Self-Portrait Maps inspired by Aaron Meshon

Jennifer

Erin

5th grade just completed these amazing Self Portrait Maps - I first saw this lesson HERE on the BLOG Quest Artists and you can see MORE HERE!  Thanks Ruth Lee at Quest Artists, I was introduced to the artist Aaron Meshon! As soon as I saw the lesson & Aaron Meshon's illustrations I just knew it would be a hit for my 5th grade students - and it was!  So, to begin we looked at Aaron Meshon's artwork. Before the students actually started to draw - I had them fill out a form, that I developed, of "Favorite Things", that gave them a starting place.  I also asked the students to develop a name for their "state" that incorporates their name, they really loved this part and came up with some very creative names.   Next, students worked out their designs in their sketchbooks. When the designs were complete students went on to their final copy (11X17 white drawing paper).  Drawings were completed in pencil first and then students traced over with a fine point Sharpie.  Color was added with colored pencil and Crayola Color Sticks.  Here are some samples but if you would like to see ALL of them check out my ARTSONIA GALLERY HERE!   You might also want to pay special attention to the Artist Statements that the students wrote to go with them.  It is so interesting to read what the students think about their creations.  Enjoy!

Vaed

James

Andrea

"Nature through a Child's Eyes" at the Environmental Center

For the 19th year the Somerset Environmental Center will sponsor the exhibit, "Nature through a Child's Eyes". This exhibit is open to all K-6th grade schools in Somerset County and it is the 10th year Mount Prospect School will participate.  Over 40 pieces of artwork from Mount Prospect, all inspired by nature, will be on exhibit. Any student who has artwork included in this exhibit will receive a letter of congratulations at school.  The children are asked to write, "What nature means to them..." the children's responses are included in the exhibit program. On Sunday - January 9, 2011 there will be an Artist's Reception. It is always so exciting to see the students with their family and friends, they are all so proud!!!

Congratulations to all the young artists!

This exhibit will be on display at the Somerset Environmental Center, Basking Ridge, NJ from January 2, 2011 until February 13, 2011 - if you get a chance stop by and see it!  Please check back here in January to see photos of the exhibit!

Below you will see images of the artwork included in this exhibit.  Please note:  There may be some work missing as it was not all photographed before the work was dropped off at the Environmental Center.

Weaving on Clay Looms - 4th grade

This is a lesson I have been wanting to try for a few years - last year I got all the supplies to get the kiln up and running - so, here we go!  In 3rd grade students create a weaving, you can see samples CLICK HERE! This year the 4th grade students created a clay loom ~ here are some samples of them starting the weaving.  Students were so excited to create this project that combines a skill they were familiar with and something new.  Interestingly enough, weaving must be the thing to do right now because Phyl over at There's a Dragon in my Art Room just posted 3 - Wonderful, Wacky Weaving Projects!   Here is a link to one of my favorite videos to show students when we start weaving - CLICK HERE!

The Barnes Foundation - have you been?

Via Visit Philly

You may or may not have heard of the Barnes Foundation, located in Marion, PA (just minutes outside of Philadelphia).  The Barnes Foundation has quite an amazing collection of Impressionists, Post-Impressionists and Modern paintings.  In the photo above you can see a mural that Henri Matisse created just for this location, in fact Matisse actually visited the Barnes Foundation.  There are also quite a few Picasso paintings and Van Gogh paintings (a personal favorite). The description from the website states...

"The Barnes Foundation houses one of the finest collections of nineteenth and twentieth-century French painting in the world. An extraordinary number of masterpieces by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse provide a depth of work by these artists unavailable elsewhere. Established as an educational institution the Barnes carries out its mission teaching classes in its galleries and Arboretum. The Barnes welcomes visitors and students throughout the year."

I wanted to go, because soon (2011/2012) the entire collection will be moved from it's current location in a beautiful estate home to a new home in Center City Philadelphia, the new Parkway Building.  I wanted to see it in it's original setting.  It is unusual because the paintings are hung salon style.  The website states, "He chose and arranged the works in 'wall ensembles' in the Gallery to illustrate for the Foundation's students the visual elements and aesthetic traditions he felt were evident in all art forms across periods and cultures."  In addition, there is quite a bit of antique furniture and Pennsylvania-German folk art in the galleries.  

