This child stole Mrs. Guinn's heart when she told her that she was glad "they could make her arms that work."

Many students had comments on Mrs. Guinn’s artwork as well as questions about how her arms work.

Becky Guinn discusses her paintings with Bayside students

Even though several classes came together, the students were engaged and attentive.

Bayside 1st graders on "Fine Arts Day"

Bayside Kindergarteners on "Fine Arts Day"

Mrs. Guinn demonstrated how she paints using prosthetic arms for each group.  When finished, she left three paintings for the teachers’ and school’s use.

Becky Guinn paints as Bayside students watch her progress.

We want  to thank Phyllis Horne for inviting us to be a part of this exciting school wide event.  We are so glad that we were included!

Second graders and teacher Lynn Baggett watch Becky Guinn as she demonstrates her painting techniques.

After spraying liquid watercolor on YUPO paper, Mrs. Guinn allowed the students to tell her what they wanted in her painting.  A rose was chosen for the flower, then a sun was needed, followed by a butterfly and a dragon fly. Mrs. Becky Cairns, “Hooked on Art’s” science  specialist, had to be consulted  as to the correct number of legs and antennae for accuracy!  Mrs. Guinn promised to return to paint with the students another day. The painting was  left for the students to enjoy in their classroom.

Second graders are listening and watching closely.

Before leaving the second graders went outside and were able to identify several images on the AAEA art advocacy van. Mrs. Cairns and Mrs. Guinn explained and demonstrated the technological modifications on the van.

It even smells like grass!

A group photo before the "Hooked on Art" van drove away.

What a great  group of second graders!  Thank you, Wadley High School (K-12) for inviting the “Hooked on Art ” Program to your classroom.

Larry Gibson's 3rd period class

We ended our Youth Art Month adventures with  Larry Gibson, art educator (and President elect of AL Art Education Association) at Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills, AL. What a beautiful facility; what an incredible group of middle school artists; what fun we had sharing  facts about American iconic artist, Georgia O’keeffe! Using cattle markers (Yep, you read correctly), students painted large “zoomed in” images from natural objects. All 4 classes worked quickly and produced some amazing imagery.  Mr. Gibson had them complete the assignment after we left.  Check out http://www.aaeaonline.org for images of these wonderful young artists working on their creations.

Becky Guinn & Becky Cairns showing Georgia O'Keeffe's work to Pizitiz Middle School students on the coldest day of spring!

Note: Cattle markers are huge oil sticks that work as oil pastels  and blend with the heat from one’s hand(finger tips). There is a film on the stick itself that should be scraped or cut away to reach the creamy pigment.  Each stick is cradled in a cardboard sleeve that is nice to hold without getting the oil paint all over one’s hands (Until you begin blending!).

Since the weather would not cooperate, students worked inside the school foyer.

Completed student work of a gladiolia blossom.

Big blue blend . . .

Wonderful form in this middle school student's art work.

This 6th grader knows what she's doing!

Just as Georgia O'Keeffe chose other subjects than flowers, this student was intrigued with a sea shell.

Art teacher, Beth Young looks on at Austinville Elementary

A multicultural Hooked on Art Program based on Hopi Indian dancers was presented for 7 of the Elementary Schools. Sommerville Road Elementary made Javanese Shadow Puppets and Decatur High art  students experimented with watercolor on YUPO paper. During the 3 days in Decatur, Becky Guinn demonstrated her painting techniques to 6 classes in 3 schools. Paintings were left in two elementary schools for the school’s use. Becky Cairns made the 3 days in Decatur work through preparation, navigation and perspiration!

Great work ethic at Banks Caddell Elementary

Students ask and answer questions at Leon Sheffield

Decatur Elementary schools “rock!” Their art educators genuinely love their  students and have a passion for the arts. Each school  we visited was  a warm an inviting place to learn. The core teachers, aides and administrators were welcoming, professional and in control of the learning environment. The Hooked on Art staff was greatly impressed. We also had opportunity to visit with some parents and community leaders at the “YEA (Youth-Education-Arts) Decatur!” evening sponsored by Rotary Club of Decatur Daybreak. Support for the arts and Decatur youth by the community was evident.

Mrs. Guinn demonstrates watercolor on YUPO for Mrs. Waldorf's art students at Decatur High.

West Decatur students in Tammie Clark's art room with Mrs. Guinn and Mrs. Cairns

Frances Nungester students add feathers to their Hopi dancer puppets

Group photo of Linda Williams' students at Leon Sheffield Magnet School

This Decatur High student experiments with YUPO paper as he looks at a still life Mrs. Waldorf had set up.

As you can see, the Hooked on Art  staff enjoyed their  time with the students and teachers of Decatur. We understand, however, there are more schools to visit here . . .

"She can drive!"

One  highlight of our visit to Decatur came as Mrs. Guinn backed the AAEA art advocacy van up for the Sommerville Road students to see.   The  students began to cheer and clap as one student  yelled, “She can drive!” Their realization was a singular, emotional moment for the adults present.

Copper Tooling at Florence Middle School

Florence Middle School Student tools copper into an image

Students had prepared molds of symbols under the direction of art educator, Pat Reaves and  their science teachers. The Physical Education coaches  and teachers assisted each group with distribution and management. This was greatly  appreciated in that we saw 6 classes of approximately 80 students each in the gymnasium. Each student received their mold, a piece of copper, an instrument with which to tool the copper, an adhesive backing and a simulated leather cord from which to hang the pendant. The students were wonderful and cooperative. The most difficulty was in punching holes through the copper, forms  and backing.

Becky Guinn shares background information with Florence Middle School Students

"Becky Guinn Demonstrating her Painting for Students"

Note:  YUPO is a type off water media paper that is 100% polypropylene and can be used with any technique suitable for watercolor painting.

 

Rear of AAEA Hooked on Art Van

 

Sign World in Opelika, AL did an awesome job on the van wrap.  The above image is from their designer.

     All of the van fittings will assist the “Hooked on Art” Program.  This art box will give us a teaching focal point when we are presenting art activities outdoors.  Learning in an outside class can be a change of pace, but can also be a  distraction if there is not a single place to draw students’ attention.  The art box provides a central place to focus for teaching points.  Also, the images on the advocacy van provide examples of a variety of art periods, artist styles and art forms.  These will serve as resource images for art activities.

     Because ”The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance” (according to Aristotle), we have selected a curriculum guide, “How Artists See:” earth science elements, weather, cities, families, America, feelings, etc. is a series that we will use to integrate visual arts into core curriculum at the elementary level (Grades 3-6).  The teaching guide is from Abbeville Press, New York; and involves social studies, science, language arts and humanities.  Our Multicultural art activities are derived from “Passport to the World” from Kids Art Workshop, Inc.  This study involves the art disciplines plus environmental awareness across curriculums and covers 7 continents for 1st – 5th grades.