Arts & Activities articles from June 2005

Arts & Activities archives from June 2005

Editor's note.
June 1, 2005... Many things can inspire artists. But, when it comes to youngsters, few subjects have the appeal of animals. This month, we have gathered together a group of art projects that feature animals and fish as the subject--and prove that they are an...

VSA Arts Institute.(arts update)(Very Special Arts)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The VSA (Very Special Arts) Arts Institute is an intensive professional development offering facilitated by VSA arts staff and consulting professionals who present on current practice and theory in the fields of arts, education and disability....

Enriching art ed resources.(arts update)
June 1, 2005... The Lexmark Print Art Educational program is a national, philanthropic initiative designed to expand and enrich the art and cultural education resources in school districts across the nation. This unique initiative uses digital technology and...

Students win scholarships for being "Stuck at the Prom".(arts update)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Duck[R] brand duct tape Stuck at Prom[R] Scholarship Contest gives couples the opportunity to win a $5,000 scholarship by attending their prom dressed in duct tape duds. With a little creativity and a lot...

Draw Your State Flower.(arts update)
June 1, 2005... To raise awareness of the new National Garden at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., and to increase appreciation for each state's flower. Scotts[R] Miracle-Gro[R] invites elementary school students (K-6) to participate in a national...

Create Comics workshop.(arts update)
June 1, 2005... The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) is offering a special workshop on comics and self-publishing, "Create Comics, June 27-July 1, 2005. During the five-day intensive, CCS faculty will work with students to produce a comic. From generating...

Shift gears with Very Special Arts and Volkswagen.(arts update)
June 1, 2005... Artists 16 through 25 of age are invited to apply for a national juried exhibit titled "Shifting Gears" For the fourth year, Volkswagen of America, Inc. and VSA (Very Special Arts) are presenting an opportunity for young artists with...

Abstract Expressionism.(Video Recording Review)
June 1, 2005... VHS/CD/VISUAL ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM. Video/20 min./$69. Level." Middle through High School. Lucerne Media, 37 Ground Pine Road, Morris Plains, NJ 07950, (800) 341-2293. The role of Abstract Expressionism, whose characteristic feature...

Still Life.(Book Review)
June 1, 2005... PRINT STILL LIFE (2004, $12.95) by Parramon's Editorial Team, Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 250 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788. This is a book that can be useful for middle- and senior-high-school students. The first half of...

The Complete Drawing and Painting Course.(Book Review)
June 1, 2005... PRINT THE COMPLETE DRAWING AND PAINTING COURSE (2003; $19.95), by Sterling Publishing Company Staff Writers. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016. This is a book that can be used by high-school level...

Artists of the 20th Century: Francis Bacon.(Video Recording Review)
June 1, 2005... VHS/CD/VISUAL Artists of the 20th Century: FRANCIS BACON. DVD/50 min./$19.95. Level." High School and Above. Kultur International Films Ltd, Inc., 195 Highway 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764, www.kultur.com. Francis Bacon, a technical...

Binney & Smith Inc.(shop talk)
June 1, 2005... Crayola[R] Window Markers, from BINNEY & SMITH INC., are designed for decorating and drawing on windows and other glass surfaces. Students can creatively customize their classroom for the holidays like Halloween, or Thanksgiving, or to show...

Phelps Publishing.(shop talk)
June 1, 2005... How to Draw Spectacular Reptiles, from PHELPS PUBLISHING, is a 112-page, black-and-white book with plenty of drawing illustrations. Included are reptiles such as the Gould's Monitor, the Hognose Snake, Ajolte, Bearded Dragon and many more....

Staedler, Inc.(shop talk)
June 1, 2005... A new line of Calligraphy Pens that can produce a broad range of different styles of lettering, has recently been introduced by STAEDTLER, INC. They released several sets to accommodate those just starting out in calligraphy or those who do it...

Sargent Art Inc.(shop talk)
June 1, 2005... SARGENT ART, INC. has introduced nontoxic, and AP-Certified Sculpt*it![TM] Air-Hardening Sculpting Material. Available in white, this air-hardening sculpting material is ideal for freehand modeling and creating realistic sculptures. No kiln or...

