Where was Genifer?

You may or may not have noticed my absence in the Art Studio last week...see if you can tell me by the posted photos WHERE in the world I was! I can't wait to see the answers. I will post more photos until someone guesses correctly OR you say "uncle!"

I will give you clues too...

So, here is the first one: In this town on the bay, the orioles play!

Drawing Like O'Keeffe at the Cowgirl

The Cowgirl Hall of Fame's new exhibit is "Georgia O'Keeffee and the Faraway: Nature and Image." This exhibit features some of O'Keeffe's work that has never been shown in our area and is well worth the visit.

On Saturday, April 24th, 4th through 6th grade students have the opportunity to attend a class focusing on the techniques O'Keeffe used in the creation of her landmark abstract images. The class is from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the cost is $25.00. There is a limit of 20 students, so registration is required. Call 817-509-8697 or email Cindi Collins at ccollins@cowgirl.net You can also register online at www.cowgirl.net

Main Street Arts Festival

Yesterday Main Street Arts Festival opened in downtown Fort Worth. This is a wonderful FREE opportunity to see all sorts of interesting artwork, hear some fantastic music and check out what some enterprising FWISD students are creating and selling. The festival is open each day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Star-Telegram booth features the winning artwork from the Blooming Young Artists Contest. Alice Carlson had 19 entries in this contest but did not have anyone selected to display. The contest had over 500 entries in it!

Main Street Arts Festival is also a fantastic opportunity to meet the artists and speak with them about their work. I encourage you to talk to these incredibly talented individuals. Often they are not from our area, traveling great distances to show their art.

Head down to the north end of the festival toward the courthouse and you will find a children's area. There are booths in which you can create your own art, get your face painted, learn about art opportunities and more! There are also the FWISD Young Artists booths where you can meet other students, see their art and purchase it, if you so desire. Last year, Carlson participated in this wonderful experience. I organize a group to develop an artistic idea, create the product and market the artwork usually during Spring Intersession on alternate years. Last year we made and sold stained glass mosaics...next year, who knows?

Find out more information about Main Street Arts Festival at www.mainstreetartsfest.org

Free Form Sculpture Project

When handed an old manila file folder and asked to create a 3D work of art, fourth and fifth grade students were a bit puzzled. How to make a flat piece of paper stand, unsupported, and appear sculptural was a challenge they met head on. Students looked at the work of Alexander Calder, specifically his stabiles (sculptures that stand or sit on something). They noticed that if you pulled his sculptures apart, they two were basically two dimensional.

The result was an eclectic mix of shapes, sizes, colors and constructions that at times defy explanation. Engineering the paper to be something other than what it initially appeared to be sparked everyone's imagination. Many of the sculptures will be on display during Family Fine Arts Night on May 25th at University Baptist Church. Several are currently on view in our online gallery at www.artsonia.com.

The sculpture featured in this post was created by Oliver H.

Congratulations to Austin C.

Donnette introduced him to birding and he took off! Austin began drawing birds this year after spending time in science class learning how to sketch in his science journal. He created many of the bird images in the hallway near the science lab. He also entered a bird montage created in pencil for an exhibition at Christ Chapel this Spring. Recently, he entered a contest to design a "duck stamp" for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Although his design was not chosen as the winning entry, Austin did receive a certificate, a commemorative bracelet and lapel pin. Way to go and keep up the good work!

Earth Day Photography Contest

The Earth Day Student Art contest is currently accepting entries through April 11th. There is contest information on our Artsonia website: www.artsonia.com/earthday

To enter the contest, bring your photo or a jpeg of your photo to Genifer and she will upload your photo through Artsonia. Parents must be registered with Artsonia to enter student artwork from a home computer (I believe).

FWISD Elementary Art Show 2010

This week begins the FWISD Elementary Art Show at the Fort Worth Public Library Downtown. Carlson's exhibit is located upstairs in the Childrens Section. There will be a reception honoring participants in the show Thursday, April 8th from 6:00 to 7:30. It is a "come and go" event where students are given ribbons and can see artwork from other FWISD schools as well as their own. The following students have artwork displayed:




Ximena Arista - 5th Grade
Avery Black - 2nd Grade
Harrison Christopher - 5th Grade
Jacob Coffey - 4th Grade
Aiden Deering-Frank - 5th Grade
Anna Delony - 5th Grade
Shelby Elliott - 4th Grade
Bernadette Gonzalez - 1st Grade
Max Gillmer - 5th Grade
Taylor Griffith - 5th Grade
Gabbye Guess - 5th Grade
Samantha Haro - 2nd Grade
Allison Helt - 3rd Grade
Jeffrey Herman - 5th Grade
Skyler Jensen - 2nd Grade
Rylan Jones - Kindergarten
Hayden Knowles - 5th Grade
Aaron Martinez - 2nd Grade
Sarah McMillan - 4th Grade
Avery Montez - Kindergarten
Lauren Mullender - 5th Grade
Ava Newton - 3nd Grade
Zoe Nichols-Payne - 3rd Grade
Natalie Owen - 5th Grade
Zach Prater - 5th Grade
Jeanine Quast - 4th Grade
Molly Robbins - 5th Grade
Olivia Roundtree - 1st Grade
Elena Sandoval - Kindergarten
Whitney Thomas - Kindergarten
Natalie Varnell - 5th Grade
Elisa Villazana - 5th Grade
Anna Walker - 1st Grade
Garron Walton - Kindergarten
Alana White - 4th Grade
Clemon White - 2nd Grade
Alicia Ybarra - 5th Grade
Jacob Zavala - 1st Grade