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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Free First Sunday at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston

It's that time again! It's the first Sunday in October this Sunday!

Take the whole family for an artful weekend







Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Happy New School Year!

Here we are at the start of a wonderful new year!

You'll be able to find me each morning from 7:15 until 7:45 at the gate on 75th Street. I'll be there making sure that your students can enter the school grounds safely.

There are so many wonderful things ahead. You're students will be learning the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. We'll be drawing and painting and more!

The fifth grade art students are particularly fortunate this year. They will receive drawing supplies and a box to carry them, a set of watercolors, a sketchbook and a canvas bag to carry their art materials. Each of the groups of fifth grade artists will be creating a design to put on their group's bags. This should help them keep track of them. Help your student artist keep track of their bag. They will need to bring it with them to art! We'll be customizing the bags more as the year progresses.

You may hear your student reciting the "Art Rules". If not, ask them and count to three. I think you'll be surprised!

Our school year is opening with several projects that connect our students with other students around the country.  For the past several years we have taken part in the  Pinwheels for Peace project on September 21, International Peace Day. This is an opportunity for us to make art that encourages us to think about how each of us can make our world a better place.

Did you know that artists design money? We're looking at currency from different countries and then designing our own as a part of the Fundred Project. This project is the brainchild of Houston artist Mel Chin. The first, second, third and fourth graders will be taking part in this project.

Did you know that the Monarch butterfly migration occurs at the same time as Dias de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead? The Aztecs believed that the adult Monarch butterflies were the souls of dead warriors dressed in their battle colors. You can learn more about the Monarch butterflies and their migration at Journey North's Monarch Migration. All grades will be taking part in Journey North's Symbolic Monarch Migration. We'll be sending one student made butterfly from each class on the Symbolic Migration down to the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan.

The Monarch butterfly brings me to one of my favorite annual projects, Lawndale Art Center's Day of the Dead Exhibition. We have taken part for the past several years.  We will be creating a display of student artwork. Please join us on Saturday November 6 from 12 to 4 for the Family Fiesta.

I'll be offering a free papel picado workshop at Lawndale Art Center, 4912 Main Street, on October 28 at 6 PM. Please feel free to join us.

Well, that's all for now, but remember, the best is yet to come!