WCS Art Teachers Put Grant Money to Good Use

Published February 28, 2014

Students at five Williamson County schools are reaping the rewards of a $2,500 donation by Williamson Medical Center. The money was presented to the district in the spring of 2013, and art teachers were encouraged to apply for mini-grants. A total of five schools were selected as recipients. Below is a description of how each school is using that money to improve their art program.

Crockett Elementary

Students at Crockett Elementary School are learning about printing. Their grant award provided a slab roller, linoleum block stoppers for printing plates and six table top easels. The first project focused on students rolling out slab sheets of clay and cutting mathematical measurements in order to build a container or structure. The block stoppers allowed students to safely cut linoleum printing plates, and the easels allowed them to feel like real artist by painting upright. Students as young as kindergarten were able to participate in lessons with these materials.

 

Chapman's Retreat

Chapman’s Retreat purchased a printing press with its grant money. Kindergartners printed apples; first grade carved styrofoam trays and dipped them in ink for prints; second grade used everyday objects to create stamps; third grade created a gyotaku fish print; fourth grade used vis-a-vis markers on an acrylic plate; and fifth grade did a reverse printmaking technique with graphite.

 

Fairview Middle

The students at Fairview Middle School will use their grant money to visit Cheekwood Art and Gardens in Nashville to see several exhibits this spring. As part of the WCS Scope and Sequence, students in seventh grade analyze the elements of art and principles of design. By the time the students go on this field trip in the spring, they will have studied the art critique process and will be able to apply it in an actual art viewing situation.

 

Fairview High

Fairview High expanded their special needs art program with their allotted grant money. Students created a group art display for Fairview's upcoming Special Olympics, and the school's art program also purchased specialty paints, stencils and larger brushes that assist in motor skill development.

 

Summit High

Summit High School purchased xacto knives and self-healing cutting mats through the mini-grant program. The Art I students created a pop up fairy tale book out of different kinds of paper. The knives and mats allowed the students to create intricate details not possible with scissors creating a more advanced and aesthetically pleasing project. Art II created a Scherenschnitt (a Swiss cut paper technique) of a design they created. These intricate designs are only possible with the use of these knives and mats. Art III created a three dimensional cut paper themed book incorporating both pop ups and cut scenes using these tools.