ART 8: Art and Design: Students as Creative Choice-makers

CURRENT PROJECT

Symbolic Self-Portraits

Students will investigate how five artists harness symbolism in diverse media—painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture—to convey identity and narrative. After analyzing each artist’s practice, they will design and execute a symbolic self‑portrait in their chosen medium and inspired by one of the artists. The unit culminates in a written artist’s statement and a gallery exhibit.

The plan is linked below including a presentation to learn about symbolism and the artists who will inspire our art-making.

Selected Artists:

René Magritte

May Ray

Roy Lichtenstein

Amy Sherald

Niki de Saint Phalle

Plan            Presentation              Gallery

PAST PROJECTS/EVENTS

Women's History Month Artist Study and Artwork

In celebration of National Women’s History Month, our 8th-grade Visual Arts students are engaging in a special project titled "Women Who Inspire: Art, Identity & Innovation." This unit explores the powerful contributions of women in the art world and how their work has shaped culture, history, and social movements.

Students will study seven influential women artists:

🎨 Mary Cassatt – American painter known for being one of the very few female impressionists of her era.

🎨 Frida Kahlo – Mexican painter known for her surreal self-portraits and themes of identity.

📸 Dorothea Lange – Documentary photographer who captured images of the Great Depression.

👗 Vera Wang – Fashion designer known for innovation and timeless elegance.

🔴 Yayoi Kusama – Japanese artist famous for her polka dots, infinity rooms, and immersive installations.

🌺 Georgia O’Keeffe – Modernist painter who redefined nature and abstraction in art.

🟦 Alma Thomas – African American painter celebrated for her bold, colorful abstract work.

📝 Barbara Kruger – Conceptual artist known for bold text and themes.

Each student will research one artist, analyze their techniques and themes, and create an original artwork inspired by them. This hands-on learning experience encourages creativity, critical thinking, and appreciation for diverse artistic voices.

At the end of the project, students will write an artist statement and participate in a class art exhibition to showcase their work.

We look forward to sharing their amazing creations with you! Thank you for supporting our young artists as they explore the impact of women in the arts.

P.S. The entry experience into this project is going to be 🔥!

Black History Month Artist Study and Artwork

This month, our 8th-grade art students have been working on a special project in celebration of Black History Month. Through the study of four influential Black artists—Fahamu Pecou, Lorna Simpson, Faith Ringgold, and Kehinde Wiley—students explored themes of identity, history, empowerment, and cultural expression.

Each student selected one of these artists, researched their style and themes, and created an original artwork inspired by their techniques. The project encouraged students to think critically about representation in art, reflect on historical and contemporary influences, and develop their own artistic voices.

We are excited to share their hard work with you! Their pieces will be showcased in the 8th Grade STEAM Showcase exhibit, accompanied by artist statements where students explain their creative process and inspiration. Thank you for supporting their artistic growth and for celebrating this meaningful project with us!

2023-2024 SPECIAL OPS Projects

VRcade Arcade Machine: these students will build one working arcade machine using repurposed plexiglass shields and arcade machine equipment.

Fisher Mural Design: these students will help design and create a mural on the walls near the art room (with funding and permissions).

VR Student Art Museum Development: these students will curate exhibits in the PJFMS Virtual Museum of Student Art (displayed in Spatial).