2010 Graduates' "Silhouettes Never to Forget"

Our very last big art project at the end of the year was decorating the auditorium with our "Silhouettes Never to Forget!" It took me long enough to post it, but end of year is busy as we all know. 8th grade students had imitated the style of Kara Walker, an artist famous for her designs made from cutting out of black paper. Below is Kara Walker and her artwork.

Using a camera, projector and black paper, the students created their own unique silhouette. It became a school-wide art project with students from every grade helping to cut out clouds, cats, flowers, leaves, graduation caps, and more. Not the mention the numerous helpers who have taped up the many details. Thanks to everyone for all their hard work and the Kids in Need Foundation (Ann Taylor Loft) who funded the project. I never got a chance to take pictures of the final work...believe it or not, it got even better :-)

Artwork by Akilah...Silhouette by Jennifer
Artwork by Tejuan, Alvin, Ebony
Artwork by Khayla, Breantia, Jallayha
Artwork by Devonya

Black History Month with Aaron Douglas

Aaron Douglas has been called the father of African American art. Douglas was an important part of the circle of artists and writers we now call the Harlem Renaissance. His paintings reflect his confidence that African Americans can learn from the past "to carry us on to new and higher levels of achievement." Many paintings of Africans creating civilizations, overcoming oppression, and building new worlds. Working in 1920- 40s, Douglas proudly showed black Americans with their African past before the dawn of the civil rights movement.

**Remember click on artwork for close-up, there are great details to see**

The students were given the choice of doing their own interpretation of one of his painting or do n "abstract" work of art using Aaron Douglas' style as their inspiration

Adrian and Jennifer chose to do abstract interpretations of Aaron Douglas' paintings.

Aspirations (1936) contains symbols of musical accomplishment and achievement in scholarship and business Unlike many of the artists who have come of age after the civil rights era, Douglas is most interested in showing self-determined success. Douglas' most common signifier of such is not government, but industry, as at top in 1936's Aspiration.

"Aspiration" Artwork by Jallayha and no name
Jungle scene by Aaron Douglas
Jungle scene by Kendra and Mayuan

Ship scene by Aaron Douglas
Ship scene by Chloe, I am so proud of how she used all those different values!
Ship sene by Darneisha, and again great use of values!
Ship scene by Fahrenheit
Ship scene by Lavonte
Ship scene by Malik

Go Chicago! Room 306 Skyline Design

Look at the previous post to see more information about our Chicago Cityscape project.
Artwork from 306:
Artwork by Jallayha
Artwork by Ebony
Artwork by Deangelo
Artwork by Byron
Artwork by Jeffon
Artwork by Brandon
Artwork by Malachi
Artwork by Tatianna