Elementary Art Mrs. Russell's Pk-3rd Grade Art Blog 

Clever Elementary received a matching funds grant from the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) which paid for a 10 day artist residency with Christine Schilling. During the residency Ms. Schilling guided students as they created mosaics to cover the bench tops, legs, cement pads and stepping stones.  The area features a white board and 7 benches that will seat 3 kids per bench, maybe 2 for the older kids. There are also large stepping stones that may serve as additional seating.  We have finally reached the end of this project!! Many hands have gone into making this project a success and we want to invite everyone to come view the work.  Please come join in our unveiling ceremony Friday, May 18th at 8:45am on the playground.

 These benches will serve multiple purposes besides a an outdoor classroom subject matter depicted in the mosaics may also serve as a classroom resource.  Bench top mosaic subjects include: Mo state bird-bluebird; water cycle; Mo state flower-Hawthorne; an endangered butterfly currently trying to be made the state butterfly-regal fritillary; rivers, catfish, and the Mo state insect-honeybee.  Along the platforms you will find counting patterns and warm/cool color groupings.  These mosaics and benches were created as a collaborative project involving 1^st-8^th grade students.  Stepping stones are mixtures of bluebirds, butterflies and lady bugs.  Students can spend time learning on the benches as well as from them benches!

 I invite everyone to come and see the space.  There are 3 stepping stones which list our sponsors.  I want to thank: Conco Companies, The Clever PTA, SNAP Leasing Inc., Pat and Sam Pemberton, Seven Roots Massage Therapy, Family Pharmacy, Stan and Alice Witlock, the Kaufman Family, and Cottage Veterinary.  Donations were made in honor of the 3^rd-5^th Grade Art Club, Dr. Bernard and Carpi Diem.

 You may veiw photos of the project on Artsonia.com: http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=526769, but I hope you come to view the real thing! This project was funded by a MAC grant, MAC is a government agency. For more information please contact Catherine Russell: russellc@clever.k12.mo.us.

I will not be holding any art club meetings in May. The field trip May 11^th will serve as the final Art Club meeting for this year. That is when I will hand out treats to those who have returned their books.  Please send your books to me ASAP. 

 Field Trip Permission Slip   Don’t miss the field trip get your forms in by Thursday!! Please let me know if there is any reason you can’t won’t get your form in by Thursday!!  We will be traveling to Christine Schilling’s downtown Art Studio and the Jordan Valley Creamery Arts Center in Springfield.  While at each place we will be creating various works of art.

Tomorrow will be 3rd Grade Group A’s April meeting.

Benches are due to be poured Thursday!!! Plan on attending an unveiling ceremony May 18th. Time TBD.

Art Club members 3-5th grade will be taking their annual field trip May 11th.  Forms are heading home this week. Please return the form with $10 by April 26th.  Students will be traveling to Christine Schilling’s Springfield art studio and the Jordan Valley Creamery Arts Center.  Students will need a sack lunch. Sack lunches maybe purchased through the cafeteria please indicate if you will be needing a sack lunch. Students will be outside for lunch, please dress appropriately. Field Trip Permission Slip

Mosaic Bench Project Up-date:

The El/MS Art Department has been working hard on our Mosaic Bench Project funded by a grant from the Missouri Arts Council, a government agency.  The mosaics are near completion and we are getting ready to start excavation and framing on the site for our concrete forms to be poured.  We are looking for volunteers who can help with digging footings, creating the wooden frames and assisting during the concrete pour.  Work will begin Monday, April 23^rd and end with a concrete pour on April 27^th.  If you are able to help in any way please contact Mrs. Russell russellc@clever.k12.mo.us.  Many hands will make the workload light.  By the completion of this project students will have an outdoor classroom ready to take advantage of wonderful outdoors.

2nd Grade Drawing / 4th Grade turned it into a mosaic.

This year is just flying on by! During our April meetings students will be working on mosaics to be featured with our concrete mosaic benches.  Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.  So far we have 7 benches sponsored by the Clever Community!! Thank you!!  There is still time to fund a bench, $50 for half a bench or $100 for a whole bench.  It is so rewarding to work in a community that supports the arts and their students.  We are working on arranging the benches to be used in an outdoor classroom setting.

Meeting Dates:

3rd Group A: Tues, April 24th                

3rd Group B: Tues, April 17th  This one is moved due to PE/Music Spring Program.

