Upper School Art Blog - Working with Clay and Paper Mache, and The Memory Project

These incredible African inspired clay masks were recently made by our US2 students with the guidance of visiting artist and master potter Caroline Cercone. She says that with every clay project we are reminded of how clay connects us deeply to this planet. Our young artists certainly do love to have their hands on clay! Their masks have been added to the art show currently installed in the parent education room — we encourage you to drop by to view the work. 

Ritual and ceremonial masks are essential features of the traditional culture of the peoples of many countries in Africa. We began this project by first looking at many examples of African masks, taking note of the varied ways in which forms have been stylized and pondering their meanings and purposes. African masks are usually shaped after a human face or an animal's muzzle, though often greatly abstracted in a way that captures and depicts the spirit of the subject. 

More recently our US2 and US1 artists have begun a paper mache mask project. The making of masks is a very ancient human practice and we expanded our study by looking at examples from various time periods from many parts of the world. We will be adding some of these creations to our art show as they are completed — though some students do have the desire to gift them for the holidays!  

In the studio we also have a number of US2 students making progress on their Memory Project portraits. The making of portraits is an intimidating adventure for artists of any age, but our students are excited to take on the challenge!

The Memory Project is a charitable nonprofit organization that invites art teachers, art students, and solo artists to help cultivate global kindness by creating portraits for children around the world who have faced substantial challenges, such as violence, war, extreme poverty, neglect, and loss of parents. Our artists have been matched with children of the Philippines, and each are making several portraits of their selected child, the strongest of which will be delivered to that child. 

For more information about these children please watch this short yet remarkable video - https://www.memoryproject.org/philippines