Mixed Media Arts Around the World

In this series of classes students will travel around the world, and through time, learning about the art of different peoples and cultures. Each week's project will use simple art materials, as well as recycled materials, to introduce new techniques and styles. Students may sign up for the whole series or just pop in for certain lessons.

Gee’s Bend Quilts

Description: Starting this class series in the United States, students will learn about an African American Community of women from Gee's Bend, Alabama who have been designing and making quilts for utilitarian use for generations. We will explore pattern and design as we construct our own quilts.
Materials: Construction paper in a variety of colors, recycled paper (such as wrapping paper, envelopes, paper bags, etc), patterned paper, scissors, glue stick

Egyptian Cartouche Hieroglyphics

Description: We will travel back in time to learn about the Hieroglyphic writing systems of ancient Egypt. Participants will make a small book and fill it with picture stories and writing symbols from Egypt and from their own creation.
Materials: Paper, pencil, colored pencils, black marker

Pueblo Mimbres Pottery in Paper

Description: Students will learn about the ancient Mimbres Pottery discovered in burial sites in New Mexico from 1000 years ago. They will study the symmetric designs of patterns, animals, birds, insects and anthropomorphic human animals. Students will map out the bowl template on a piece of cardstock, then they will draw their symmetric designs and assemble the bowl.
Materials: Cardstock paper or manilla folder, pencil, marker or pen for outlining, coloring materials (colored pencils, crayons or markers), glue stick, scissors, tape

New Zealand KoWaiWai Paintings

Description: Students will learn about Maori art and create their own KoWaiWai paintings, similar to those on house posts in New Zealand. First they will learn about the symbolism of the paintings and make stencils, then they will create designs to paint.
Materials: Paper (watercolor paper or construction paper for painting), cardstock or thin cardboard that you can cut for stencils, watercolor paints or water-based paints, paintbrush, cup with water in it, scissors

Frida Khalo Inspired Vegetable Prints

Description: We will explore the paintings and costumes of Frida Khalo and create our own floral designs using stamps made from vegetables and food scraps.
Materials: Vegetable pieces such as celery, broccoli or cauliflower stems, carrot ends, potatoes, apples, mushrooms, corn on the cob (you do not need to waste food for this, you can use the ends and stems that would be put in the compost - save vegetable pieces in the freezer until ready to use!), watercolor paints, brushes, paper

Ndebele House Designs

Description: Students will learn about how the Ndebele of South Africa build their homes and adorn them with intricate patterned paintings and designs. They will create their own house design on paper and draw shapes and patterns on the walls then fill them in with color. They will complete the design of their painted house, with cut-out doors and windows and a stand.
Materials: Cardstock paper or manilla folder, pencil, ruler, black marker or pen for outlining, oil pastels or watercolor paints, scissor, tape, glue stick

Tapa Cloth from the Pacific Islands of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji

Description: Students will learn about the Pacific Islands of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, and their methods of making and decorating Tapa cloth out of tree bark.
Materials: Brown paper grocery bag, cardstock, scissors, sponge, black paint

African Masks

Description: Students will learn about the masking traditions of Liberia and Burkina Faso and locate these countries on a map. Then they will design and build their own headdress/mask art piece using found materials from around their home.
Materials: Paper, and pencil, recycled items (such as cereal boxes, TP tubes, tissue or tea boxes, egg cartons), tape, tissue paper, white glue or Mod Podge, an old paintbrushMaterials List:

General supplies for all classes:
- Sketch paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Sharpener
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Color pencils
- Crayons or markers
- Masking tape

Suggested:
- Water color paint pan set
- Brush
- Watercolor paper
- Cardstock paper
- Oil pastels
- Black marker or felt tip pen for outlining
- Construction paper
- White glue or Mod Podge
- Old brush for glue
- Black tempera paint

Recycled Materials:
- Brown paper grocery bag
- Envelopes
- Cereal box
- Other thin cardboard boxes
- TP tubes
- Egg cartons
- Wrapping paper
- Tissue paper
- Sponge