Sneaking art into the classroom

Suzie Harrison

Perhaps the masters of art knew even before they picked up their

first crayon that they were destined to create, or maybe they had the

benefit of living in a community like Laguna Beach.

At El Morro Elementary School, the students in Jan Kaplan’s

fifth-grade class were learning about Alexander Calder and his

mobiles through a program called Art Masters.

“They come in once a month. Last month, they did Rembrandt and

they learned about shading,” Kaplan said. “They take a famous artist

and a lecture is given to each grade -- one that is appropriate to

that grade level -- on a master artist.”

Kaplan said that the students are engaged with the slide show and

discussion on technique, materials, different time periods,

contemporaries and background and showing the artists work.

Then the fun part comes and the students get to create art that

exemplifies the artist’s medium.

“The kids really love this program, it’s somewhat structured yet

they are still allowed to put their own creativity into it,” Kaplan

said. “So each will come out a little differently.”

Sally Garrett was the hands-on art teacher last week, educating

the students step by step on how to make a mobile.

First, they build their base and next, they had to contemplate the

shapes they wanted to use for the heart of the project.

“On the worksheet, did you understand the concept of similar

shapes?,” Garrett asked.

The young students were instructed on abstract concepts and the

importance of balance in creating art with wire and construction

paper.

“There’s no wrong, just use your imagination,” Garrett said.

The students cut out their shapes and step-by-step their work

became a piece of art ready to take home.

“I liked bending and making it balance,” Mackenzie Hester, 11,

said. “I learned that balance is important and the class is really

interesting and cool.”

“We made mobiles,” said Marie Schott, 10. “We cut out shapes and

put the shapes on wire, and then we found our balance point and then

made them move.”

Though he was smiling Michael Hyden, 11, said he needed help with

the balancing part, he said his just hangs.

Fortunately for him, the art teacher was available to help him

out.