Hands-on Art best describes the activities which take place in the Lower School Art Room. Students are encouraged to explore, take chances and strive for excellent craftsmanship. They are introduced to the elements of design (space, line, shape, form, color, value and texture) while working with a variety of materials in challenging projects. Listed below is a sampling of projects and the materials often used in creating these projects:

Drawing: Materials include pencil, charcoal, pastels, crayons, markers, resist for batik, fabric writers, scratchboard, the computer and others.

Painting and Printmaking: Materials include tempra, acrylics, inkodyes, watercolor, ink, colored pencils, crapas, the computer and others.

Sculpture: Materials include clay, wire, wood, cardboard, plexiglas, paper mache, leather, fabric, model magic and others.

Mixed Media: Projects include enamelling on copper, making fabric banners, stitching batik pillows, creating friendly plastic jewelry, embossing on cards, making paper, cooking, weaving, doing simple photo work and others.

Integrating art with the academic departments is deemed important in providing a well-rounded program in the Lower School. Integration of subjects enhances the students' experience. Some of the projects which demonstrate successful integration include:

Science and Art: The study of the human muscular-skeletal system encourages accuracy in the detail drawing of the human body. The anatomy of the insects and arachnids is reinforced in the modeling of paper mache, clay and wire sculpture of these animals. Such projects offer the perfect opportunity for students to recycle materials from home. The relationship between a contour map and the physical features of the land is clarified with the construction of a 3-dimensional relief clay model. Dissection of a flower and examination of the veins in a leaf can be applied in the study of symmetry and patterning in creative designs such as embossing and printmaking.

Language Arts and Art: The creation of a character/sculpture living in a decorated shoe becomes the main character in a storybook written and illustrated by the student. A puppet show comes alive with a cast of handmade characters and a script written by students. Poems are enhanced with watercolor painting.

Mathematics and Art: Enlarging a picture via a drawing as a group project turns a small picture of the Statue of Liberty into a wall-sized view which becomes more meaningful.

Religion and Art: The making of enamelled crosses for the St. Alban's acolytes to wear allows students to contribute to the spiritual life of the school.

Social Studies and Art: The study of Medieval times presents an excellent opportunity to examine the many arts and crafts of the era. Much research is needed on the students' part to recreate a stained class window, a leather pouch, a clay or metal relief, even a costume of the period. Life on the Oregon Trail is re-enacted with the creation of covered wagon sculptures.

Performing Arts and Art: Productions are enhanced through the creation of stage sets, props, even table decorations as needed.

The Lower School Art Department takes an active role in the community by sharing creations with hospitals, care homes, the Meals on Wheels program, and by working with other schools in Hawaii, other states and countries. Sharing and caring is often emphasized in our work. The art room is set up as a working art gallery viewed by many parents and guests of the school.

Kindergarten students come to the art room to create special projects as often as they can be sheduled. They also receive art instruction on a daily basis in the regular classroom. First through sixth grade students come to the art room once a week for 55 minutes. Afterschool art classes are available for students as an enrichment program.

The Lower School art teacher knows what the students' strengths and weaknesses are and offers praise, recognition, support and individual help when needed. The art creations reflect a background in basic art combined with new trends, approaches and materials available in today's world. Students leave the art room feeling good about themselves, having had the opportunity to be productive, creative and critical in the arts.

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