Arts in the Schools

Our Project Goals: 1. Students will learn about our local prairie environment and about the clay that we have in our area. Students will increase their understanding of how clay can be used to make functional objects and works of art. 2. Students will be able to successfully make a 3” x 3” clay tile incorporating the art elements of texture and color, along with additive and subtractive clay techniques and local clay slips, to express their own interpretation of our local prairie environment. 3. Students will be able choose and draw a spirit animal and make at least one spirit animal sculpture. 4. Students will have an enjoyable and worthwhile arts experience that includes learning, creating, collaborating, and sharing of their art. 5. Teachers, parents and our community will develop an increased awareness of the power that art and arts programs have to positively influence our students and communities. Our youngest students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings about their experience with John, and their responses will be recorded and tallied. Older students will be asked to fill out a short survey about their experience, and the artist, teachers, and administrators will fill out more detailed surveys that will ask for specific thoughts about what went well and what areas we need to work on for future artist in residency experiences. Attendees at the Art Show will be encouraged to fill out a very short survey about their responses to the student artwork at the show. Photographs taken during the residency weeks, along with photos of student tiles and spirit animal sculptures, will further document the success of our project.