8th+Grade+Elective

The year long elective allows 8th graders to explore traditional and more modern methods of art making. We experiment with traditional techniques of printmaking using modern materials. Also Adobe Photoshop is used to create original art.

We review a Power Point presentation on the evolution of printmaking.

To celebrate El Dia De Los Muertos (The Day Of The Dead) (October 31st - November 2) We watch a documentary: __The Day of the Dead, A Celabration of Family and Life__ And take notes & sketch in our sketchbook (graded) We explore skull & flower designs created by Ed Hardy & Christian Audiguier I show them a few clips from a documentary: Tattoo The World Video: First Tattoo shop Video: Drawing Flash

Students are to create a foam print OR PS4 file capturing imagery of The Day of the Dead It may include: Flowers, candles, skulls, food & beverage (offerendas or offerings), Baners with names, etc...



Adinkra Symbols We study the culture of West Africa, specifically the country of Ghana. [|West African Adinkra symbols] We watch video clips of traditional adinkra cloth dyeing methods demonstrated in Africa. [|What is Adinkra?] [|How is Adinkra Made?] Students choose symbols (or combine them to create their own) and carve the symbols into easy cut material creating stamps. Test prints are done on paper.

Students dye their fabric and then print their symbols on the fabric.



Social Justice- Child Slave Labor Hershey's Have a Heart Valentines I shared my experience with Fair Trade and how it helps keep children safe, healthy and provides education. In class we watched an excerpt of a documentary on child slave labor in the cocoa trade. [|CNN Chocolate's Child Slaves] Outraged, students created valentines with strong messages to send to Hershey's to encourage them to look into the wrong doing. Our voices were heard along with other students' around NY and Hershey's has vowed to look into the matter.They will no longer turn their backs on these defenseless children around the world who are harvesting the cocoa plants. We are proud to know we have been part of a global change that effects the lives of children around the world. I read the press release to the class about how Hersey listened and how they plan to respond.

[|Fair Trade Valentines]

[|Hershey Melts...A Little]

Students study the history of the Illuminated Manuscript. Choosing and designing a letter students print in metallic and add colored designs according to one of the 5 traditional styles.

[|Doodle for Google] We look at past doodles that have been featured on Google. I ask students to come up with an original idea and design their own doodle for the annual contest.

Pop Art- Andy Warhol Students read and discuss the artists life and work. We view and discuss some examples of his work. Students chose a logo and created a template on tracing paper. They used the rubbing transfer method to get their image on both sides of a block of ez cut. One side was hand painted with ink and printed as a mono print. They then carved the opposite side to be rolled up with ink and printed on top of the mono prints. Students were to create 4 color combinations of their images. Students also create a PS4 file manipulating a celebrity of choice. Similar to Warhol's famous Marlin Monroe's and other celebrity silkscreens in bright popping colors, students are to experiment and create an original image.