So, when you listen to the audio tour not only do they describe the paintings but they also describe why the paintings (and even some of the furniture) were hung/displayed together.  In one gallery there is a large Matisse painting in the middle of the wall with a Rousseau still life on each side, then further out (on each side) are two small Miro paintings then sitting on the floor below the Miros are 2 antique candle stands - the feet of each candle stand are a bit different but they matche the lines in each of the Miro paintings.  That is the kind of thought that went into placing the artwork. 

To say the least the collection is AMAZING and it was a very inspiring day!  I would be remiss if I did not mention that there is quite a bit of controversy about moving this collection from it's original home.  If you are interested in learning more about this aspect of The Barnes Foundation you could rent the movie, "The Art of the Steal".

If you have now decided that you to must go visit the Barnes Foundation before it moves, please make sure to MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!  In addition, you can purchase a parking pass - this is a very good idea!  The Foundation is located in a neighborhood without much additional parking...so, you decide if it's worth it (I think it is).  I am not sure when this location will be closing - it is difficult to find this exact information. So, if you decide you want to go - make you plans soon!  The new location is slated to open in late 2011.  It's worth the trip!  Enjoy

Mount Prospect Students Exhibit at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center

 

One of my goals, each year, is to display as much artwork as possible outside of our school. This month and throughout the winter, 4 pieces of artwork will be on display in the lobby of the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ. This is a juried exhibit sponsored by the Art Educators of New Jersey, 30 pieces will be exhibited in all. All the artwork is framed under glass and lit in true gallery style.  The Artist's Reception will be Saturday, December 18, 2010 from 11:00 - 12:00 pm.

There are lots of things to do at NJPAC on Saturday, so make plans...

• Kwanzaa Children's Festival - A day of free Kwanzaa activities, including hands-on workshops designed for adults and children that include African dance, storytelling, Capoeira, and drumming.
• Kwanzaa Marketplace - NJPAC's annual Kwanzaa Marketplace, free and open to the public, transforms the Prudential Hall Lobby into a holiday shopping stop featuring top vendors from throughout the area.
• Performance of "Step Afrika"  - at 2:00pm & 5:00pm
  
• Performances of "The Rhythm Revue Dance Party" at 2:00pm & 8:00pm
• to take a walk to the Newark Museum
  

Congratulations to Malaika & Anvitha (5th grade), Sean (3rd grade), and Mark (2nd grade)! If you are going to NJPAC this fall/winter please make sure to stop by and enjoy the exhibit! All the artwork from this exhibit can been viewed in the AENJ Artsonia Gallery.

Let's Celebrate - My 100th Post & Top Blog Award!

Congratulations on being one of our Top Art Teachers, Northeast Region.

Thanks to Teacher Salary Website  for this recognition!

"Your blog was amazing in our eyes, providing your students and their parents with all of the necessary information required to succeed. We know that you will continue to keep up the amazing work you do in educating children. Let your class know that you were recognized as a Top Teacher in your region!" 

To find other Top Teacher Blogs from around the country CLICK HERE!

VOTE for Brinda3!!!

 Great News!  Brinda3, from Mount Prospect School, has been selected as a finalist for this week's "ARTSONIA's Artist of the Week" award for the PreK-3rd age group.  

The finalist who receives the most online votes between now and Saturday October 30 will be selected as our "Artist of the Week."  

To view the finalists and cast your vote, simply click on the link below.  You can VOTE once a day from each computer for each age group!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

http://www.artsonia.com/aotw/vote/0/10409323

The "Artist of the Week" will be featured on the Artsonia homepage and will receive a commemorative plaque from Artsonia.  In addition, Blick Art Materials has generously donated $100 gift certificates to the winning teachers and $50 to the winning artists.

If you have a few moments please go and see the self portrait Brinda created and VOTE!

Thank You!  Thank You!  Thank You!

Farmstead Arts - GRAND OPENING & an Exhibit of Student Artwork

Emily1845

Thomas2041

Robert1101

CONGRATULATIONS to 

Emily (5th grade), Robby (3rd grade)

 & Thomas (2nd grade)

All three Mount Prospect students had artwork selected to be exhibited at the Grand Opening of Farmstead Arts at the Kennedy Martin Stelle Farmstead.  The Grand Opening will be held next weekend, October 9th & 10th, 2010.  The hours are 10:00 am - 4:00 on Saturday and 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday.  Farmstead Arts is a grassroots community of artists and visionaries who are dedicated to creating a home for fine, performing and practical arts in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.  You can find out more about this event here:  http://kmsfarmstead.wordpress.com/.

