WonderRoot

Atlanta's own WonderRoot tweeted me about helping them host a podcast!

If you don't know about this awesome establishment, their twitter explains that WonderRoot is, "an Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization committed to uniting artists and community to inspire positive social change."

WonderRoot's original digs at 982 Memorial Drive.
Source:  http://www.wonderroot.org/get-involved/membership/

But it's so much more than that! The little house on a corner of Memorial Drive is a community hub for artists, students, and musicians. Not only do they host shows for local and traveling bands and exhibits for up-and-coming artists, they also offer open studio sessions and lessons in a variety of media at seriously affordable prices (we're talking all-access monthly memberships for $10). In fact, "students are encouraged to pay class fees at whatever level their current life situation allows (minimum $1/class). Students’ fee level will not be shared and students will not be prioritized based on the size of the fee they pay."

WonderRoot's beautiful new building across the street at 1043 Memorial Drive!
Source:  http://www.wonderroot.org/newcenter/

Recently, WonderRoot acquired, "a 54,000-square-foot former schoolhouse . . . opened as John F. Faith Elementary School in 1922 and renamed C.D. Hubert Elementary in 1963." Read more about the expansion here:

http://artsculture.blog.ajc.com/2014/08/11/wonderroot-wins-approval-to-expand-into-memorial-drive-schoolhouse/

Stop by soon and learn something new!!

Special Exhibit + Fav Artist Fridays!

Love T. Nolan will be hosting a traveling exhibit again this year!! From October 20th - 24th, we'll have 7 silk panels featuring 24 paintings from The International Museum of Twenty-First Century Arts on display.

"The goal of TIMOTCA is to collect one piece of art from an artist in every country in the world to serve as a catalyst for peace and cultural understanding through the universal language of art."

TIMOTCA's Art Beyond Borders collection, "was born from a series of international exhibits that premiered at the United Nations Headquarters," and features work by renowned international artists nominated to participate by their respective countries.

Launched in the City of Honolulu on June 17, 2010 the exhibit began its national tour to over 75 cities across America. We are so excited to be another stop on its journey!

Now, on to this Friday's Fav Artist (after the jump)!

iPads in the Art Room

We've started using iPads a lot in the Art room this year. In fact, we're using them so much that I created a Donor's Choose project to get more iPads just for us so that we don't have to dip into the school's supply. You can donate here:  http://bit.ly/ipadsfortheartroom!

Here are three ways we've used iPads so far this year:

1. Let kids post answers to Padlet (kinda like a virtual bulletin board), so everyone has a voice! The page updates in real time, too. Here are some of my 4th grade buddies answering the open-ended prompt, "Art is . . . " and a few of their awesome responses (y'all already know they made me tear up)!
   
   
     


2. Instead of standing in front of the kids and lecturing, I create presentations that they can watch and talk about in small groups. You can see they're engaged in conversation about the content and following the activity prompts on their own. I can answer questions and support students as needed and then review what they've learned when they're all done.
   
   
   
   
   
3. iPad use number three: voting activities! Kids are exposed to different styles of artwork, begin developing personal preferences, and learn to think about, articulate, and defend their choices. We also spend time comparing and contrasting the options. It's a great hook for the beginning of a lesson! iPads help with efficiency and time management here.
   
   
   
   

What do you think?? How do you use iPads in your classroom?

Elements in Action

Explore Henri Mattise's paiting Harmony in Red below to learn more about the elements of art. Click here to get started: 

Happy New Year!

It's been a while since I posted! I promise, it's just been that crazy!! I am committing myself to blogging regularly again, though, so keep coming back for more updates and Fav Artist Fridays.

Since our last post we have:

• held our second annual school-wide Art Show featuring 600+ student masterpieces;
• begun planning a VERY special event with the Woodruff Arts Center;
• aqcuired three iPads and an iPod touch for the art room (and we're expecting more);
• and been added to the short list of Fulton County schools recieving 3D printers!! 

    That's right, ladies and gentleman, it is officially the future. In a few short weeks, students at Love T. Nolan Elementary School will be printing THINGS. ITEMS. OBJECTS. I cannot wait.

Stay tuned for a post on how we're using our iPads in the Art Room and enjoy your long weekend!

Art Show

It's been super busy in the art room here at Love T. Nolan. We held our very first school-wide art show on February 26th in conjunction with the annual Black History Program and it was a hit! Take a look:

We were able to raise almost $400 for art supplies and Club projects!! A HUGE thank you to everyone who visited! Special thanks to Ms. Jones, Ms. Pullin, Ms. Bradley, Ms. Everson, my sister Jamie Traynor for helping out and especially to Dr. Lemons for purchasing seven framed artworks to hang in the school permanently! I'll post a picture of those masterpieces soon--they look beautiful in the front hallway.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Art Club Update + Fav Artist Friday

At our last Art Club meeting, we had a chance to Skype with Nashville-based landscape architect Matt Scott! He took time out of his busy day at Hodgson & Douglas to give us an awesome presentation about the history and process of landscape architecture, environmental art, and the importance of parks and planned outdoor spaces in our community.

Afterward, students got to interview him in real time from 250 miles away! Such a cool experience. Thanks, Matt!!

Now, check out this week's fav artist after the jump!

The Color Wheel

Here's an awesome color wheel video I came across when I visited Fun Art 4 Kids, another Art teacher's blog!

 

I like it almost as much as this OK Go cameo on Sesame Street (thanks to fellow FCS Art teacher Kim Muhlheim for sharing this one):

 

Have a great week!! See you back here on Friday for another Fav Artist!

Art Club

We had our second Art Club meeting on Wednesday and it was a blast! We talked about a couple of cool art contests club members can enter--Georgia's own Dream Art Contest and the PTA's annual nationwide Reflections contest--and students got their first sketchbook assignment . . .

to be completed in their very own, brand new, fancy schmancy hardbound sketchbooks! Special thanks to my favorite local art supply store Binders for having a ton of these in stock at a great price.

Check back next week for more updates and a new Fav Artist!

Art Club Reminder

Next Art Club meeting is tomorrow--Wednesday, October 17th--from 2:45 to 3:45. Don't forget to bring your completed Artist Trading Cards to swap with your clubmates!