Relief Printmaking

Students chose either a Korean zodiac animal or Alaska Native totem animal as their influence. During the Winter Olympics we learned that traditional Korean culture follows a similar New Years zodiac as in traditional Chinese culture. Since we're in Alaska, we found similarities between how Korean zodiac animals and Alaska Native totem animals represent characteristics of people or groups of people. A variety of photos were available for students to work from after they made their choice. Students worked on drawings that used solid shapes, and textures made with line or pattern since printmaking involves carving an image which is very different from doing a shaded drawing. Some classes used foam printing plates, other classes used a soft rubber style printing material.

Craft In America - Slab Pottery

We start exploring ceramic craft traditions in America by looking at two very different artists, George Ohr from Biloxi, Mississippi and Maria Martinez from San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico. Following is a sample of our Heart and Soul (Sole) project which is done as a slab project that includes texture from the soles of our shoes. The "double" bonus here was the opportunity to reach across the curriculum to language arts with the use of our homophone.