Art ASA

In Mural ASA this year, our goal was to brighten up the stairwells. We wanted to make people feel happy and inspired when the go up and down the stairs. We created 4 'windows' to place in the walls. Each window is inspired by an artist -except one; it's for the yellow wall that looks like a submarine! 

Here are some of our reflections about our ASA: 

We learned about different artists and with our new knowledge created artwork inspired by them. -Arnav

We worked together and shared ideas to create our art work. -Alice

We expressed our feelings and personalities through our art! -Noor and Stephanie

We had fun! -Aditaay 

Making murals lets our stress out, through the paintbrush and into the canvas! -Kaitlin 

Tree of Life inspired by Klimt

Using the elements of art and the principles of design (and their creativity) the grade 4 students designed and painted a tree of life inspired by Klimt's 'Tree of Life'. They used shiny paint, markers and a variety if other mediums to create their trees.

At the end of class we reflected on one another's work and celebrated how the elements of art were used:

Students thought that Gleb's work had movement and emphasis.

Noorje used pattern beautifully! 

What do you think? 

A Journey Back in Time

Students in Grade 2 journeyed back through time to see the art of the ancient people of the Lascaux caves in this video:   Lascaux Cave: Virtual Tour

They created their own art with coloured chalk and guessed why the cave people made art with their hands and painted animals. This is what they thought...

Cave people made art to...

• to tell a story. 
• to have fun! Maybe they got bored of catching animals so they made art. 
• so people would remember who they were and that they lived there. 
• to  share feelings.
• because they respected animals. 
• to show where they've been. 
• to show how much they've hunted and eaten.
• to explain what they did and how was their life. 
• to communicate to others. 
• so we can see how they lived in the past. 
• to show what animals lived there. 
• to collaborate and be friends. 
• to communicate
• to show the number of people who stayed in the cave. 
• They used colours to express their feelings. 
• to respect others feelings. 
• because drawing makes you feel happy. 

or

•  maybe they threw real arrows at the animals to pretend to hunt them. 
• maybe they think that when they die, their paintings will come to life. 

Click here for more information about the caves and the people that created this art.

Art ASA (Grade 3-5)

At GWA, every art class is a treat. Students are always enthusiastic and eager to come to class. I feel so lucky to teach such an amazing group of artists :) But seeing students who are so into art that they want to stay after a long day at school -now that's dedication!


During our first ASA class, we shared some goals and ideas about what they would like to do this term, and then we started with some drawing warm-ups.

We looked at a Malaysian artist, Cheeming Boey, who draws on cups. We talked about his art and the kind of drawings we might like to put on a cup. After creating our designs based on either real objects or imaginary ideas, we took out the sharpies and spent the rest of class working on our styrofoam cups. It was a little challenging in the beginning creating the lines we wanted on the soft cups, but after a little practise everyone looked like pros!

Celebrating A Local Artist

This week, a student from 3KR treated the class to some of his mom's art work. We were very impressed and inspired by the painting and the print. Many of the students chose warm colours for their sky like the ones they saw in the print. 

Explorers in Art

Grade 5 Students are learning about how artists are explorers. In order to find new ideas and create unique art, as artists, we must be risk takers and explore new ways of doing things. 
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Creating abstract Paul Klee Mono prints is a great way to experience the design cycle as we 
explore new ways of expressing ourselves and our emotions. Students are taking risks and solving problems as they try new ways of creating art. Mono prints allow the students to make many similar copies of their drawing, and experiment with the different effects. 

Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes visible. -Paul Klee

Reflections from Grade 5:

I was surprised that the pink mixed with the orange to make tertiary warm colours in my print! It works on my art because I wanted a calm and happy feeling.

 I was pleased with the way the black mixed with the vibrant pink. It's ver intense.. I have been feeling very overwhelmed and a little crazy because I feel like everything in my home is changing these days! 

I didnt like the way there was too much ink on the paper. It made my print look angry and  I wanted an excited feeling. I will try with less paint. 

An Interview with an Artist

Grade 5KL: preparing for their interview with a famous artist. 

Grade 5 students are busy researching and making a mask of their artist. After 2 classes to work on the project, they will be hosting an interview with their artist (using the mask) to share their learning with classmates. One part of the assignment is that they must share something about the artist's style of art with the class. Students must either make a piece of art in the artist's style or include something in the mask that tells about the artist. Can you spot Georgia O'Keeffe in the picture above? Picasso (in his blue period)? Matisse (I think he lost a few shapes on his forehead!)?

We have seen Pollock splashing paint about in the back room, monkeys hanging around Frida Khalo and Paul Klee experimenting with lines in acrylic paint. The art room has been a busy place!

You would likely find this artist outside, watching the changing light :)

Who could be hiding behind the floating apple? 

Grade 5AL 

Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life

What better way to review the ELEMENTS OF ART than to use them to make our own art! We looked at Gustav Klimt’s “Tree of Life” and noticed the tree’s spiralling lines, patterns, texture and shapes.

After a lesson on painting techniques, Grade 4 students went away to create their own tree. We noticed how the lines made our eyes move all over the page! Students learned how to make movement in their work.

Tree of Life -Gustav Klimt

Have a look at the display outside the new art room!