Inspired by Cultural Celebrations, Art Students Create New Sculptures
With the popularity of past projects inspired by Día de los Muertos, Hendrick Hudson High School art teacher Jessica Nash decided to expand the boundaries for a new project this fall. Her Studio Art students were tasked with researching one of several fall celebrations around the world and selecting one to inspire an ongoing sculpture project.
The students learned about traditions like Día de los Muertos, the Chinese Moon Festival, Samhain and more. They then picked a celebration to focus on, creating a sculpture and completing a research paper. They recently put down their laptops and picked up their art materials and began to create the sculptures that represent their chosen celebration.
“I thought this was a good way for them to learn about connections between their experiences and those of people around the world — all while learning new sculptural techniques,” Ms. Nash said.
The options students had to choose from were diverse. For instance, junior Adam Smith selected the Dożynki Harvest Festival — a Slavic festival that celebrates the end of the harvest season — and is creating a wheat stalk as his sculpture.
Students were paired up or formed groups related to the celebration they decided to research. Freshman Caitlyn McKee and sophomore Gianna Fiore Scally teamed up to create something related to Día de los Muertos, The Day of the Dead, which is widely observed in Mexico on Nov. 1 and 2. They are in the process of sculpting candles decorated with dripping wax and marigolds formed from plaster.
“I think that it really has meaning,” Fiore Scally said. “This is a pretty thing that can be used to celebrate the lives of people who have passed away. It represents the idea that someone important to you never really passes on.”
Ms. Nash said she hopes the projects can help students connect with both the ELA and Global History curriculum.
“We’ve also had a good response to having the students work in groups, which I hope we can do more of,” she said. “When they are in groups, I think they learn that each member of the group can work on the areas they are strong in and that they can all learn how to work together.”
Once the sculptures are complete, they will be on display throughout the high school. Be on the lookout next month for these impressive creations!