What We Are Working On

 Kindergarten- The students are creating an alphabet poster.  Each one creates a bubble letter and turns it into a character, and illustrates one thing that starts with their letter. 

1st Grade-  The students are creating a habitat.  They are learning about which animals live together, and selecting 3 to draw in their home. 

2nd Grade- The students are learning about transportation and technology.  They are creating a foam printing plate of a vehicle.  They are printing their plate using a brayer and ink.  They are creating several prints for themselves, and printing theirs once on a class poster.

3rd Grade- The students are using clay to create a fossil of an imaginary extinct animal.  They are creating a companion illustration of what their animal looked like and where it lived.

4th Grade- The students went outside and sketched a view of Piestawa Peak. They are using their drawing to create a watercolor painting in the style of Katsushika Hokusai.  We are learning about his use of space, thin outlines, and detail.  We also discussed how his work influenced the artist Vincent Van Gogh. 

"Maps" Summer Art Workshop

A small group of talented Simis artists met this summer to show their creativity by making maps for a community art show.  The kids worked together in collaborative groups to research different types of maps.  Each group chose a theme and designed their project.  One group chose to make a realistic map of Ancient Greece because they “love the subject” and “thought it would be very interesting for others."  Another group created an imaginary land called Rainbow Island.  Their painting was full complimentary shapes, creative characters and bright colors.  One map showed a treacherous chain of islands that features an assortment of legendary creatures.   The last group made a personal map of what was on their minds, calling it “a picture of our brains, all mushed and squished together.  We came up with the idea when we saw a weird picture of a brain in a helpful book."  They all tried different types of art materials and surfaces, and when they finished they had created 5 big, unique pieces of art.  Their maps are being displayed at the A.S.U. downtown campus, alongside other students of all ages and even some adults.  If you want to see their work in person, you can go to the University Center at 411 N. Central Avenue.  It is on the second floor.

Sketchbooks

The students have started their year by creating their own sketchbook.  The sketchbook provides a place for the kids to practice drawing, explore their interests, and develop their own style. At the end of the year, it will be full of sketches and will showcase their improving skills.

Student Exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum

March is Youth Art Month, and the Phoenix Art Museum is holding a student show to celebrate.  The show is up all month in their Education Center, but on Wednesday, March 21 there was a reception for the participating artists.  Two Simis students had their work displayed and came to the reception to see the other student's artwork, show their families their pieces, and take pictures. Thank you to the Phoenix Art Museum for supporting our student artists and providing them an opportunity to show their artwork.

 

What We Are Working On

4th Grade-  The students are finishing up their model buildings.  They carved, painted and drew windows on styrofoam blocks.  The entire grades pieces will be on display during open house, so stop by the art room if you would like to check them out. 
3rd Grade-  They are continuing to build sculptures of the animals they created.  The majority of students have finished constructing their tape and newspaper armatures (the basic form).  They are now covering the surface with papier mache and painting their pieces using tempera.  Next, they draw on the details with a sharpie and paint them with tempera cakes.
2nd Grade-  We are doing a project that ties in with their I.B. central idea and theme that they are learning about in their classroom.  They are learning how to draw self portraits using mirrors, and about proportion.  The background they create will reflect one I.B. attitude that they display (like creativity, confidence, commitment, etc.). 
1st Grade-  Students are designing the interior of a house.  They have four rooms that they have to create at least 5 items or details to fill with.  We will create an exterior by folding construction paper that will open to reveal the inside of the house and their drawing. 

District Office Display Case

Every school in the Madison District displays student's artwork for one month at the District Office. March is the month that Simis artists get to show their hard work. Pieces from each grade level are represented, and are chosen based on creativity and craftsmanship. If you would like to see their work in person, the district office is located at 5601 N. 16th Street and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m till 4:30 p.m.

I.B. Illustrations for the Office

The Simis After School Artists have created posters showing the I.B. key concepts, attitudes and learner profile.  Their work is framed and hanging on the walls in the front office.  Take a look next time you stop by.