Editor's Note

Arts & Activities, May, 2001 by Maryellen Bridge

Every year, we in the editorial office enjoy putting together the May issue. The hundreds of projects we receive for consideration all delight us, but it's especially fun to see the sculptural works that students create. This year, in addition to the student work, we were granted permission to feature the majestic sandstone sculpture of Sety II on our cover. Egyptian art is a favorite of both teachers and students, and Mark Johnson's article, "Learning from Exhibitions: Eternal Egypt ... Masterworks of Ancient Art from the British Museum" (page 16) contains a wealth of information and some wonderful photographs that will enrich your Egyptian art resource materials. We urge those of you who live near a museum on this exhibition's itinerary (page 18) to take advantage of the opportunity and plan a class field trip.

Once inspired by these Egyptian works, challenge your students to create their own art. Any one of the articles we offer in this issue will help you. One place to start is "Mysteries, Myths and Meanings" (page 20), which details how to turn myths and legends into ornate mixed-media boxes. Of course, clay is a great medium for sculptural work. The information included in "Celebrating the Familiar: An Interview with Betty Spindler" (page 22) will enlighten and direct you toward a fun experience wherein students will shape, decorate and glaze some "Fired Up Fruit." "Abstract Sculpture: Wire and Plaster Cloth Creations" (page 29) is a perfect way for middleschoolers to explore the elements of art and principles of design, learning line, texture, color, form and balance as they plan and execute their sculptures.

What does an art teacher do when faced with a ton of plaster gauze and a bird bath salvaged from a scrap heap? One answer is found in "From Birdbaths to Bowls" (page 30) , where a cache of gauze and a birdbath are used in a clever highschool project that combines sculptural and painting skills. The resulting bowls are beautiful enough to hang in a home or gallery, and instructions are included so that students can do just that! Whimsy is provided by "Wee Folk: Enchanting Creatures Come to Life" (page 32). Here, student-sculptors loved getting their hands into modeling compound, planning, shaping and then baking their very own Wee Folks. Infused with the enthusiasm oft heir young creators, the finished sculptures seem to come to life. These enchanting little folk would be great additions to any art-room population!

Literature, drama and art come together in "The Ulysses Project" (page 33), in which middle-schoolers interpret the "Odyssey" and "Adventures of Ulysses" using wire and foil armatures, draped with plaster gauze. "Excelsior Animals" (page 36) is another inexpensive project designed to involve your students in creating sculpture. Using a "throw-away" product--excelsior--kids can create their own three-dimensional `furry friends.'

We think you and your students will enjoy these sculptural activities as much as we enjoyed putting them together for you. If you have a project you'd like to share with us, now is the perfect time to send it in for review. Our writer's guidelines explain the submission procedure, and are now available on our Web site: www.artsandactivities.com. You may also receive a hard copy of the guidelines by sending a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope to: Writer's Guidelines, Arts & Activities, 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108. We hope to hear from you!