January, 23, 2008

Theme: Mini Diaramas

Goal of Session and/or Activity:

The students were given a cigar  box and asked to create a scene from a supply of materials described below.  The students will then be asked to create titles and a short description of what is happening in the diorama in a future writing class.  Photos were taken with a digital camera of finish items.  Photos were then cropped to enhance focal points.

This is a collage of eight dioramas.  The themes varied from imitation of nature to the surreal.

Books and/or Materials included:  cigar boxes, scenic calandars and magazines, scrap booking papers, novelty buttons, plastic figures of various themes, air drying clay, Elmer’s glue, hot glue gun, glitter, dried plant mater, various sands and gravels for model railroad scenery, paint, encouragement, a digital camera and a hour’s worth of imagination. 

Number Attending:   Eight Students.

January 9, 2008

Theme:  Effigies, Poppets, Pincushions and voodoo dolls.

Goal of Session or Activity:  Students will create Voodoo dolls or poppets to represent New Year resolutions that they hope to achieve.  Instructor will show examples of Voodoo dolls, Effigies, Worry Dolls, Worry ponies, and amulets from around the world that are used to help people visualize goals.  The emphasis will be on positive change.  An alternative activity will be creating a pincushion, or Ojo de Dios decoration.  Students will begin class by privately writing down New Years goals that they have chosen for their self.  These goals will be folded and pinned to effigy as a reminder to help keep focused on the goal as time passes.  The therapeutic value of goal visualization will be explored as will be cultural variations on the theme.  Religious and philosophical beliefs and values will not be explored in this exercise which is purely artistic in nature.

Books and /or materials featured: Yarns, Fabrics, dowels and pipe cleaners for armatures.  Ginger bread boy cut outs that can be used as a base.  Clay, beads and embellishments.  Examples of Voodoo Dolls, Worry dolls, Milagros, Poppets and amulets from Instructors collection were examined and discussed.

Number Attending:

Tween Art and Writing Spring Schedule 2008 (tenative)

           Date                 Theme/Activity:

•  01/02/08        Writing/Story 1:Plan-Type, Point of View,
• (Genre & Idea Brainstorming)
• 01/09/08         Art: Effigies, Poppets, Pincushions & voodoo-dolls.
• 01/16/08          Writing/Story 2: Character Creation
• 01/23/08          Art: Mini Dioramas
• 01/30/08          Art/What’s under you bed? Floor Plans. 
• 02/06/08          Art: Chinese New Year/Scrolls
• 02/13/08          Writing/Mystery @ the house of hearts.
• 02/20/08          Art: Time Capsule
• 02/27/08         Writing/Story3:    
• (Plotting the problem and brainstorming)
• 03/05/08         Art: Mosaic tile project.
• 03/12/08         Writing/Story 4: Setting and Description
• 03/19/08          Art: Lamps
• 03/26/08        Writing/Poems
• 04/02/08          Art:  Kites
• 04/09/08         Writing/Story 5: Motivation/reaction.
• 04/16/08          Art:  Fusion Picture
• 04/23/08          Writing/Story 6:  
• 04/30/08       Art:  Cinco de Mayo!  Decorate Sombreros and sample Tex/Mex snacks!

**NOTE:  SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO SPONTANEOUS CHANGES.