We are off and running!

By Dorothy Miller, Visual Arts Teacher

Thank you AFIA families for your support during my maternity leave. Baby William was born on the first day of school! Of course your students are constantly making art in their home classrooms, but we did not officially begin Art Class until the end of September. Since my return, the young AFIA artists have impressed and amazed me with their skills and willingness to jump right in to difficult tasks. 

The portraits pictured above were made by Mrs. Cobbins’ 5th grade class. The rest of the upper elementary classes are beginning their portraits this week. This is the 4th year that upper elementary AFIA scholars have created these large portraits and it is always my favorite time of the year. It is so beautiful to see how each student changes and improves their work through the years. This year we are focusing on the symbolism in their background as well as accuracy and technique in the facial features. I am looking forward to displaying their artist statements alongside each piece. 

4th and 6th grade scholars have been practicing their focus and concentration with these complex line drawings (above). We reviewed art and math vocabulary with vertical, horizontal, and perpendicular lines. Each student added their own unique vision to the paintings with patterns and color.

Kindergarten, Pre-K, and 2nd grade learners have also been painting up a storm. We have been exploring Fall themes with leaves and apples. They have been working to perfect their watercolor techniques while learning about organic shapes and color blending.  It has been wonderful to see the joy on their faces as they discover different ways of using the materials. I love hearing a group of Kindergarteners happily exclaim “we’re painting! We’re painting!”