Mosaic Collage Program
Let your students show their school spirit and create art that addresses climate change and plastic pollution.
Start with the students collecting non-recyclable single-use plastic bags and sheeting. Then use this raw material to create murals representing the school colors and mascot.
Expand on the project by letting the students design and execute the creation of collaged mosaic window art from these same materials. The window art could address diversity, inclusion, and/or mindfulness. Learning graphic design skills while creating art to beautify a part of the school will sharpen observational skills and deepen the connection students make between conceptual thinking and tangible process.
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Collect materials.
Single-use plastic packaging (plastic shopping bags, plastic packaging from supermarket items such as paper towels, toilet paper, bread bags, etc), scissors and glue sticks or glue dots.
It all starts with a presentation. The visiting artist meets with the group to explain the project and show examples of what they need to collect for materials. The presentation takes just under a half hour and multiple participating classes can be scheduled one after the other.
The visiting artist leaves a large bin for material collection in the classroom or the children can make their own signage and bins to put around the school. The kids usually need about a week to collect the materials, longer time may be scheduled to work within the school district's schedule.
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Design and create.
The first part of the project is the design phase. Students are guided by the visiting artist to replicate the school mascot and motto on a repurposed plastic canvas. If inspirational mosaics are also part of the project, the design phase will take place in the beginning as well; followed by drawing out the designs on a repurposed plastic canvas.
Once the materials are collected the artist returns to guide the children through making the artwork and the mosaic creation can begin. Students are provided glue sticks or glue dots and can use their own scissors.
The kids cut out colorful sections from their materials and put them together into the proper sections of the mosaic pattern. This process takes time and attention to detail. Students will learn to recognize color families, learn about color gradation and even geometry as they fit the many shapes they cut into one whole. This will take time, patience and planning.
Create site-specific art from repurposed single-use plastic.
It all starts with a presentation. The visiting artist meets with the group to explain the project and show examples of what they need to collect for materials. The presentation takes just under a half hour and multiple participating classes can be scheduled one after the other.
The students meet with the artist for an hour and a half, and up to four hours at a time. This is a project that can vary in scope and complexity. A lot can be accomplished in two weeks or two months. We welcome year long projects which can involve as many students as possible.
