This article features Ken Vieth, an artist, a best-selling author, an international workshop presenter, and a master teacher with 33 years of experience working with students at the secondary level. Vieth first came to the notice of Davis Publications years ago through his many articles in this journal. He has written more than 60 articles for…

High-school students often tie the definition of art to a two-dimensional surface, obstructing possible solutions to visual problem-solving and restricting creative thinking. In this article, the author describes a project that inspired students to view arts as a social event: installation art. From a contemporary point of view, installation art…

In this article, the author describes how students can combine craft wire with clear packing tape to create a two-dimensional design that can be bent and twisted to create a three-dimensional form. Students sandwich wire designs between two layers of tape. (Contains 1 online resource.)

This article presents a lesson that allows third and fourth graders to forge the steel bodies of automobiles through repousse, the art of applying pressure to metal with a wooden point. In this lesson, the students draw cars paired with a landscape, making the road trip an adventure in drawing. Both parts of the lesson challenge students'…

In an attempt to incorporate sculptural elements into her ceramics program, the author decided to try direct plaster casting of the face to make a plaster mold for clay. In this article, the author shares an innovative ceramics lesson that teaches students in making plaster casts and casting the face in clay. This project gives students the…

Interdependence Day was launched in Philadelphia at the American Philosophical Society on September 12, 2003. The date was chosen deliberately as a post-9/11 symbol of regeneration, as a time to reflect on the tragedy of the incidents of terror, not only in the United States, but all over the world, and ask, "What next?" The shape of the hexagon…

This article presents an elementary studio lesson that aims to nurture students' knowledge of peace with art-making activities that enable them to discover the dynamic events that can develop within its presence. Through this lesson, students learn that peace, like art, does not happen on its own, but it is created. This lesson helps students…

The sculptures of Canadian artist Brian Jungen are a great inspiration for a lesson on creating new forms. Jungen transforms found objects into unique creations without fully concealing their original form or purpose. Frank Stella's sculpture series, including "K.132,2007" made of stainless steel and spray paint, is another great example of…

Learning about ancient art and art from different cultures can be fascinating. It is an important factor in helping students to broaden their horizons and appreciate differences. Creating art while employing newfound knowledge is especially interesting and fun for students. In this article, the author shares how she keeps this in mind each time…

A sky fading from blue to white to red at the horizon, and water darkening from light to midnight blue. Strong diagonals slashing through the image, drawing a viewer's eyes deeper into the picture, and delicate trees poised to convey a sense of beauty. These are the fascinating strengths of the ukiyo-e woodblock prints of Japanese artist Ando…

In this article, the authors describe how they incorporated environmental awareness into their art curriculum. Here, they describe a digital photography project in which their students used flatbed scanners as cameras. Their students composed their objects directly on the scanner. The lesson enabled students to realize that artists have voices…

In this article, the author discusses how aesthetics can be thought of as a worldview. She discusses how many non-Western cultures recognize no distinction between fine art and craft, may not even have a word for "art", and may not separate art from everyday life. The Japanese culture is an example of a culture that made no distinction between…

Learning about the kimono is a great way to explore pattern design and Japanese culture at the same time. The kimono is the traditional clothing commonly associated with Japan, and is still worn today by both men and women, although generally only for celebrations and wedding ceremonies. In this article, the author describes a kimono painting…

The students in the author's first grade class looked at Picasso's painting, "The Three Musicians," and observed how Picasso made the objects and people appear squared or "cubed." This style of art is called Cubism. In this article, the author describes a painting project that required her students to paint a Cubist snowman. This project helped…

In the December 1997 issue of "SchoolArts" is a lesson titled "Blue Willow Story Plates" by Susan Striker. In this article, the author shares how she used this lesson with her middle-school students many times over the years. Here, she describes a Blue Willow plate painting project that her students made.