BASE Camp Art Club

During the summer I do an Art Club for out BASE Camp students.  This year we did three Canvas and Creativity Classes for different age groups.  We also did a fun Arts-On-Fire type of ceramic figure painting.  We had so much fun and created some really cool art.  Below are a few pictures of our super fun BASE Camp Art Club Day!

5th Grade Art Club Party

This years Fifth Grade Art Club Party was a BLAST!  We had yummy food and made some awesome wearable creations.  This years fifth grade art club was a special group of kiddos, they even earned an extra art club day! They will be missed!!!! 

Below are some pix of the party, creating our wearable art and some really cool finished products! 

Enjoy!  

Dance in Film

This years fifth grade dance theme was "Dances Featured in Film." We have been working on this since the beginning of the school year and the students have worked so hard on this dance!  Mrs. Berndt and I are sooooo proud of these fabulous fifth graders! They amazed us with all that htey put into the dance and the quality is there.  I have to say that this could quite possibly be the BEST dance performed at TTE! I am really going to miss these guys so much! It is bittersweet - we have been working towards this day all year...and not it is over.  It will live on in our hearts forever (as well as the video!!!).  Below is a link to the video of our final dress rehearsal.  Enjoy!!!!  

2016 5th Grade Dance - Dances Featured in Films

2016 Variety Show

Don't miss the 2016 Variety Show!!

This years performers will blow your mind with their talents and skills!  You will be entertained by baton twirlers, dancers, musicians and much more!  Of course, the grand finale is the 5th Grade Dance! This years students chose the super fun theme of Dances in Films.  They have worked hard all year, so come on out and see the fruits of their labor!  You will not be disappointed!

May 4, at 6:00 pm!!

Below is our display in the TTE Town Square that features movie posters from all of the films represented in our 16 minute dance!!!

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.

Talented Artist

I have always maintained that Timber Trail Elementary has some of the most talented artists in Douglas County!  One such example is a kindergartener named Claire. She has always shown such skill in art class, but what I want to share today is a piece that she did at home.

Below is a sweet picture of Claire and her father when she was a little baby, followed by Claire's drawing of that picture.  Notice how she was able to draw a realistic profile of her father's face.  This is a very difficult skill that I usually teach in third or fourth grade. She even noticed areas that needed to be shaded and did a great job capturing those shadows!  Impressive!

 

I am excited to see Claire grow as an artist as she progresses through her school years! 

Best of Show

Last night was the DCSD "Best of Show" Awards Art Show. The reception was held last night at the Lone Tree Arts Center.  It was a very special event which was attended by two of our School Board members, as well as students, teachers and community members.

 

Fifth Grader Claire Blaeser was our Timber Trail "Best of Show" Artist, for her Zentangle Owl.  The story behind how this amazing drawing came to be is also special.  Originally Claire had created a much smaller pencil drawing of this owl as a present for one of our TTE teachers who had just been diagnosed with cancer.  While her father was visiting our school as a Watch Dog Dad, he gave me a photocopy of it.  I was amazed, and that afternoon in art club I gave Claire a larger piece of fine quality art paper and suggested that if she were to recreate it on a larger scale in pen it could go to the art show. I didn't expect to get a finished piece for a few days, but she had it completed and on my desk the next day! Not only did it make the show, but it was chosen as the "Best of Show." 

Claire has been such a promising artist.  When I first came to TTE she was one of the artists I knew would blossom and develop her skills.  Even on vacations she spends time learning and creating art from other cultures.  Below is a picture from a recent trip to Guatemala where she used a kick-wheel to throw some pottery.  

It is always sad when fifth graders move on to middle school, especially when it an artist as inspiring and talented as Claire is! Even though I will miss her creativity at Timber Trial, I am excited to know that I will see her work at future art shows as she moves up through middle and high school! 

Congratulations Claire!!!