A variety of visual and literary art projects from the 6th-7th-8th grades will be displayed on this page. Each topic in the bar above connects to a blog page for your comments/questions. Just point the mouse on the topic to access the Blog.
DICE TSUTSUMI FROM SKETCHTRAVEL & PIXAR SPEAKS AT ROOFTOP!
The Sketchtravel innovator Dice Tsutsumi- well known animator and artist honored us with a visit Thursday the 12th for our Mayeda assembly . Sketchtravel is a unique international charity art project. This red sketchbook was passed from 71 artist's hand to another like an Olympic torch in an artistic relay through 12 countries over 4 and half years. After it was finished it was auctioned off for $100,000 which went to benefit Room to Read's South East Asia programs: The charity collaborates with local communities and governments to establish libraries, encourage development of local language, culturally-relevant children's books, and foster literacy in other ways. For more information of this unique art project that helps education around the world see: http://www.sketchtravel.com/
Thanks to Keith Zwolfer from the S.F. Film Society, Dice was able to come speak to both the Mayeda and Burnett students. Dice was an inspirational speaker and artist. He talked about being true to your dream, your passion and to see mistakes as always something to learn from. He told his life story, from starting as a boy in Japan who wanted to be a baseball player, to his journey into Pixar. The kids were thrilled to see his vast portfolio of work, from Toy Story, Ice Age, Horton, to his wonderful art that he loves to do in any extra time he has. And he asked kids to question what is the purpose of art. He then talked about how he uses art to make a change, to impact and help the world in his various
charities, like Sketchtravel. He also organized a number of other charities with art, to help the victims of the Tsunami in Japan, and the Totoro forest which was about to be torn down. Dice was genuine and a great story teller.
Here are some of the student comments from his presentation:
"My passion is also for art, but also for books. I agree with Dice that you should follow your passion because when you do what you love, you have a happy life. I feel the purpose of art is to inspire people to do good, and to show your feelings about something." Paulina 6th
"I feel the purpose of art is to spread joy and hope and life into places where there isn't any. I think after hearing Dice talk about mistakes, that it means greatness comes from mistakes. After hearing Dice, it makes me think I can accomplish anything I set my mind to." Maya 8th
"I felt great because Dice was easily understandable. I thought all the kids really respected him." Mathew 8th
"Everyone makes mistakes. It just makes you better, you will learn better." Francesca 8th
"Art is to express yourself and give other people joy. I think if I could pursue art for longer, I could become like Dice." Liam B. 8th
"It made me think that I can make a difference or do what I love." Alisha 8th
"I think the purpose of art is to open up people's minds and to think outside the box. He made me believe that maybe I could become what I want!" Abby 7th
" The purpose of art is to use it to inspire, to create, and to bring something new or better to the world. It made me think that art can take you anywhere." Sydney 7th
Along with the students, many teachers felt inspired. Many said they are going to really get their sketchbook and start drawing. They loved his life story and felt very encouraged.
Thank you so much Dice Tsutsumi for your story of heart and art! And thank you Keith Zwolfer who is from the S.F. Film Society and who offers Rooftop so many wonderful opportunities for our students to learn and grow from the arts!
Thanks to Keith Zwolfer from the S.F. Film Society, Dice was able to come speak to both the Mayeda and Burnett students. Dice was an inspirational speaker and artist. He talked about being true to your dream, your passion and to see mistakes as always something to learn from. He told his life story, from starting as a boy in Japan who wanted to be a baseball player, to his journey into Pixar. The kids were thrilled to see his vast portfolio of work, from Toy Story, Ice Age, Horton, to his wonderful art that he loves to do in any extra time he has. And he asked kids to question what is the purpose of art. He then talked about how he uses art to make a change, to impact and help the world in his various
charities, like Sketchtravel. He also organized a number of other charities with art, to help the victims of the Tsunami in Japan, and the Totoro forest which was about to be torn down. Dice was genuine and a great story teller.
