Create Books, Be an Author

I have been creating family-based books since my kids were born. One of our favorite books is about my oldest son making hummus dip; each page has an image of my son following each step in the process of this delicious family favorite. Believe it or not, I still read it to my kids weekly before they go to bed.

I also have a book I designed about a yearly tradition we have in our family of going to the NYC Macy's Day Parade. All these books have pictures of my kids and extended family and all the words were written by me. I then use either Shutterfly, Snapfish or IPhoto to design these books online and pay to get them professionally printed. They cost an average of about 40$ each with shipping. But they are truly priceless in their value.

On that note, I've been thinking of having a class for parents who might also want to do this at home with their family. It's a great way to teach your child that they too could be authors, photographers and/or illustrators. If anyone is interested in taking this free class, please e-mail me at Miriam.Cutelis@yahoo.com. We can set up a time after school and I'd love to share this process. It's such a fun experience for the entire family and they make amazing holiday gifts!!

3rd grade- Glued on our large shapes

3rd graders are on their way to finishing their DC Landmark pillows!! Yeah!! Each child had cut out their basic landmark shapes and glued them onto a cloth. All the cloth you see here has been donated by parents. So I have to take a minute and thank those parents who have brought in these amazing swatches....and the flatsheets too. We have cut up the flat sheets to be the background all the smaller pieces are glued to.

Here you see the capital (not yet finished).
Adams Morgan.....(not yet finished)
I'm not quite sure which landmark this is, but it is beautifully glued and very proportionate.

Parents, we will be sewing these pillows once all the pieces are glued on. Please contact me if you have any concerns. I will have each child have their own needles and will provide a thorough lesson on safety PRIOR to sewing.

Pre-K Begin Their Sculpture Unit

This week most Pre-k classes will begin their sculpture unit. As you can see all your donations are being used here, from boxes to cardboard to corks and wooden pieces.

We looked at various famous abstract sculptures and children were encouraged to glue together pieces they liked. They were not necessarily encouraged to make an image of anything, but instead told to focus mostly on shapes and textures they liked.

These sculptures will be dry next week and ready for stage II. They will add small details on to the sculptures. The next week, Ms. Cutelis will bring metallic acrylic paint and have children paint their entire composition in either "silver" or "gold". I can't wait to see them!!!

Tour of Displays Around the School

I am trying my best to pepper the school with your child's art. In case you have not seen the work here is a tour of some of my displays. I try to address the adult and the children in my displays. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Printmaking Practice with 1st Graders

Torn and pre-Cut Paper Collage with Pre-K

Painting with Kindergartners

Painting with Kindergartners

Facial Proportions with the 4th Graders

Color Recipes with the 2nd Graders

KIDS' Art Contest News

Hey Kid artists out there!! I copied and pasted this information below from http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Event/115269-235

I use to enter these all the time as a teen. They are so much fun!

The 2009 Turkish Festival & ATA-DC

Proudly Presents:

The Washington DC Kids Art Contest

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he/she grows up”
-Pablo Picasso-
Theme: “Draw Your Dream Festival”
(What would you like to see at a festival?)

Eligibility: Children ages 5-13 years old
Entries may be submitted in one of 3 categories:

Category 1: ages 5-7.
Category 2: ages 8-10.
Category 3: ages 11-13.

Awards:
There will be one winner from each category. All winners will receive:
• $250 cash award
• Private art class from a well-known artist, Nihal Kececi.
• $75 Gift card from tulumba.com
• Free magazine subscription to Bonbon Kid’s Magazine
• Art supplies, and much more!

In addition to the winners, all participants will receive a Certification of Recognition and gifts from ATA-DC. Winners from each category will have their art featured in Bonbon Magazine, on the ATA DC website and in promotional materials

How to enter this free contest:
Artists will draw their artwork at the festival on the 4th of October between 10:00 am -1:00 pm at the Kid’s Tent. Each child can submit original works of art, in any style or medium. Applicants may submit multiple entries in the contest. Preferred sizes for the art work are 8.5” x 11”. Submissions should not be three-dimensional. Art supplies (Colored pencils, crayons, water color, colored markers, oils, and acrylic) and paper will be provided during the contest. However participants are welcome to bring their own art supplies.

Artists must register for the contest before the festival. Official entry forms are available online.

Judging:
Winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges. Entries will be judged according to the interpretation of the concept, creativity, use of color and overall composition.
Notification:
All winners will be announced at the Turkish Festival on October 4th, 2009. All entries will be exhibited at the Kid’s Tent the afternoon of the festival.
An awards ceremony will be held for the winners at 4:00 pm at the festival.

For more information contact:
Muge Delamater,
Art Contest Coordinator:
mugedelamater@hotmail.com
or visit our website
www.turkishfestival.org

Volunteer Sign-Up Information

I am delighted at the large amount of parents who signed up to volunteer in the art room. Below I address each volunteer level separately.

If you marked "Occasional, biweekly or monthly"
I am asking that you contact me directly through e-mail (Miriam.Cutelis@yahoo.com) to set up a time or a schedule. That way I can place you on my calendar. Please contact me the week before you want to come. Also, I will be posting specific class wide assignments I will be needing help with on the blog and if you check often you can sign up for those as well.

If you marked "weekly" on the volunteer form
I will need to meet with you personally before you start helping in the class. Unfortunately, DCPS has a volunteer application form and a process that requires a TB test, and a photo ID. I can give you those forms when we meet. If I have not scared you away yet, contact me though e-mail (see above) and we can get the ball rolling.