Where do Artists get ideas?

Sometimes Seekers Find Things...
As part of my summer, I spent time in Cambridge, MA at Project Zero Classroom 2011.  I had the opportunity to participate as a teaching fellow working with Rhonda Bondie. One of Rhonda's area of expertise lies in Differentiated Learning.  She often uses uses primary source images as a way for students to enter a particular topic of inquiry.  She encourages students and teachers to become seekers. I was inspired by the idea of being a seeker for the work students will be embarking on this year in the art studio.  I hope to help students learn to seek.  One goal is to help students better understand that artists are seekers of meaning. Through our work together this year I hope to give students many opportunities to experiment, stretch, explore new processes, and gain mastery in the area of making and making meaning.

Fair Trade Artisan - Sonia Anahue Uscamayta - jewler from Peru

Mo Samimi, dad of Shapari 8th grade, has been working with the Partners for Just Trade organization in connection with his Ben & Jerry's shop on Center St..  The group planned a trip to the bay area over the last few weeks that coincided with World Fair Trade Day on May 14, 2011. Two Peruvian artisans travelled to the US to talk to people about how Fair Trade has impacted their lives.  On friday, May 13, Carrie Hawthorne, Partners for Just Trade, with Elizabeth O'Connell, Green America, brought one of the two artisans to show her metal smithing technique to the kids.  Mo Samimi created an educational power point illustrating how Fair Trade can help artisans and producers of food better able to make a living. Frida Causo (K -5th) and Tayna Madrid Campbell (6- 8th) Spanish Teaching Educators assisted Sonia with English translation.  MIddle School students came prepared to converse with Sonia in Spanish.

These are photos of Sonia Anahue Uscamayta from the Munay Rumi jewelry cooperative in Lima, Peru with K through 8th students.

TBS Auction April 16. 2011 - Student Collaborative Work

                                                2/3 Temescal Creek Students Denim Quilt
Students repurposed denim jeans to create tis collaborative work.  Light and dark triangles were hand sewn to make squares.  We looked a the Quilters of Gees Bend Alabama who are known for their "My Way" Quilts based on recycled clothes and using a traditional quilt pattern, but not exactly. A math work that students were doing in paper, in the class room, was the inspiration for this work.

4/5 Cerrito Creek DE/REconstruct La Mano work & LOTERIA Poster

4/5 Strawberry Creek DE/REconstruct Picasso "Woman in Red Chair"

& ECOLOGICAL heroes Ofrenda Poster

ECC hands created Bowl - Terracotta & Pie Plate - white clay

March 16, 2011 Art Opening - Benicia, Julianne, Mitch, Anahita

                                               teaching artist Benicia Hill - Middle School 6th - 8th
                                               teaching artist Julianne Hughes K - 6th
                                               Mitch Bostian - Head of School
                                               Anahita Bakhtiary Early Childhood 3 -5

Art Show Button - heart, hand, eye, mind = art

2/3rd grade MATCHBOX stages

                                                

                                                       ...tiny stages in a matchbox.