In addition to my art classes offering a strong foundation in drawing skills, I try to develop projects that reinforce skills learned in other areas of study.  I also try to make projects fun so that students are willing to put more effort into their work, which in turn allows them to feel more successful in their attempt to create great masterpieces.   St. Paul students participate in a couple of contests during the year as a way to compare their artistic skills with other art work.  this gives them the opportunity to try their very best and utilize the skills we try to practice during our regular classes.  This Christmas  Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital will be printing  designs  created by four  of our students.  We are very proud of Anna, Megan, Julie, and Cassandra.

As our year begins our St. Paul students will be decorating the halls with their school colors as they design their name flags.  I believe this is a great way to reorganize them into their new homeroom groups.  We will also be working on self portraits.  We all need practice at drawing people so I try to do this a few times throughout the year. 


September brings the beginning of paper mache fun.  Grades five through eigth construct masks during the first quarter.  Some classes build a paper mache mask on a plastic form.  They then paint and decorate the mask and display it for the whole school to see.  Students look forward to this project.

The second graders will begin their work with model magic during the week of September 15th.  I coordinate with their study of St. Francis and we mix natural color model magic to make little animal friends.  Students will have a drawing lesson as they try to draw their animal friends from three views.  This gives them the chance to draw what they actually see from three different positions.

Third graders were able to mix some fun with their week of standardized testing by watching a Penn and Teller film.  These well known magicians have a series of films explaining different aspects of art.  Their animated approach to teaching captures everyones attention.  Third graders learned all about color from these great magicians.

As October arrives we all know that Christmas is just around the corner.  I received the order form in the mail for Cardinal Glennon's Cards for Kids Christmas card collection.  Of the fifteen hand drawn designs being printed St. Paul students have four designs available.   Look for designs by Anna, Megan, Julie, and Cassandra.

Fun Halloween projects are beginning in art classes.  Every class will be creating some version of a mask.  Some will be able to be added to their trick or treat costume, but most are meant to be artistic masterpieces for viewing in the halls of St. Paul.  I hope your children enjoy these projects.