Kuna Indian Molas

Do you know what a Kuna Mola is? Ask a 5th grader, they know!  

I spent my high school years in the Republic of Panama.  While there I was introduced to the very rich culture of the Kuna people.  Kuna People live in the San Blas Islands of the Republic of Panama and are one of the last known matriarchal societies.  Molas are hand-made textile art created by Kuna women.  They are usually several layers thick.  The designs are created by cutting away parts of each layer to reveal different colored layers below.  The process is known as reverse applique. As part of our cultural study this year, 5th grade students created their own molas after studying this unique art of the Kuna people.  Instead of fabric, fifth graders created paper molas and used x-acto knives to cut though to reveal layers underneath.  

Below you will find photos of a few students creating their molas,  followed by some of their finished molas.  

Cultural Arts Day

Cultural Arts Day was another huge success this year!!

Our display was front and center - the first thing viewers saw as they entered the show! 

Anne's Hidden Face Map

5th Grade

Dennis' Hidden Face Map

5th Grade

Maya's Senufo Cloth 

4th Grade

Ava's Beach Painting

4th Grade

Katelyn's Sun and Mood Metal Embossing

4th Grade

Drew's Sun and Moon Metal Embossing 

4th Grade

Kaya's Sun and Moon Metal Embossing

4th Grade

Spencer's Animal Print

3rd Grade

Abigail's Animal Print

3rd Grade

Luke's Animal Print

3rd Grade

Evelyn's Frida Inspired Self-Portrait 

2nd Grade

Anna's Frida Inspired Self-Portrait

2nd Grade

Thomas' Oil Pastel Owl 

1st Grade

Lia's Oil Pastel Owl

1st Grade

Brooke's Oil Pastel Owl

1st Grade

Multicultural Arts Day Artists Announced!

We are proud to announce the students who will represent Timber Trail at this years Cultural Arts Day Art Show. The Art Show is this Saturday March 4th from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Cultural Arts Day is located at the Southridge Recreation Center in Highlands Ranch. Congratulations to all of our terrific Timber Trail artists!

Thomas in Mrs. Shade's first grade class

Brooke in Mrs. Hagglund's first grade class

Lia in Mrs. Hagglund's first grade class

Evelyn in Mrs. Bove's second grade class.

Anna in Mrs. Bove's second grade class

Abigail E in Mrs. P King's third grade class

Spencer in Mrs. P. King's third grae class

Luke in Mrs. McClusky's third grade class

Ava in Mrs. Proctor's fourth grade class

Maya in Mrs. Proctor's fourth grade class

Katelyn in Mr. Greene's fourth grade class

Kaya in Mrs. Roundy's fourth grade class

Drew in Mr. Greene's fourth grade class

Dennis in Mrs. Carpenter's fifth grade class

Anne in Mrs. Hayne's fifth grade class

Senufo Art

The Senufo people of West Africa's Ivory Coast are renowned for their cloth paintings. They believe their paintings have special meaning and help protect them in in their daily lives. Designs usually include animals from their area that are covered in patterns.  Traditionally they would create their paintings on hand woven fabrics using natural fibers, natural dies made from plants and mud from the roots of trees.

Inspired by the artistic tradition of the Senufo people, fourth grade artists drew and painted on raw canvas to create their own cloth paintings. They are currently on display in outside the TTE Library,.  If you want to see them in person, do so soon because they are coming down next week! 

but Below are some of their works. 

Remembering Trey

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Latin American Holiday traditionally observed on Nov. 1 and 2.  Dia de los Muertos is a lighthearted and joyful tribute to the memory of family and friends that have passed away. It is about remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones.

Each year at TTE third graders participate in this beautiful custom by creating a Calavera (Sugar Skull) in memory of a loved one or pet.   Students celebrate the live's of their remembered love ones through the creation and decoration of their Calavera using symbols that are unique to those they are celebrating. As a teacher it warms my heart to have a student truly take this project to heart and create a work that reflects real life.

I was deeply touched by Rylan's Tribute to Trey.  Trey was a lively boy with a bright smile and golden curls.  Rylan and Trey were in day care and Pre-K together before they were both in Kindergarten here at Timber Trail Elementary.  Rylan's Calavera was created to honor and celebrate the life of his friend. Choosing to honor Trey shows how he valued and celebrated their friendship through art. Rylan tried to capture Trey's spirit and zest for life.  The colors and symbols he chose were specific to represent his relationship with his good friend.

Calavera (Sugar Skull) Created in Memory of Trey 

Rylan's Writing Explaining His Calavera

Trey and Rylan

Trey and Rylan - Friends for Life and Longer

The Ancient art of the Japanese Edo Period

The Japanese Edo Period

Just after college I interned with an artist who created Woodblock Prints in the traditional Japanese style.  This was a springboard for my interest in the history behind the unique subject matter and style.  The juxtaposition of patterns working together in these prints were something that always fascinating to me.  Fifth grade art students created their own Japanese Edo inspired portrait using patterned paper collage instead of woodblock prints. Students had to create a portrait collage that represented the spirit of the period and culture which is also is expressed in the beautiful Japanese lettering that was included in their work.  Below are some of the portraits created by our talented fifth grade artists.

 

Please visit our display at TTE in Town Square.