4th Grade: Thur, April 12th                        5th Grade: Thur, April 19th

ART CLUB FIELD TRIP!! May 11th during school. I will be sending permission forms home this week. The field trip will cost $10 and you will need a sack lunch.  More details to come.

Huge THANK YOU to all who came and volunteered at Art Night. This event is not possible without LOTS, and LOTS of volunteers.

We are gearing up for our 7th Annual Art Night!! Mark your calendars.  We still need SEVERAL VOLUNTEERS!! Please let me know if you can volunteer. If you are able to volunteer PLEASE let Mrs. Russell know, with the name of volunteer and times you are volunteering for here is the list of options:
4:00-5:30     5:30-6:30    6:30-7:30    7:30-8:30    8:30-9:00

During the event students and parents can travel throughout the school viewing artwork from the entire year and participate in over 15 different activities.  Activities range from tie-dying t-shirts, bleach t-shirts, ceramics, Chihuly flowers, paper mache, encaustic painting and even printmaking!  Some activities are free while others range from 50 cents to a few dollars.  Students can participate in all activities for a combined price of $10, that includes a t-shirt!  There will be two different t-shirt options this year and if you choose to do both it will cost $13 to participate in all activities. 

art night flyer-2012 

El/MS Art Dept Receives MAC Grant!!

The El/MS Art Department is excited to announce that we will be receiving a grant from the Missouri Art Council to pay for a guest artist: Christine Schilling to spend 10 days with our students creating concrete mosaic benches.  These benches will be permanent on the playground/sculpture garden area.

For this project we are looking for any donations of: flat colored glass, tiles, contact paper, concrete and rebar.  Any donations will help this project reach its goal of 7 benches featuring Missouri symbols.  Or if you know of any companies that would be willing to supply with donations or just good deals please let me know.  We are also open to having benches sponsored by companies with monetary donations of $50-$100.  The grant only pays for the artist; we must provide supplies.  This project will begin with Art Night; April 5^th.   Please e-mail Mrs. Russell if you can help in any way: russellc@clever.k12.mo.us.

I seemed to have forgotten I will be at the state Missouri Art Edcuation Association’s conference March 22nd and  need to move the 4th grade meeting to Tuesday, March 20th instead.  Sorry as the Elementary Council Rep I really must be there.

El/MS Art Dept Receives MAC Grant!!

The El/MS Art Department is excited to announce that we will be receiving a grant from the Missouri Art Council to pay for a guest artist: Christine Schilling to spend 10 days with our students creating concrete mosaic benches.  These benches will be permanent on the playground/sculpture garden area.

For this project we are looking for any donations of: flat colored glass, tiles, contact paper, concrete and rebar.  Any donations will help this project reach its goal of 7 benches featuring Missouri symbols.  Or if you know of any companies that would be willing to supply with donations or just good deals please let me know.  We are also open to having benches sponsored by companies with monetary donations of $50-$100.  The grant only pays for the artist; we must provide supplies.  This project will begin with Art Night; April 5^th.   Please e-mail Mrs. Russell if you can help in any way: russellc@clever.k12.mo.us. We have already received one sponsor: Clever Family Pharmacy!! Thank you for supporting our students in making life long learning opportunities.

Art Night; Thursday April 5th 5:30-8:30pm

This year Art Night is Thursday, April 5th 5:30 pm-8:30 pm. If you are able to volunteer PLEASE let Mrs. Russell know, with the name of volunteer and times you are volunteering for here is the list of options:
4:00-5:30     5:30-6:30    6:30-7:30    7:30-8:30    8:30-9:00
Contact me with a note or by e-mail: russellc@clever.k12.mo.us

During the event students and parents can travel throughout the school viewing artwork from the entire year and participate in over 12 different activities.  Activities range from tie-dying t-shirts, bleach t-shirts, ceramics, paper mache, painting and even printmaking!  Some activities are free while others range from 50 cents to a few dollars.  Students can participate in all activities for a combined price of $10, that includes a t-shirt!  There will be two different t-shirt options this year and if you choose to do both it will cost $13 to participate in all activities. 

Contact me with a note or by e-mail: russellc@clever.k12.mo.us

Mrs. Russell is unfortunately home sick today so Art Club-Group A is canceled for tonight.  It is rescheduled for Tuesday, March 6th.