Farmstead Arts is located at:  450 King George Road, Basking Ridge, New Jersey. 

This all came about a few weeks ago, when Hilary Klimek from Farmstead Arts contacted all of the elementary art educators in Bernards Township to ask if we had artwork to be exhibited at this event.  Since it is so early in the school year not much new artwork has been completed.  We decided to take advantage of technology and send high quality prints from Artsonia. Each elementary school ~ Mount Prospect, Liberty Corner, Cedar Hill & Oak Street  will have 3 artworks on exhibit.  Thanks to Farmstead Arts for offering us this opportunity to exhibit our student's artwork out in the community.  We are looking forward to working together in the future!  Wishing Farmstead All the BEST!!!  I hope the community will take  a moment to get to the opening reception next weekend and find out what you are all about!

Back to School Night ~ Welcome to ART

Last night was Back to School Night and it was wonderful to meet so many parents!  Thanks for stopping by.  For those of you who could not make it - here is my handout from Back to School Night!  I am looking forward to a(nother) CREATIVE year with you child(ren)!!!

Back to School Flyer #2

The Versatile Blogger Award!!!

This award has been going around and I have to admit I am posting this later than what I would have liked.  The TO DO LIST before school starts was just tooooo long!  Thanks to Phyl @ There's a Dragon in my Art Room and Congrats to all the other dedicated ART ED Bloggers!  Let's get busy!  Hope your year is off to an amazing start!

Rule #1: Thank the person who gave you your award.

I want to thank Phyl @ There's a Dragon in my Art Room

she really got this WHOLE thing started.  A shout-out also goes to tishalou who added me to her list of 15!  So a BIG thank you to both of you!

Rule #2: Share 7 things about yourself

1.  My husband Patrick is Super Amazing!  He supports me & all of my art teacher craziness!

2.  Jigsaw & Winnie are my 2 Portuguese Water Dogs - the best dogs ever!

3.  I have been on the Executive Board of the Art Educators of New Jersey for over 10 years and I am currently serving as the Past-President.

4.  This will be my 19th year teaching ART and I love it!

5.  I taught "Art on a Cart" for 6 years and have been in my beautiful ART ROOM for the past 3 - YAHOO!

6. Artsonia will PROMOTE your art program - so give it a try!  Check out my gallery HERE!

7.  The NAEA (National Art Education Association) Convention (Seattle - March 2011) is an amazing experience, I have attended for many year and presented too.  If you have not had the chance to attend - MAKE PLANS TO GO!  You will not regret it!

Rule #3: Pass the award on to 15 bloggers whom you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.  

1. Teaching Palette
2. Artful Artsy Amy
3. Deep Space Sparkle
4. It's Not all Flowers and Sausage
5. Mini Matisse
6. Mrs. Picasso's Art Room
7. Painted Paper
8. Snippety Gibbet
9. The Art of Education
10. The Fugleblog
11. Wonder Brooks Extraordinaire
12. Organized Chaos!  Logistics in the Art Room
13. Mrs. Leban's ART BLOG
14. Mrs. Art Teacher
15. Art with Mr. E
16. Art Project Girl

NJPAC - This is AMERICA

NJPAC - This is AMERICA !!!  A perfect way to end National Art in Education Week!  One of my goals, each year, is to display as much artwork as possible outside of our school. This month and throughout the Fall, 1 piece of artwork will be on display in the lobby of the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ. This is a juried exhibit sponsored by the Art Educators of New Jersey, 30 pieces will be exhibited in all.  The theme for this Fall's exhibit was, "This is America" so all of the artwork goes along with that theme.   All the artwork is framed under glass and lit in true gallery style. It is quite an honor to have work exhibited in this exhibit, art educators from around the state of New Jersey submit work! The Artist's Reception will be Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 11:00 - 12:00 pm. Congratulations to Roxana (2nd grade), this is her Pledge Portrait - students learned how to draw a person with their hand across their body! You can see more of Roxana's artwork HERE in Roxana's Artsonia Gallery. If you are going to NJPAC soon please make sure to stop by and enjoy the exhibit! All the artwork from this exhibit can been viewed in the AENJ Artsonia Gallery.