LoewCornell's.(shop talk)
June 1, 2005... Looking for a brush that delivers spaced lines, checks or strokes, as well as speeds up your painting? LOEWCORNELL's new Double-Time[TM] are multi-head artist's brushes and the latest innovation in brush design. The brushes come in four shapes:...

Crumb Chum[TM].(shop talk)
June 1, 2005... Just when you thought you've seen it all... the CRUMB CHUM[TM] has come to rescue for parents, teachers and camp counselors everywhere! Designed by a grandmother and daughter, The Original Crumb Chum[TM] is a patented, unique chin-to-toe...

Mixed-media environments with animals.(Cover Story)
June 1, 2005... Every young school-age child loves to paint. If you ask them what their favorite subjects are, they will invariably say either physical education or art--"the fun classes." They consider themselves great athletes and wonderful artists. I...

What's your pet's story?
June 1, 2005... Paintings tell a story. We look at Grant Wood's American Gothic and imagine a storyline that goes with it. We look at Winslow Homer's painting The Fog Warning and get a feeling that the story that goes with it is one of danger and doom. Someone...

Underwater wonders.
June 1, 2005... I was the Queen of Cardboard for a while, the mother of all cardboard collectors. Stacks of the stuff nearly reached the classroom ceiling! It was free and a great way to recycle. We used all brown corrugated cardboard to make large'...

Color under the sea.
June 1, 2005... Are you looking for an exciting way to introduce both color theory and painting to your students? This lesson will encourage the students to learn color theory as well as have fun painting. This is a wonderful interdisciplinary study combining...

Sand casting.
June 1, 2005... Sand casting was such a big hit in our school that even the teachers got into the act! Our principal, Jim Leonard, had never clone a piece of artwork in his life, but there he was in the art room, digging in the sand. Later, the staff enjoyed...

Casting shadows.
June 1, 2005... I am forever searching for new subject matter that will allow me to teach important concepts and techniques for my students in interesting ways. The concept of chiaroscuro--Italian for light (chiaro) and shadow (scuro)--where the subject...

Young artist.(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... Why do I like art? I like art because it relaxes me and I love to draw portraits. I also like to draw dogs and buildings. I like to work with clay as well. My mom and I use clay, wire and beads to make people. I also take dance and am in...

Clip and save art notes.(self-portraits)
June 1, 2005... ABOUT THIS SELF-PORTRAIT This picture is one of 200 self-portraits painted by Frida Kahlo. It was said that in spite of painting so many pictures of herself, none of them is alike. This double portrait is extremely different from most of...

Classroom use of the art print.(self-portraits)
June 1, 2005... Frida Kahlo (1907-1954). The Two Fridas, 1939. Oil on canvas; 68" x 68". Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno, Mexico City, D.F., Mexico. THINGS TO LEARN * Understand that it was very difficult for Frida Kahlo to become recognized as a...

It's a dog's life: photographs by William Wegman from the Polaroid Collection.(LEARNING from EXHIBITIONS)
June 1, 2005... The remarkable photographs of William Wegman have been amazing the public for more than 30 years. In collaboration with his pet weimaraners, Wegman has staged his models in the widest variety of poses and situations to the astonishment and...

Through each other's eyes.(PHOTOGRAPHIC expression)
June 1, 2005... It is amazing what a little flexibility in thinking can produce. Take two teachers wishing to work together, a group of students from various parts of the community and a common interest, on everyone's part, in the subject of photography--put...

Brush up on art by painting with light.(PHOTOGRAPHIC expression)
June 1, 2005... My students have dealt with black-and-white photography, however, with a new group of students I wanted to focus on composition and light--two things I think are essential for an effective photo. This time, we would also be using 400 ASA color...

Successful sketching.(Book Review)
June 1, 2005... PRINT SUCCESSFUL SKETCHING (2002, $14.95 paperback), by Valerie Wiffen. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016. Sketching is something that most people do. Sometimes it is a means to record certain...

2005 guide to summer ordering.(art and craft supplies)(Directory)(Illustration)
June 1, 2005... 2005 guide to Summer Ordering ARTS & ACTIVITIES' comprehensive directory of sources of art and craft supplies and equipment, schools, publications and services... a ready reference for teachers, administrators and purchasing agents....