Here are some of the student comments from his presentation:
"My passion is also for art, but also for books. I agree with Dice that you should follow your passion because when you do what you love, you have a happy life. I feel the purpose of art is to inspire people to do good, and to show your feelings about something." Paulina 6th
"I feel the purpose of art is to spread joy and hope and life into places where there isn't any. I think after hearing Dice talk about mistakes, that it means greatness comes from mistakes. After hearing Dice, it makes me think I can accomplish anything I set my mind to." Maya 8th
"I felt great because Dice was easily understandable. I thought all the kids really respected him." Mathew 8th
"Everyone makes mistakes. It just makes you better, you will learn better." Francesca 8th
"Art is to express yourself and give other people joy. I think if I could pursue art for longer, I could become like Dice." Liam B. 8th
"It made me think that I can make a difference or do what I love." Alisha 8th
"I think the purpose of art is to open up people's minds and to think outside the box. He made me believe that maybe I could become what I want!" Abby 7th
" The purpose of art is to use it to inspire, to create, and to bring something new or better to the world. It made me think that art can take you anywhere." Sydney 7th
Along with the students, many teachers felt inspired. Many said they are going to really get their sketchbook and start drawing. They loved his life story and felt very encouraged.
Thank you so much Dice Tsutsumi for your story of heart and art! And thank you Keith Zwolfer who is from the S.F. Film Society and who offers Rooftop so many wonderful opportunities for our students to learn and grow from the arts!
The Nothing Spot
There is a place I know of
Where nothing ever grows.
And how anything got there
Nobody will ever know.
Where time seems to stop.
Like the sea when the sun is set.
You always can see what's happening
So you escape all debts.
That space is my thinking spot
Where I go when troubled
But since I have been going there
All my pain has doubled.
So never go to the Nothing spot
It will only cause you woe
Never go to the Nothing Spot
Or it might never let you go
Evelyn Pugh
There is a place I know of
Where nothing ever grows.
And how anything got there
Nobody will ever know.
Where time seems to stop.
Like the sea when the sun is set.
You always can see what's happening
So you escape all debts.
That space is my thinking spot
Where I go when troubled
But since I have been going there
All my pain has doubled.
So never go to the Nothing spot
It will only cause you woe
Never go to the Nothing Spot
Or it might never let you go
Evelyn Pugh
Collage & Poetry Inspired by Gordan Parks
Students studied "Renaissance Man" Gordan Parks. He is called a national treasure with his photography in Life magazine illustrating humanity and human suffering as well as beauty. He was also a film maker, a poet, and an artist. Inspired by Gordan Park's poetry and collages, students created poems of a topic they care about, then they create a collage using colors and imagery that express the mood and feeling of their poem.
Our Terra Cotta Warriors inspired by China's Qin Shi Huang Army
In connection with 7th grade social studies study of China, and in anticipation of a field trip to the Asian Art Museum to see their collection of Terra Cotta Warriors, 7th grade created their version of Terra Cotta Warriors, using their own design, and their own family symbol or animal that represents themselves. Students learn sculpting using clay, 3D representations.
Recycle Sea Creature Mosaics
6th grade students study the beauty of the ocean and it's fragile nature. Students realize facts of present dangers to our earth and oceans: 90% of big fish are gone, 50% to 70% of oxygen comes from the ocean etc and study some of Sylvia Earle's research.
Students design a sea creature mosaic using recycled soda cans to create their fish or other sea creature. Students design the surrounding of the central tin creature with mosaics.
Students design a sea creature mosaic using recycled soda cans to create their fish or other sea creature. Students design the surrounding of the central tin creature with mosaics.
Printmaking from Heroes to Endangered Species over the years
Social justice heroes: Students chose what social issue is important to themselves. After their research, they design an image and produce prints on a colorful background in the style of many Latino artists such as Ester Hernandez and Cornelios Campos . Students demonstrate an increased knowledge of technical skills in the printmaking process and create art that expresses their personal opinions about current social or political issues.