NAEA Advocacy Resources

The VISUAL ARTS:

So much MORE than what you SEE!

National Art Education Week is September 12 - 18, 2010.  Check out the new ADVOCACY Resources on the NAEA (National Art Education Association) website for resources to help you CELEBRATE Art Education!

Americans for the Arts News

Americans for the Arts News

On Monday, July 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring the week following the second Sunday in September (September 12-18, this year) as Arts in Education Week. This is the first congressional resolution to recognize all the disciplines: music, theater, visual arts, and dance.

Sponsored by Congresswoman, Rep. Jackie Speiers (D-California), the resolution states many important advocacy messages that the arts education field has been touting for years including:

“Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theater, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students…

Whereas arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate, and express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding, which supports academic success across the curriculum as well as personal growth outside the classroom;

Whereas the nonprofit arts sector is an economic engine and plays a significant role in the economic health of communities large and small with direct expenditures of wages and benefits as well as goods and services;

Whereas attracting and retaining the best teachers is vital and can be achieved by ensuring that schools embrace the arts, becoming havens for creativity and innovation…”

Charter Day & NJPAC in Review

Art Exhibit at Charter Day - Saturday, May 15, 2010 - Let's Go!

 

Saturday May 15, 2010 is the 16th Annual Charter Day - a celebration of the day that Basking Ridge received its charter! This year we are celebrating 250 years!!!  The day runs from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm - a variety of community groups and businesses have booths and there are activities throughout the day. Most of the activities take place right in the center of Basking Ridge.

 

One tradition is an Art Exhibit, from the Art classes in the Bernards Township School District, at the church. Mount Prospect School will have over 70 pieces of artwork on display. Enjoy!!! Any child who has artwork on display has already received a certificate from Mrs. Bivona or Mr. Stewart!

For more detailed information about Charter Day, check out the Historical Society of Somerset Hills website! Hope to see you there!

pARTicipate in the ARTS

This past Friday night I attended the first ever - pARTicipate in the ARTS at the Somerset Art Association in Bedminster, NJ.  There were artists sharing their talents and some great music to enjoy!  The highlight of the night for me was my 15 minute portrait, painted by David Ohlerking.  Yes!  It's true, he has masonite boards ready to go and he paints your portrait, in oil paint, while you stand there in front of him (in 15 minutes).  I had never seen such a thing ~ AMAZING!  I was fortunate to arrive early so I hardly had to wait ~ but you can imagine by the end of the night there was a line.  Now, this in NOT something new for Mr. Ohlerking, apparently you can find him in a variety of places round NJ...Chester being one place and I just read that he will be in New Hope, PA next weekend!  Check out his website HERE and if you are in the area, stop by to see him work or maybe have our portrait painted! Enjoy!

Spring Art Exhibit at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center

 

One of my goals, each year, is to display as much artwork as possible outside of our school. This month and throughout the Spring, 4 pieces of artwork will be on display in the lobby of the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ. This is a juried exhibit sponsored by the Art Educators of New Jersey, 30 pieces will be exhibited in all. All the artwork is framed under glass and lit in true gallery style. It is quite an honor to have work exhibited in this exhibit, art educators from around the state of New Jersey submit work! The Artist's Reception will be Sunday, May 16, 2010 from 11:00 - 12:00 pm. Congratulations to Jasmine (K) Robyn (1st grade),  Liam & Aaron (4th grade)! If you are going to NJPAC soon please make sure to stop by and enjoy the exhibit! All the artwork from this exhibit can been viewed in the AENJ Artsonia Gallery.

Crayola: DreamMakers Visual Voices ~ Speak Up for Creativity

 Mrs. Bivona with Eric's artwork, the Everyday Jungle at the NAEA Convention, Baltimore, MD 4/2010

A quote from the Crayola Website

"As educators, you teach children the importance of thinking and speaking up for what they believe in. At Crayola, we believe that creative experiences are worth speaking up for and support your efforts. We hope you and your students enjoy seeing their work exhibited here, for all to see and share."

