This week in art, I got to play Tim Gunn as 2nd graders filed into the art room. Their tables were filled with autumn-themed party favors and napkins that I picked up at the Dollar Store.
2nd graders probably thought we were going to have some kind of autumn party with all of these decorations
and in a way, they were right. Before I announced their challenge’, I defined assemblage. We discussed found objects’, layouts, and how to assemble objects into our artwork. 
Their challenge: Create a beautiful work of art (assemblage) by using the fall-themed objects at your table. This is a 2 week challenge, meaning they had all of class today and all of class next week to complete their pieces.
Today was all about creating interesting backgrounds as solid foundations for our assemblages. All of the fun stuff (leaves, little plastic pumpkins, flowers, ect) will be glued on next week. I started off class with a quick demonstration of how to tissue paper bleed. I showed students how to run watery glue overtop of their napkins, too, to so that designs would blend in with each other. This technique gives a sense of transluceny and creates interesting layers. I rung my bell and 2nd graders got started!
I walked around the room and gave advice. The layers were starting to look really cool. I encouraged a few students who were hesitating to go wild’ with their artwork by telling them that this was JUST the background. If you decided that you didn’t like something, you could cover it up next week with a sunflower, ribbon, or leaf!
Who knew napkins could be so fun? Next week, the flowers, leaves, paint, foil, stamps, mesh, felt, ribbons, and pumpkins will come out. Stay tuned!
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