October Newsletter

Please enjoy our October Newsletter, which includes our learning objectives and plans for the month. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Ms. Palmer or Mrs. Lutzwolf at any time through this blog!

October Newsletter

Painting on the Beach and Makerspoint

Tuesday the 29th brought the first field trip for the Arts track.  Students were given an exclusive tour of Makerspoint in Sandpoint.  Makerspoint is an artist cooperative that provides the space and tools to do just about any kind of art.  For a monthly fee, members can do woodworking, welding, sewing, 3-D printing, and so much more.  Students got to see all of the equipment, much of it in action, and ask questions about possible projects.  They also received laser-cut monocles and mustaches, much to their delight (and to Ms. Palmer's and Mrs. L's).

Arts Track students after their tour of Makerspoint.  Don't they look dashing with mustaches and monocles?

In particular, Mrs. L. looks quite sophisticated.

Following the tour, the group traveled to City Beach in Sandpoint.  It was a beautiful day, and students took advantage of it by honing their watercolor painting craft in the Plein Air style.  Spread out around the park and beach, students had unique perspectives on their paintings.  Most included the water, but some did tree scenes.  The Arts track will be teaching this form of painting to the Outdoor track on the 13th.  Lastly, local business employee Donna Brundage gave students an impromptu look at how arts are applied in business at I Saw Something Shiny.  Students learned what it takes to create clothes with hand-placed rhinestones and sequins, and about the marketing behind the store.

Kristi and Leslie pause for a moment while painting from the lifeguard tower

Brian, Evan, and Alex claim a section of the beach

Maria shows off her beautiful Plein Air of the lake and mountains

Costume Design and the Business of Art

Thursday morning students in the Arts track spent time learning the basics of costume design with Ms. Palmer, who has taught theater at both the high school and college level for almost ten years.  Focusing on theatrical, rather than movie, design, students learned how lighting and movement on stage can affect actors in costumes.  They also learned about color symbolism, and how costume designers use color to create certain effects on stage.  The lesson culminated with students creating a story synopsis involving four types of characters after being assigned an historical era.  They then created renderings of the costumes for those four characters.

Monique, Cicorra, and Maddie tell their story set in the Cavalier era.

Shyla Jones shows her excellent rendering of a king.

Ellie Kiebert shows her Victorian dress, with colors chosen to represent her character

Sara Anderson shows her 18th Century gentleman's attire

This group shows their early 20th century designs

Brian, Evan, and Victoria talk about their story, set in the Civil War

Some excellent costumes were created!

Thursday afternoon, Mrs. L. worked with students as they learned the ins and outs of the business of art.  Working in multi-age groups, students used their creativity to invent a businesses utilizing each person's creative interest. They created names, logos, services, products, and aspirations for their businesses

Plein Air

On Tuesday, professional Plein Air artist Jared Shear traveled from Thompson Falls, Montana, to teach the students in the Arts track how to do Plein Air painting.  Plein Air, defined as the open air, especially during daylight hours (and referring to a painting style in said open air used in the 19th century), is a new style to most students.  They traveled by foot down to the river as Mr. Shear discussed technique, and then demonstrated for them.  Students then practiced techniques on their own.  Next week, the group will travel to City Beach in Sandpoint for another hand at the style before teaching the Outdoors Track what they know in future lessons.

Paper Arts Days

Thursday and Friday were spent exploring, practicing, and mastering elements of art with paper as a medium.  Students learned how to make their own paper using a blender and a screen, how to create intricate paper flowers with tissue paper, how to use a printing press after etching their own designs in acrylic, and the basics of calligraphy.  By the end of the two days, students had created their own paper, designed a thank you card, and made two flowers.  The cards will eventually go to those who support the arts track as guest speakers or financial donors.

The most popular activity was using Mrs. Lutzwolf's printing press that she brought from home.  Kids enjoyed seeing their sketches go from a thought to a reproducible object in a matter of minutes.
Next week students will get to work with a Plein Air artist to hone their painting skills, and learn the ins and outs of theatrical costume design.

Sophie demonstrates the mess involved in printmaking

Eliska, Catherine, and Lily make paper in the background, while paper dries in the foreground

Students write in their field notebooks at the end of the day about what they learned

Mrs. L. demonstrates the papermaking process

Some of the flowers created by students, including begonias, roses, dahlias, and peonies.

Mrs. L. shows Sammy how to run the blender for papermaking

Jane pushes the button to create the base for paper

Students create their thank you cards using their homemade paper and printmaking results

Mrs. L. passes around a piece of homemade paper

Nona and Hannah demonstrate how to use the printmaking machine

Yesterday was our first day with the experiential learning tracks.  Students in the Arts track got to know each other and themselves a little better through a variety of activities.  The day started with an icebreaker called "This or That", where students made a choice between two things (ocean or desert, for example), and all students who agreed raised their hands.  For everyone who agreed, a string was looped around a nail on a canvas.  The end result was an amazing piece of artwork that represents all the members.

Students then explored Plein Air painting by learning about composition, blocking, and theme.  They next explored ideas for personal art projects they will be creating for a juried art show in January.  The day ended with students working in groups to create a sculpture based on a feeling or emotion.  The results were outstanding!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Arts Experiential Learning Track at Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School!