Artists Explore Materials and Techniques

Upper School students in Art Studio opened the semester working with pencil, charcoal, spray paints, liquid acrylics and more.

Teacher Kay Silva created the course based on the progressive TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) art education philosophy that allows the student to take the lead in choosing what to create. Recognizing the uniqueness of her students as humans and artists, Silva does all she can to make the art classroom a safe space for students to practice freedom of expression.

On the first day of class, Silva wanted students to jump right into using materials with no preconception of what to make to loosen them up and start to trust their instincts as artists. “Students need to know the materials available to them, as well as how the materials behave and feel in their hands,” she explained.

First, Silva told students to use pencil and charcoal to make any marks just to get rid of the blank canvas. Next, they added (non-toxic indoor acrylic) spray paint and liquid acrylic paint to embellish their initial markings. The next day, they worked on these same pieces with pastel and markers; Silva encouraged them to go with the flow and not judge what they were doing while creating. The following day, students used more 2D materials, and the next day, they sculpted with ceramic clay. 

“In their first week of class, students learned about at least 20 different materials they can choose from and artists to be inspired by and dive deeper into once they start their own projects,” Silva shared.

As a fully choice-based course, Art Studio allows students to explore multiple materials and techniques in a short period of time to help them make decisions about what they like, dislike and want to work with again as they design their first projects. Throughout the semester, Silva introduces artists and art movements to students, starting with mixed media, Expressionist art forms and the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jackson Pollock as part of this mini-lesson.

Silva said, “I want students to begin the semester open-minded, confident and full of ideas. Hands-on materials exploration is fun and quickly equips them with enough knowledge to get them up and running with creating their first works of art.”

Parker looks forward to seeing the work that emerges from the Art Studio class this year.

Click here for photos of these artists in action.