen (or snow-women or snow-children) provide primary educators with an opportunity to review the circle shape. As similar as they...

Southwestern style: a fibers lesson.(Navajo art)
December 1, 2006... As part of the social-studies curriculum, students at our school study about American Indian cultures. As an art specialist, I try as much as possible to connect art lessons with classroom studies. In this fibers lesson, students learn about...

Marvelous modeling paste ... painting with texture.
December 1, 2006... You know all those used canvas panels you've been saving? The ones your students have painted on and then didn't want to keep? Keep reading--herein lies a cool way to reuse them. This is an easy and effective activity for beginning painters...

Young artist.(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Art is my outlet and my source of creativity. I know whenever I pick up a brush, pencil, crayon or marker, my imagination is at work. Art has always been something I enjoyed doing, but I had never really pursued it until about a year ago....

Aardvark clay & supplies.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... The most comprehensive ceramic supplies catalog available Over 200 pages of clays, glazes, kilns, potter's wheels, equipment, tools, books and everything else for ceramics From K-12 and beyond. Aardvark has what you want and need to help you...

Best-Test Rubber Cement.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Check Out Our New Catalogue and Products. Visit bestine.com to download it or request one sent to you. Since 1919, BEST TEST has made ACID FREE Paper Cement in only one way--with pure and natural white rubber. Unlike "multipurpose" glues,...

Articles online.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Looking for a specific orticle, or articles on a spe cific subiect? Search Arts & Activities Maga- zine Web site for articles since 1998 (Article search dating back to 1990 coming soon.) If this search uncovers what you're looking for, you can...

Blick art materials.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Request our 2007 art materials catalog now o comprehensive, 624 page catalog packed with the best brands at the best prices, plus 18 new lesson plans Call or go online at DickBlick corn to order your copy www.dickblick.com Circle #249...

Bailey ceramic supply.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Bailey's all new 225 page FREE color catalog is brimming with all the products you will ever need for your classroom! From hundreds of new books and videos, to equipment, to AP nontoxic glazes, to every imaginable tool, Bailey has it all....

Blick art materials.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Blick's new Classroom Art catalog for K-5 class room teachers and art educators. Features 192 pages of basic art supplies plus money-saving class packs and exciting new craft items Includes 22 fun and informative lesson plans! ...

Chavant, Inc.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Since 1892, Chavant has produced a wide variety of professional grade, oil based, plastelines. Please order a sample kit and evaluate these superior quality clays and tools. Skilled sculptors agree--the fine art of sculpture begins with the...

Evenheat Kiln.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Evenheat Kiln, Inc. has for over 50 yrs supplied the firing community with Top-of The Line Kilns. We have a large array of kilns to suit virtually any need or desire, in both kiln size and style of controllers. Our kilns are manufactured with...

J & J Display.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... J & J Display has an attractive and economical solution that makes the most of your precious SPACE AND BUDGET. Our racks are great for showcasing artwork, photos, historic documents and for use in the classroom. Show off your school pride and...

Chicago Canvas & Supply.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Artist Canvas and wide seamless muslin. Primed Canvas, Gesso, Deka Fabric D es in bulk. Duve n, Commando Cloth and TheatriYcal Gauze. Curtain Track & Hardware for Moveable Backdrops--fits any area. Fabrication available. Quick Turn around time....

Faber-Castell.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Founded in 1761, Faber-Castell offers high quality art materials for students, educators, and artists. Our colored pencils, graphite pencils, markers, soft and oil pastels, PITT Artist Pens and other products have superior performance in regard...

Journeyed.Com.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Students, teachers and schools can save up to 75% OFF retail prices on the most popular sol,are available. JourneyEd has the widest software selection available from popular manufacturers such as Adobe, Macromedia, Microsoft, Autodesk,...

Debcor Inc.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... "ROCK SOLID" ART & ACTIVITY TABLES Debcor's heavy-duty Art & Activity Tables with large work surface are ideal for grouping students. Spacious 60"x42" tops have scratch, stain, and liquid-resistant laminate surface. Easy to assemble, steel...

