St. Christopher School

MARCH NEWS!!

Art Highlights:  Aty teaches us to see!

Print of the month:  Country Music by Thomas Benton 1889 to 1975.

We will learn about texture ( actual and simulated).

Quote:  "Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. Luke 11:28

Projects:  Still lifes incorporating different aspects of texture.  We will also do projects

and share books that are age appropriate in the First and Second grades.

February News

Art teaches us to see!

This month, our art print is Alexander Gardner's photograph of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. It was the last picture that Abraham Lincoln posed for before his assassination two months later.  Abraham Lincoln had a difficult time sitting still.  His face shows the worry and concern for the Civi War that was going on in the country at that time.

SHAPE:  We will talk about shape, how it is defined, edges and control of attention.

Quote:  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  Phillipians 4:13

We will be working on still lifes.

January Visual Arts

Picture Study:  The Peacock Room by James McNeil Whistler.  We will talk about LINE, character and emotional properties of Art.

Quote:  "I believe in the sun even when it is not shining...I believe in love even when I feel it not...I believe in God even when He is silent."  anon.

Some activities will be to draw a picture of your Mother (may bring in a picture for this activity), learn about Asian decor, draw and describe a picture of the most important room in your home.

Whistler was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on Worthen Street.  He died in London, England.  His birthplace is currently a museum.  If you have a chance to visit it someday, you will learn a lot about Whistler's life, his art and the respect and esteem that the people of Lowell have for him.

Bev Landry is from Lowell and will have much to share on the subject.

The art grade is for class participation and effort.  The instructor wants everyone to feel successful in this wonderful subject.

Art project in Photography is due on or before January 15th.  (optional)

Looking forward to a very Happy New Year with the St. Chris Art students!

DECEMBER NEWS

In December, the Visual Arts program will be talking about the photograph entitled Migrant Mother taken by Dorothea Lange in the 30's during the Great Depression.  The picture is world famous.  The migrant mother is a full blooded Cherokee Native American with her children who was a migrant worker in California.  Dorothea lange captured her stress and hopelessness in the photograph.  The sixth graders will be doing a Photography Project where they will try to capture emotions  of their subjects.  We may be getting a donation of "one time use" cameras for this project.  If not the students can use their own cameras and share.

This print was selected from the Pictuing America series for December because this nameless mother is sometimes called "the Renaissance Madonna".  All classes will be sharing this work of art with projects in balance, proportion and organization.

Bible Quote:  Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

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 This school year at St. Christopher School we will offer a Fine Arts program. This program will strengthen the school and church community through active participation in music, visual arts and the performing arts of drama, dance and clowning.

Visual Arts:
Visual arts will offer experiences in painting, drawing, sculpting, photography and a bi weekly media club (video, recording).
The Visual Arts Program will offer the Picturing America program fro the National Endowment for the Arts.

September will feature the piece"Autumn Landscape" by Louis Comfort Tiffany.  Experiences in mosaic facsimile and the art of glass making and the practical use and nature of art will be talked about in the classroom.  A visit to the church will be part of one of the lessons to experience first hand the actual viewing of stain glass windows.

Music:
Music will offer Chorus for Grades 4, 5 and 6.
The Hand Chime Choir will be an option for Grades 3 through 6
Band and Orchestra will offer an opportunity for children to participate in group performance.

Performing Arts:
Drama and Theater Arts will be offered through the year with a theatrical performance as a culminating experience for the students in the Spring.
A workshop in the Art of Clowning will be offered in November and in the Spring.  Students will learn skills such as juggling, plate spinning, balloon twisting, make up, costume design and performance as part of this program.  It will be offered to Grade 3-6 students.

Note:  There will be school events and opportunities throughout the school year to demonstrate the value of these strands in the fine arts program.

Dance:
The Dance strand of this program will be announced at a later date.