the smART studio @ DeWitt

Welcome

The smART studio at DeWitt Middle School emphasizes three main tenets; creating and learning through design process thinking (studio habits of mind), thoughtful verbal and written reflection on Visual Language and it's conversation with the self and humanity, and connections between each other and the world outside our school environment.

So, find your interest and feed the curiosity! Investigate, explore, sketch, create, review, revise, inspire, be inspired and create again. The cycle of learning—the cycle of design—is more than a privilege, it's the pathway to understanding. Through the Arts we cultivate self-directed, self-motivated habits of mind that lead us through a life-long pursuit of learning and participating in society.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Visual Journal Challenge!! (3)

Visual Journal Challenge: A person you admire.

•Create a visual journal page based on a person who has inspired you.
•Creatively weave at least 5 descriptive words into your design.
•Use 3 different ART MEDIUMS (including one you have never used on a VJ before!)

And the student response...

Friday, November 30, 2012

Visual Journals!! (2)

Visual Journal Challenge.

The Challenge:
•Choose a song that you like. (It must be school appropriate.)
•Design a page inspired by the song.
•Include at least three lines of lyrics
•Include at least 3 different ART MEDIUMS!

And the student responses....

Visual Journal Unit!!

The visual journal is a creative way to explore, express and record your thoughts, ideas, life’s experiences, emotional reactions and our inner world. The visual journal uses both visual and verbal communication, strengthening the understanding of both. It is also a tool to becoming a more observant person, to being more creative, more willing to take the risks necessary to learn. It is also about discovering our own ways of learning, as each person has a unique and individual thinking process.

In essence, the visual journal is not only a major component in our art making process, but in our process of learning about the world!!

Start one today!!

Search 'Visual Journal' on this blog to see some student work form Quarter 2!!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Bring Your Family to School Night!

WELCOME new 6th grade parents and returning 7th and 8th grade families!! Check in with the art room blog now and then to see updates on students projects and some cool videos and links!!

Have an AWESOME year!!

Best,

Mrs. VanderMaas

Value, Contrast & Shading techniques....

Check out how this artist uses charcoal to create a high contrast (highlights and shadows) while shading to create the illusion of 3D!!

Friday, September 7, 2012

8th Grade Syllabus!

WELCOME BACK 8th graders!!

As 8th graders you now have ART every other day for an entire semester!

Remember to bring in your sketchbook and 1" binder NEXT class.

Below is the syllabus for reference. Your fist assignment is due NEXT CLASS (the book!).

Good Luck!

Mrs. VanderMaas

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Origami Integration Project!

Origami Integration Project from Caitlyn VanderMaas on Vimeo.