Graphic display systems.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Versatile and lightweight for use in classrooms, stage backdrops and art displays. For a free catalog contact Graphic Display Systems 308 S. 1 st., Lebanon, PA 17042 www.graphicdisplaysystems.com Circle #256 on Reader Service Card...

L & L Kiln Mfg., Inc.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... L&L EASY-FIRE KILNS Color catalog describes L&L's new Easy-Fire kilns designed forschools More rugged than fi/pical kilns they feature hard ceramic element channels to protect the kite's interior. The spring-loaded hinge is easy-to-open...

Nantucket Island School Of Design & The Arts.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Creativity & Arts on Nantucket Island! Refresh yourself andenhance your teaching! Enjoy Studios! Textiles, Painting, Ceramics, Photography, Jewelry.... then transpose into designing arts, interdiscplinary classroom, projects, curriculum. Earn...

Peters Valley Craft Center.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Peters Valley offers intensive summer workshops in blacksmithing, ceramics, fibers, fine metals, photography and other special topics and is a registered provider for the professional development hours as required for NJ art teachers. Various...

Sax Fine Art.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... 2006 Fall Catalog is now available. Materials for Middle School, High School & Up. This 150-page catalog offers exciting new products ocused on the secondary art curriculum. Also featured in this catalog are spectacular samples of student art....

National Artcraft Supply.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... www.nationalartcraft.com National Artcrafl Co. is a leader in unusual and hard-to-find art and craft components. See our latest catalog or complete Web site featurinq Craft Supplies, Musica] Movements, Clocks anti Electrical, Ceramics and...

Renaissance Graphic Arts Inc.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Printmaking Supplies/ Traditional & Digital Papers 69 Steamwhisfle Dr. Ivyland, PA 18974 (888) 833-3398 www.printmaking-materials.com Circle #264 on Reader Service Card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Skuit Ceramic Products.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Check out our NEW CATALOG! Skutt has been a leading manufacturer of electric kilns and kiln vent systems for nearly 50-years. Our sectional design has become a standardin art classrooms all over the world. Don't want to wait for the mail?...

Shimpo Ceramics.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Shimpo Ceramics, manufactures and distributes ceramic equipment worldwide to the satisfaction of artists, teachers, students and businesses of all cultures. For the past thirty years we've been committed to continuing global traditions in...

Runyan Pottery Supply Inc.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... One of the largest "FAST/SHIP" Factory Outlets in the U.S.A. for Clay, Glaze, Tools, Ceramic Equipment and Thousands of Supplies. TEACHERS: Call for 100-page catalog and technical help on kiln and equip, repair parts and new purchase guidance...

Spectrum.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... The widest range of fired colors for pottery and ceramics available, including: low fire glazes; stoneware glazes; high fire cone 9/10 glazes; underglaze colors; majolica colors; raised underglazes (engobes); ceramic stains; and other fired...

Spiral Binding.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... The best place to stretch your school budgeting dollars when it comes to laminating & binding equipment and supplies, presentation materials, transparencies, and much more. Our education catalog has many outstanding specials and values...

Tandy Leather Factory.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... Why Teach Artistic Leather Techniques? Throughout history, leather art has always played an important role in our development. Leather is an incredibly ver satile medium. It can be cut, glued, molded, sculpted, carved, stained, painted,...

United Art & Education.(winter catalog showcase)
December 1, 2006... You'll find your favorite art supplies, plus 100s of new items, in our new 2007 Art Materials Catalog. Compare and save with our competitive pricing, volume discounts and free shipping program. Looking for dependable, personal service? United...

Tried & true tips for art teachers.(Textures and Fiber)
December 1, 2006... Do you have a feel for art? Well, this month's issue will be especially interesting to you with its inherent tactile sensations of fiber arts and textures. I've done several assignments that include sculptural elements using fabric, nylons,...