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.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Origami Integration Project!

Origami Integration Project from Caitlyn VanderMaas on Vimeo.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Stop-Motion Animation!!

Eight graders have started their final project of the year—a stop-motion animation project! Below you can view some demo and practice videos. As part of the creativity process, students brainstorm, plan, sketch and explore the medium before starting on a final project. Enjoy!

More 'practice" videos to come. And, stay tuned for the FINAL PROJECT VIDEOS!!

-Ms. V

Friday, May 18, 2012

Flip Books!!

The flip book is a great way to learn drawing skills and concepts of movement, space, rhythm... and the list goes on! But most of all...its FUN!! Check out a few inspirational videos below and some from our one-day class activity too!!

INSPIRATIONAL VIDEOS FROM YouTube:

HOW TO FOR A SIMPLE FLIP BOOK:

FIRST FLIP BOOK FROM OUR ONE-DAY CLASS ACTIVITY!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Social Media and the Global Community!!

This short film sparked an awesome discussion between students in my art classes about how the internet and social media has changed the way we share, communicate and become participants in the global community!!

The Sketchbook Project!

Check it out. Enrollment is open now for the sketchbook project!

http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

Monday, May 7, 2012

In Progress...

Radial Symmetry Name Designs...

Friday, May 4, 2012

Typography

Eight grade students did an awesome job with their first photoshop project, Type as Image! Below, students used Photoshop type tools to manipulate size, color, font, orientation, and scale. With type as their medium instead of paint or oil pastels, students created images of objects that hold personal meaning to their lives.