Mount Prospect is speaking up!!!  In the Fall of 2009 students from Mount Prospect School submitted artwork to the CRAYOLA:  DreamMakers Exhibit.  Work selected for this exhibit was on display at the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Convention, in Baltimore, MD on Wednesday, April 14, 2010.  Fortunately I attended this convention and was able to see Eric's artwork (5th grade), "The Everyday Jungle" framed and ready to go to the State Department of Education to be on permanent display.  Along with the artwork each student had to write a Dream Statement.  Here is what Eric wrote, "Creativity is what a person wants from the heart and the pencil! My creativity just pours out of me onto the paper. I think of an image in my head and try to make it as close as I can when I create the image on the paper."  Congratulations to Eric once again!!!

Art on the Move gets a MAKEOVER

 Yes, you really are at "Art on the Move" - we got

a makeover today!

Hope you enjoy Art on the Move's NEW LOOK! Since the beginning I have been using a standard BLOGGER template for this blog. Although it certainly did the job, I don't think it ever really captured the spirit of this blog! I have been searching around for a new template but could not find one I loved! Earlier today, I was reading another art teacher blog, One Crayola Short and I was attracted to her template! I searched around her blog and found the link to her template - Deluxe Templates.  So a BIG thank you to Deluxe Templates for the FRESH, NEW LOOK!  The template is called  Little United Nations and it is designed by Ezwpthemes.com.  Thanks for stopping by ~ ENJOY!

The importance of ART EDUCATION!

March is Youth Art Month - Celebrate!

March is Youth Art Month 2010

Planet eARTh

Endorsed by the National Art Education Association, Youth Art Month (YAM) is a national annual observance - each March, to emphasize the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs. To recognize Youth Art Month, the Somerset Art Association (SAA) partners with the Art Educators of New Jersey to host a two-part exhibit of Somerset County student work on both floors of the Johnson Gallery.

The Somerset County Youth Art Month Exhibit is held at the Somerset Art Associaton in Bedminister, NJ. Part I of this exhibit will run from March 1 - 14, 2010 and it highlights the talents of children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Part II, March 18 - March 28, 2010 highlights work created in 6th through 12th grade. Mount Prospect will have 12 pieces on display for Part I of this exhibit, 2 pieces from each grade K - 5.

Above you see a slideshow of the work to be exhibited at the  Somerset Art Association.

The exhibit has been at SAA for the past years and a BIG thank you goes out to Robyn Tromeur, Director of SAA and all the volunteers from SAA who helped hang this exhibit.

All the work can be viewed at our Artsonia On-line Gallery @ www.artsonia.com/somerset1

Crayola DreamMakers Online Exhibition - We Have a WINNER!

The video above includes all the artwork submitted from
Mount Prospect School

This year 19 students (K - 5th grade), from Mount Prospect School, participate in the Crayola DreamMakers Online Exhibition ~ Visual Voices Speak Up for Creativity.  In addition to the artwork, each student had to write a dream statement.  You can see ALL the entries, from the United States and Canada, here in the Crayola Gallery. 

The artwork submitted to this online exhibition was juried and 39 pieces were selected to be exhibited at the U.S Department of Education in Washington, D.C and it's offices around the country.

CONGRATULATIONS

to

Eric, 5th grade

his artwork, The Everyday Jungle was selected to be included in this exhibit!

Mount Prospect Students Exhibit at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Mid-Winter Exhibit at NJPAC

One of my goals, each year, is to display as much artwork as possible outside of our school. This month and throughout the mid-winter and early Spring, 4 pieces of artwork will be on display in the lobby of the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ. This is a juried exhibit sponsored by the Art Educators of New Jersey, 30 pieces will be exhibited in all. All the artwork is framed under glass and lit in true gallery style. The Artist's Reception will be Sunday, February 28, 2010 from 11:00 - 12:00 pm. Congratulations to Thomas (1st grade), Juliette-Craig (3rd grade), Jennifer & Avani (4th grade)! If you are going to NJPAC soon please make sure to stop by and enjoy the exhibit! All the artwork from this exhibit can been viewed in the AENJ Artsonia Gallery.

Photos from "Nature Through a Child's Eyes" Art Exhibit at the Somerset Environmental Center