Embedded Files
Overarching Theme for 8th Grade:
Careers in Art
Students will explore and express their personal identity through their artwork, using symbolism and visual storytelling to communicate what defines them as artists. Emphasis will be placed on developing original ideas and using art as a form of self-expression. To culminate their learning, students will create a large-scale statement piece that represents who they are—both as individuals and as emerging artists.
Semester 1
Semester 1
Printmaking Collographs
Metamorphosis acrylic paintings
Painting large silhouettes for the nearby alley
Wheel Thrown Pottery
Periodic Table of Elements CD case covers
Cardboard sculpture of a Shoe
Semester 2
Semester 2
Elements of Art Review
Westward Expansion Mural
Interactive Sculpture
Zine Culture and Publishing
Advanced Collographs
Master Relief Sculpture
Cardboard Car Creations
Blue Print Technical Rocket Drawings
Pottery for Exhibition
Westward Expansion Mural Collaboration
Westward Expansion Mural Collaboration
Project Overview
In this project, students created a collaborative mural inspired by Edgar Payne, a famous landscape artist from the time of the Westward Expansion. Students learned about the life of the artist, including his painting style, use of color, and how he captured the vast, dramatic landscapes of the American West. After studying Payne’s techniques and subject matter, students applied their knowledge to design and complete one section of a group mural that, when combined, forms a large, cohesive landscape scene. Students focused on elements such as perspective, texture, and atmospheric depth while also exploring how art was used to document and romanticize the expansion into western territories. The final mural highlights individual student contributions while showcasing a unified visual narrative inspired by Payne’s artistic legacy.
Learning Target
"I can analyze the style and historical context of Edgar Payne’s landscape art and apply his techniques to collaboratively create a mural that reflects the natural environment and artistic themes of the Westward Expansion."
Justice System Typography Portrait
Justice System Typography Portrait
Project Overview
In this project, students created a unique portrait of a figure from the justice system—such as a lawyer, judge, or a notable individual involved in a court case they studied. The portraits combined realistic or stylized drawing techniques with carefully chosen words related to the justice system, focusing on their assigned court case.
Learning Target
"I can create a portrait of a figure from the justice system, using text to convey key concepts, themes, or details related to their role or court case, demonstrating my understanding of visual composition, typography, and thematic representation."
Cyanotype: Chemical Reaction Art
Cyanotype: Chemical Reaction Art
Project Overview
In this project, students will explore the art of cyanotype printing, using sunlight and a chemical reaction to create unique blue-toned prints. This process, developed in the 19th century, uses light-sensitive chemicals to produce beautiful blue and white images when exposed to sunlight. Students will learn about the chemical reaction involved in cyanotype and experiment with creating both organic and structured compositions.
Learning Target:
“I can use cyanotype techniques to create artwork by controlling light exposure and chemical reactions, understanding the historical and scientific context of this photographic process.”
Scratch Drawing
Scratch Drawing
Project Overview
In this project, students will explore how to create dimension by drawing with light rather than shadow. Using scratch-off paper, students will reveal bright lines on a dark surface, focusing on how light defines form and adds depth without traditional shading techniques.
Students will learn to differentiate between additive art (building up layers) and subtractive art (removing layers), with scratch-off drawing as a hands-on approach to subtractive technique. Through this process, they will experiment with creating highlights, contours, and textures to bring their artwork to life, developing an understanding of how light can shape dimension in unique ways.
Learning Target
“I can create dimension within an art piece using light rather than shadow, understanding the difference between additive and subtractive art."
Theme Project
Theme Project
Project Overview
Prepare to open new doors to creativity! Students this semester were tasked with completing an 8th grade version of the AP Art project. Each student was asked to pick a theme from the given list, and to create at least 4 projects along that theme. Ideally, this will help the class flush out the simple ideas we have seen before, and allow them to explore new concepts and forms of creation. Each art piece must be different, and represent the theme in a unique way. Once each project is complete, students reflected on the process and practice writing artist statements to go along with the work.
Learning Target
"I can create an original work of art that effectively communicates a chosen theme using appropriate visual elements and principles of design."
Visual Art Standards Met
Visual Art Standards Met
1.2: Synthesize and evaluate how time, culture and artistic style relates to contemporary art concerns.
1.3: Apply key concepts, issues and themes of the visual arts to solve problems using real-world applications.
2.11: Utilize visual literacy skills to establish personal meaning and interpret the artistic intent of others.
2.2: Analyze, interpret and make informed judgments about works of art using different points of view.
Rocket Technical Drawing
Rocket Technical Drawing
Project Overview
The purpose of the technical drawings in the 2L Bottle Rocket Launch Project is to provide a comprehensive and visual representation of each team's rocket design and egg drop protection system. These technical drawings serve as a crucial communication tool, allowing students to convey the details of their engineering and design choices.
Learning Target
" I can apply key concepts, issues and themes of the visual arts to solve problems using real-world applications."
Rocket Launch Poster
Rocket Launch Poster
Project Overview
Students were tasked with creating rocket poster, to create excitement for their rocket exhibition. They could consider what happens to their rocket once their rocket leaves their atmosphere, or create a movie poster for the event.
Learning Target
"I can collaboratively prepare and present selected theme-based artwork for display, and formulate exhibition narratives for the viewer."
Surrealism collaboration
Surrealism collaboration
Project Overview
Surrealism aims to push one's boundaries of creativity. It balances a rational vision of life with one that gives power to the unconscious and dreams. The movement’s artists find magic and strange beauty in the unexpected and the weird, the disregarded and the unconventional. The goal of this project is to challenge students to reach deep into their imagination, to create a world that combines dreams with reality. Students worked in groups, combining elements of each students ideas to create their final artwork.
Learning Objective
" I can make art collaboratively to reflect on and reinforce positive aspects of group identity."
"I can experiment, innovate, and take risks to pursue ideas, forms, and meanings that emerge in the process of art-making or designing."
Perspective Drawing
Perspective Drawing
Project Overview
In class, students were taught how to use one and two point perspective techniques in order to create a sense of depth. The use of rulers, shading, proper angles and scale help create the illusion of objects receding into space.
Learning Objective
"I can demonstrate quality craftsmanship through care for and use of materials, tools, and equipment."
"I can experiment and develop skills in multiple art-making techniques and approaches through practice."
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