Wow, where has the year gone?!! March is upon us and and soon April will follow.  As you know the first week in April holds our annual Art Night celebrations.  This year Art Night is Thursday, April 5th 5:30 pm-8:30 pm.  If you are able to volunteer PLEASE let me know, with the name of volunteer and times you are volunteering for here is the list of options:

4:00-5:30     5:30-6:30    6:30-7:30    7:30-8:30    8:30-9:00

Contact me with a note or by e-mail: russellc@clever.k12.mo.us

March Meetings:

 3rd Grade Group A                           3rd Grade Group B                                                   Mar     1st        Reid C                                      Mar  29th      Kendra S 

4th Grade                                           5th Grade                                                                       Mar  22nd       AnnaKate R            Mar 15th  ANY ONE AVAILABLE!!

During our March meetings students will be creating paper mache Egyptian sculptures to be used during Art Night.  3rd Grade will make mummies, 4th grade will create canopic jars and 5th grade will make their own miniature Sphinx.  Paper mache can be messy so dress accordingly!

Student Work on Display Across the State!

Make plans to visit the Jordan Valley Creamery Arts Center during First Friday celebrations in Springfield, March 2nd 6pm-8pm. Four Clever Elementary students will have work displayed along with students from around the southwest Missouri area. Work will be displayed throughout the month of March and is available for viewing during Creamery hours of operation. The Creamery is located at 411 N. Sherman Parkway, in Jordan Valley Park, at the intersection of Sherman and Trafficway, just west of Hammons Field. Make plans to join us on opening night Friday, March 2nd from 6pm-8pm. You can view two of the works on Artsonia.com.

 http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=489557

 Clever Elementary also has work on display in Jefferson City as part of Youth Art Month Celebrations.  Students across the state of Missouri spend the month of March celebrating the arts. During this time student work is displayed at the state capital in Jefferson City. Each school is invited to send four pieces to the show. Congratulations to all students whose work is on display.  Work can also be viewed Artsonia.com.

 http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=489552

This year Art Night will be held Thursday, April 5th 5:30-8:30.  During the event students and parents can travel throughout the school viewing artwork from the entire year and participate in over 12 different activities.  Activities range from tie-dying t-shirts, bleach t-shirts, ceramics, paper mache, painting and even printmaking!  Some activities are free while others range from 50 cents to a few dollars.  Students can participate in all activities for a combined price of $10, that includes a t-shirt!  There will be two different t-shirt options this year and if you choose to do both it will cost $13 do participate in all activities.

3rd Grade GA                      3rd Grade GB                                                                           Feb.    2nd     Clayton U                Feb. 23rd      Brandi R  

4th Grade                                  5th Grade                                                                          Feb. 9th           Casey C                           Feb. 16th       Who’s up for it?!!

For February we are gonna go into the realm of Red Grooms and sculpture. Students will be creating whimsical sculptures of people using plaster gauze! I must warn that plaster gauze can be very messy and students’s pants and shoes may take a coating though we will do everything we can to ensure they leave relatively clean. I can not guarantee this will come off easily or leave no stains so be prepared.

It’s time to start another round of Art Club meetings!! Meetings and Volunteers are:

3rd Grade GA                                                    3rd Grade GB               Jan.     5th      Hayden L                                 Jan. 26th    Bryce G 

 4th Grade                                                        5th Grade                                                     Jan. 12th   Brianna G                        Jan. 19th      ???                   

As we begin January I have noticed a few spots open on the volunteer list. if you volunteered and I missed getting you on the list please let me know. If you would like to fill any of the open spots we would love to have you!  Open spots for 3rd Grade GA are: NONE!! 3rd Grade GB: Apr 17th and May 8th. 4th Grade: May 10th. 5th Grade: Jan 19th, Feb 16th, May 15th, Apr 19th, and May 17th.  And of course if you ever just want to join us feel free to swing by!!

As far as January’s meetings students will be learning about the Aztec Sun Stone and creating their own version of the Sun Stone!  I am really looking forward to being back and hope everyone had a great holiday break.  I can’t thank Mrs. Rowell or Mr. Phillips enough for their hard work and volunteering for the Art Club.  Thank you again!

Students will be recieving thier second Art Club book during Jan meetings.  Please make sure your student has returned the first book and rewards will be given out!  You are running out of time to read one of the books and score at least an 80% to attend the Art Club field trip in May.  Getting READING!!