Classroom Update from Art Teacher, Mrs. Dare

During this past week Kindergarten- Eighth grade students were able to work with guest artist Richard Wright.  Richard’s work in art is mostly in metal and copper.  He led our students in different creative activities to build a sculpture for our Butterfly Garden. The Middle School students drew the designs for the 6″x6″ copper butterflies and cut them out using snips.  Upper Elementary students cut butterflies and used chisels and mallets to add symmetrical design to the butterflies.  Lower Elementary also chiseled designs into the butterflies.  Kindergarten and some of the Lower Elementary students used glass beads to make a pattern and beaded a copper wire with an added twist that will connect the butterflies to the sculpture.  Richard Wright will be working with our students creations over the next couple months to connect the butterflies to the beaded strands and then ultimately to arched 1/2″ round rod.  We look forward to seeing our fountain shaped butterfly sculpture come to life in our garden this Spring.

Additional pictures and information  can be found on the DMPS flickr site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmps/sets/72157661911443673

plus the Des Moines Register Website:  http://dmreg.co/1WTLuWS

The Fine Arts Committee at Cowles is currently planning for the 2nd Annual Fine Arts Day that will be held in April.  If you would like to be a presenter that day we would like to hear from you.  We will be accepting proposals for presenters until February 19th.