Welcome to Art with Mrs. Abbott

Welcome to Art! The art studio is a bright, colorful space, ready for students’ creativity to soar.

In Art, our areas of learning include:

Encouraging creative expression through observation, perception, and development of technical skills.
Exploring a variety of art movements and artists as we connect the historical and cultural relevance of art to our everyday lives.
Developing critical thinking and social-emotional learning skills as we evaluate and respond to artworks.

Students are encouraged to explore, experiment, make “beautiful oopses,” play, work through frustrations, giggle, and get messy as we create, observe, and respond to art.

Students in Kindergarten through 5th grades come to Art on a 3-day Specials rotation, along with Music and PE. The acronym M-A-P may help you know which special your child has next.

This year I am thrilled to announce the addition of a second art studio at BCE and the return of Ms. Vendetti as our additional part-time art teacher. I have known Ms. Vendetti for many years. She was my sons' art teacher when they were at BCE. And my very first job at BCE was as Ms. Vendetti's aide! Seeing the phenomenal teacher that Ms. Vendetti is inspired me to become a teacher. To get to work with her again is a dream come true. Ms. Vendetti and I will be planning our lessons and projects together for consistency within the BCE art department.

Dress for a Mess

I love an organized place to work. And I love to start and end each class with a clean art studio. But in between, we will get messy. Markers, paint, ink, clay, chalk, oil pastels, glue! While many of our supplies are washable, we also regularly use permanent supplies. Smocks are available. However, accidents still happen and sometimes even a "washable" medium on the wrong fabric may stain. Please take this into consideration when your child is choosing what to wear to school on Art days. Dress for a mess!

Projects

Our focus is process over product to encourage students to take artistic risks and broaden their learning. Each of our process projects is based on the elements of art and principles of design. Throughout the year, projects include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, collage, fiber art, and digital art. Projects are often theme-based, drawing inspiration from nature, historical and contemporary artworks and artists, and our personal stories. Within each theme, students enjoy choice and creative freedom for their unique creative expression.

Throughout the year, student artwork will be on exhibit in the main hallway of BCE.

Each student will save their work in their portfolio over the school year. This gives students an opportunity to reflect on their progress and inspire future projects. It also saves their masterpieces from being crumpled into their backpacks when coming home. Portfolios for the year will be sent home in mid-May. However I know that parents are excited to see the art their child creates. I use an online digital gallery, Artsonia, so you can view your child's projects soon after completion. If your child was at BCE last year, their same Artsonia account carries forward with them year to year. If your child is new to BCE this year, look for a Skyward message from me within the first two weeks of school, including instructions for setting up an account.

Talk about it

The seven elements of art — line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value — are our tools and art language. We will begin learning about the elements of art the first week of school and weave the vocabulary into all projects throughout the year. Asking your child how they used different elements of art in their projects is a great conversation starter and bridges the home-school connection for their learning. In addition to the elements of art, the principles of design — emphasis, pattern, movement, contrast, balance, proportion, and unity — are the ways we organize the elements of art in each project.

Wish List

- Amazon wish list — Amazon gift cards are also appreciated and will be used to purchase supplies for the art studio.
- Michaels gift cards

Parent Volunteers

If you are interested in helping in the Art Studio, please complete this form. I will contact you as needs arise.

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