Promoting Self-Expression Through Creativity

Funded Dec 3, 2024

The art materials donated to my classroom have given the students and me the opportunity to expand the high school art program to include projects I didn't think I would be able to accomplish this year. The students expressed that they had not previously worked with clay, so they were excited to create pinch pots, one of the oldest clay vessel techniques. To provide my students with a more in-depth experience with the clay, I had my students mold decorative fish from their simple pinch pots. They loved the activity and couldn't wait to show them to their parents.

When my students first saw the boxes, their smiles were wide and they screamed they wanted to see the amazing new supplies. When we started to unpack the boxes, the students became curious, excited, and grateful. They love the shelf for displaying their projects, watercolors, paint brushes, palettes, and scissors. Many students asked if all of the new supplies were for their use, and I was thrilled to share the great news with them that generous people donated the materials so the students could continue creative endeavors with me in the classroom and broaden their horizons with new supplies.

These art supplies will continue to enhance my students' creativity and give them the opportunity to explore their artistic interests. My students are currently making modular sculptures with popsicle sticks and will display them on the shelf that showcases the in-progress and completed colorful fish pinch pots. Our next project is foam board printmaking. Students will welcome spring by learning about the history of Japanese Woodblock Printing and the significance of the cherry blossom trees that were given as a gift to the United States. Students will create their prints on the foam board and use the donated watercolor paints to design their beautiful prints.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Ware