Describes an art activity where children create imaginary character sculptures using clay. Discusses how the students created their creatures after first drawing their ideas and then painting their sculptures. (CMK)

Discusses an art activity that has students create pictures in which they first trace a chameleon pattern and then add camouflage to conceal the chameleon. Explains that different materials and techniques are used for students in grades k-1 and 2-5. (CMK)

Describes a unit on clay casting that introduces students to relief sculpture. The unit takes three 45 to 50 minute class periods three weeks apart. Discusses each class session in detail: (1) creating the casting; (2) turning out and rinsing the casting; and (3) enriching the surface with color. (CMK)

Discusses a project focusing on icosahedrons that combines geometry, structure, graphic design, animation, motion, and mechanical and freehand drawing with ancient Greek catapult mechanics. Includes directions on how to both construct a template and develop the pattern for the icosahedrons. (CMK)

Provides information on Willie Bester, who lived under Apartheid in South Africa and used his art to bring public attention to the plight of persecuted people. Includes a reproduction of Bester's collage, "Crossroads." Discusses the history and social message of "Crossroads." (CMK)

Explains that if students want to depict predatory animals in works of art, they need to learn the shapes of the animals and their habitats. Discusses four artworks (reproductions included) that depict predatory animals by Darrel Austin, Ando Hiroshige, Antoine Louis Barye, and John Singleton Copley (CMK)

Provides information on marine painting, the historical treatment of its subject matter, and its stylistic development. Discusses and includes reproductions of paintings, from the marine collection of the Butler Institute of American Art, by Robert Swain Gifford, Stuart Davis, Alfred Thompson Bricher, Augustus V. Tack, and James E. Buttersworth.…

Contends that children's playfulness with flashlights is an artform suitable to the art classroom. For example, flashlights can become drawing tools or a means of sculpting with forms and light. Discusses works by "flashlight artists" and considers flashlight art history in the classroom. (CMK)

Describes a project in which ninth grade students sculpt gargoyles as part of a Gothic unit. Discusses the construction of the gargoyles from the initial sketches to sculpting methods and effects to finishes. Offers tips on what to avoid. (CMK)

Discusses an art project in which sixth grade students design alphabets by transforming the shapes of the letters into new designs that are still recognizable. Explains that students brainstorm ideas for their own lettering style. (CMK)

Reviews the work and life of Maxfield Parrish, an illustrator and painter. Considers "Maxfield Parrish, 1870-1966," an exhibition featuring more than 170 works, including easel paintings, mural studies, drawings, and prints. Provides examples of his artwork and an itinerary for the exhibition. (CMK)

Describes projects that focus on the design, purpose, and materials of windows, such as making mock window displays and redesigning on paper stained glass windows. Provides a list of project ideas and pictures of different types of windows. (CMK)

Highlights "Celebrating the Creative Spirit," a traveling exhibition featuring the work of 25 furniture-makers from nine southern states who use furniture as a means of personal artistic expression. Provides background on five different artists and an example artwork from each. (CMK)

Describes a drawing assignment, using colored pencil, that explores color, texture, and relationships among drawn objects. Students use reference photographs to create a drawing in which one object is juxtaposed against a crowd of similar but different objects. (CMK)

Discusses maritime paintings addressing such topics as why artists are attracted to sailing vessels and the content of the paintings. Includes reproductions of paintings by Edward Hopper, John H. B. Everett, Lyonel Feininger, and Willem van de Velde the Younger. Selects works to help students realize that maritime art is quite varied. (CMK)