<p> Masterpiece Art</p><p>Today Mrs. Gardemann’s class did the first of their Masterpiece Art projects that will be done approximately once a month throughout the year. The theme of the project is chosen by Mrs. Gardemann to coincide with the time of the year and themes she is currently teaching in the classroom.</p><p>The theme of our first project was “spooky things”. The Masterpiece Art volunteers chose to highlight the art of M.C. Escher, specifically a print containing a pattern of bats. We talked briefly about Escher’s life and the children viewed different examples his work. We talked about how the artist arranged recognizable objects, often animals, into a pattern to create a completely different picture versus when only one lizard or bat is shown. </p><p>Next the children created their own compositions in the style of M.C. Escher. Since so many of Escher’s works are patterns, the lesson was intended to tie into the patterning the students have learned about so far this year. They each used paper cut outs of bats and/or spiders to create their own pattern. We discussed how repeating the same few shapes and varying their position can make a composition interesting. </p><p>The projects the children create in the Masterpiece Art program are not sent home when they are complete. They will be displayed in the Kiva Art Fair in the spring. After the Art Fair the children can bring all of their projects home. </p><p>We hope the Masterpiece Art program will encourage an appreciation of art and provide a springboard for discussion and creativity.</p>