Students in Ms. Stupakevich's room recently completed a selfie portrait drawing and printing assignment. Mirrors were used to carefully draw their portraits for their cell phones. The second part of the assignment was carving an eraser to make their own stamping tool to print a repeat design on their cell phone case which completed their selfie's.   

Students in Mr. Snow's room recently completed a self portrait assignment where they drew themselves as part of the royal family. Students had a great time designing their crowns to put the finishing touch to this assignment.

Students in Mrs. Gray's class have recently started a canvas painting, using the theme "Under the Sea". For many, this is their first experience painting on canvas with acrylic paints. They are really enjoying this painting experience.

Students in Mrs. Drejer's class have been learning about the artist Paul Klee. They have created tropical fish in the artists style. Once completed, they will add a watercolor and salt wash to the backgrounds. 

Students in Mrs. Kulmann's class recently completed a mixed media tropical fish work of art. Tissue collage, watercolor, oil pastel, and metallic paper was used to complete these amazing pictures.

Our third grade students had a lesson about portraits today. We looked at famous artists' portraits and their different styles of painting. We then had a lesson on how artists draw eyes, noses and mouths, which will come in handy for when they start their own "selfie portraits". In this project, they will have to look at themselves in a portrait mirror while drawing. Eventually, they will be designing their own cell phone cases to frame their selfies. We did have a little fun taking a group selfie before starting the lesson. Check back to see our finished examples in the coming weeks.  

​Recently in Kindergarten, students learned about the famous artist Vasily Kandinsky who was a Russian artist that lived in Germany. He was one of the founders of twentieth century abstract art. Kandinsky paintings were very geometric, and one thing he was most known for was his paintings of concentric circles.  The children had a great time painting their own versions of Kandinsky’s concentric circles which were used in a collaborative mural. I think you’ll agree, they did an amazing job! 

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You may have been hearing from your child that they have been spending part of their art class learning about the different artists by going for an art gallery walk. This is similar to going to an art museum but right here in the hallways of Burr School. I have a wonderful collection of art prints hanging throughout the building to expose the children to famous paintings. This month’s museum gallery walks at Burr School have been about looking at landscapes by a variety of famous artists.  Specifically, we have been learning to look at the paintings. We have been having great discourse by comparing similar paintings, talking about the different styles and discussing how the famous artists interpreted the same subject. In addition, we have been learning how artists show perspective in landscapes, and how they can make the objects in their pictures look 3-D by overlapping details. The children now can recognize a horizon line, as well as the foreground, middle ground and background in a landscape picture. Stop by my blog page often at www.rsd17.org to see more pictures from each class showing some of the projects in progress. 
In closing, I’m looking for volunteers to begin the process of mounting the artwork for our annual art show. I already have quite a load of projects ready to be mounted and name tagged.  Please consider helping out. It is a great way to be involved with your child’s education and it’s one of the easiest volunteer jobs, as no special talent is needed other than the ability to use a glue gun. The mounting can be done preferably in the art room any time during the day, or at home once I have shown you what to do. Please send an email to jgranucci@rsd17.org 
Thank you for your continued support! Mr. Granucci
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Notes from Mr. Granucci, in the Art Room
We are off to a fantastic start this year in the art room.
The entire Burr School community, including all students and staff have been working on what will eventually be a collaborative mural. Our theme for this mural will be: “Until you spread your wings, you’ll have no idea how far you can fly.” In the coming weeks, the mural will be installed on the entire wall just outside of the gym facing the library. 
Students in grades K - 3 have been learning to look at still life paintings by famous artists hanging in the hallway just outside the art room. As a class, we have been discussing what they notice in each painting and comparing different artist styles such as realism, impressionism, cubism, and surrealism. I’m impressed with what the students in each class have to offer about the paintings during our museum gallery walks. The children in each class throughout the school are working on slightly different interpretations and complexities of a still life depending on the grade. 
I would like to encourage you to spend an afternoon, or even a rainy day taking your child to a local art museum. We are so lucky to have wonderful museums so close to Higganum and Haddam. The children really enjoy learning about famous artists. If you can participate in a docent led tour, even better!  Here is a list of local art museums you might consider visiting:

• New Britain Museum of American Art – New Britain 
  
• Yale Art Gallery - New Haven
  
• Florence Griswold Museum - Old Lyme
  
• Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art - Hartford
  
• Hillstead Museum - New Britain
  

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​Notes from Mr. Granucci, in the Art Room
The Haddam Elementary School Annual Art Show will be Wednesday May 22, from 6:30 – 8:00 in the evening. Please remember to mark your calendars. All the children have been working especially hard on their projects since September. Many projects have been based around the theme “Henri Rousseau’s Surreal Jungle”. The cafeteria and the hallways will be set up as an art gallery. I know you will be impressed with what your child has created this year as most projects, both 2-D and 3-D; is put on display. I hope you will make every effort to bring the whole family and friends on that night.
 
The night of the art show, please fill out an “Artist Gram” for your child located in the cafeteria. You can write a personal note to your child complimenting or congratulating them on their accomplishments. The “Artist Grams” will be delivered to your child in the days following the art show.
 
Remember to check out my blog on the district website to see some of the latest happenings going on in the art room.
 
WANTED:
          We will be hanging up the art show Tuesday May 21. Please consider helping us. Please, If any parent would like to help with hanging artwork for the art show, or taking down the art work after the art show, you can e-mail me at: jgranucci66@rsd17.org.,reply at the end of this newsletter return slip, or the Sign up Genius that was sent out earlier this month. No need to reply if you already have. We will be hanging pictures and setting up for the show on Tuesday May 21, starting at 8:30am. It is extremely important that we have parental help with this task. The children are so excited about showing off their work.                                                 
 
Sincerely,
Mr. J. Granucci
Art Teacher 

Fourth Grade Sculptures in progress

Third Grade Surreal Leopards Sculptures in progress

Third Grade Surreal Leopards in progress

Second Grade Surreal Tropical Birds in progress

Third Grade Surreal Lions in progress

Kindergarten Surreal Snake Sculptures

First Grade Surreal Bug Sculptures
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First Grade Tree Frog Sculptures
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Kindergarten Surreal Centipedes