March is Youth Art Month!

Youth Art Month was celebrated on Sunday, March 11, in Des Moines at the Iowa Historical Building with winners from throughout the state! This included two of my students - Jade and Leone! Leone is pictured in the group photo in the blue shirt next to me. Others in the group picture also represent Fairfield Community Schools. Congratulations to all of our winners of this honor!  They were given a medallion and a certificate by representatives of Art Educators of Iowa! Jade is in the separate picture with me. The art work of all the state winners will be on display for the month of March at the State Historical Building, next to the state capitol.

Ceramic Sculptures Coming Along

Ceramic sculptures by the students are coming along nicely. Like this one from last year (pictured) they will be glazed and then fired a second time. The finished products will be on display at the Elementary Art Show on May 12 and 13 this spring. For this event the gym and halls of Pence turn into a gallery featuring art by every student in every building K-4 for FCSD. Mark your calendars and plan to come!

Reverse Symmetry

Reverse symmetry has been the focus of second graders lately!
Their reverse symmetry faces look awesome! Way to go, second graders!

January Art Walk Promises Youth Art

The January Art Walk on Fri., Jan. 6, will feature a display of youth art work from various schools. The work above by Jacy, a first grader at Libertyville Elementary, is one example of a piece of artwork that will be on display. There will be a reception with refreshments from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fairfield Public Library. Everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy seeing examples of what fine art is produced by students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This is a great time to come and enjoy seeing the wonderful creations by some of our students. This January show is a sampling of some of the fine art already produced this fall by some of our students.Of course we could not include every single student in this sampling. That will be accomplished in the spring with the Elementary Art Show in May. Every student K-4 will have work on display for the May event. 

Sculpting Continues

'Tis the season... to get messy, for us! It's that time in the art room. Time to get our clay projects done and drying so that later this winter they can be ready for the kiln. It's a tricky process. Above is a story teller doll from last year's show all finished. Students try to build a project that will make it through the kiln process twice, with glazing later this winter between the kiln firings. The results can be beautiful! It's fun to see our projects reach completion and make it to the spring art show! 
Kindergartners are making pinch pots. First graders are making simple sculptures like a single animal or person. Second graders are making their own version of a story teller doll (Pueblo tradition). Third graders are making an animal with a sphere like center. Fourth graders are making a relief sculpture of their self portrait. Good work, kids, becoming ceramic artists and sculptors!

Drawing and shading lessons on web

http://www.draw3d.com/schoolofimagination/school.html


The School of Imagination is a fun website which shows step by step a way to draw and shade several things. Once you master these you can try your own varieties and create more ideas. Some of the items are completely free, including the fish, jellyfish, pencil, and treasure chest.  If anyone is looking for a fun practice with a great teaching tool, here it is. Have fun! You do not need to join to try the free items. Check out the work by student art by students of all ages!

Thank you, Veterans!

Happy Veteran's Day and thank you to all our Veterans for all you have sacrificed to keep us safe and to preserve and protect our country! We cannot say thank you enough!

Two of my favorite Veterans, my father, David Noble, on the right, and his buddy Gordon Faught of Douds on the left.