Middle School Art Projects Beautify Campus

Come see the ceiling of the Art Room in Northbrook, and be inspired by famous artworks by Da Vinci, Matisse, Van Gogh, Monet, Warhol, Jones, Pollock, Kandinski, Munch and Klee.

Middle School Art students, guided by their Art Teacher, Lilach Schrag, had so much fun undertaking this group project to beautify the school. Each group chose a work of art and sized it to fit a ceiling tile. The tiles were taken down and placed on tables, where the students used commercial wall paints to replicate the original paintings.

Everybody who steps into the Art Room is surprised and impressed by the beautiful ceiling. Students who participated in this project show their work to their friends and families with pride, and the ceiling is showcased to visitors to the Northbrook building.

For Yom Ha'Atzmaut, the Middle School will paint more ceiling tiles, this time in the Middle School Beit Knesset.

Each trimester, Mrs. Schrag and her Art students create a group project for the school. You have probably seen many of them, including the totem poles depicting Jewish symbols that beautify the north entrance to the school. The totem poles, which the students designed and painted on plywood, were made in 2003. On the south side of the school, facing Dundee Rd. stands Ilan's Tree, a kinetic statue with colorful wooden branches and a metal spaceship at the top, in memory of Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut who died in the 2003 Columbia disaster. Next time you're in the Northbrook building, look at the colorful stained-glass windows on the south wall of the Library that feature quotes from famous children's literature. Old chairs that were about to be recycled are currently being painted in Chagall's style, and will be used throughout the Middle School.

The ideas for these special projects come from different sources. For example, one of the Art students suggested painting the ceiling tiles, and Mrs. Schaffzin suggested painting in the Beit Knesset.

Over the past years, the Middle School art students, guided by Art Teacher Mrs. Schrag, have produced permanent group-works to beautify the school and its grounds. In addition to the three wooden "Jewish Totem Poles" at the north entrance to the building, students have made clay murals relating to Jerusalem and Tu Bishvat that are on display in the Middle School office.

"In the Spring of 2003, we installed a wood and metal tree sculpture at the southeast corner of the school," says Mrs. Schrag. "While we were working on the sculpture, the Columbia space shuttle exploded while returning from its mission. I decided to dedicate the tree in memory of the crew, especially Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut in space." A metal spaceship was added to the sculpture, which was named "Ilan's Tree." (Ilan means tree in Hebrew.)

"In the last trimester of this year, the students made tree-hanging sculptures that add color and interest to the trees surrounding the school building," Mrs. Schrag adds. "Making these sculptures helped students develop group-work skills, made them aware of the aesthetic aspects of their environment, and gives them pride when they see their work on display."

Look for the sculptures next time you come to school, and watch for more sculptures to appear next year. Click here to see them.

The purpose of this assignment is to get to know masters of art and works of art. The students exercised art criticism and evaluated the art.

Joanna, 7th grade

Claude Monet

Claude Monet was born on November 14th, 1840 in Paris, France. Monet grew up to be one of the world's most famous painters. Monet was an impressionist painter, and it was hard for him to make a descent income, although, as soon as the public began to understand impressionism, Monet earned solid income from the sales of his paintings. Many of his paintings were of landscapes, cathedrals, and there were also many of flower gardens. Some famous works by Monet were the many different paintings of the "Water Lilies" also "Le Pont in Giverny" "London Houses of Parliament" and many more.

One painting I really like is "The Artist's Garden at Giverny." It was created in 1900 and is now located at the Musee d'Orsay, in Paris. The painting is 15.5 by 14 inches. Monet used oil paints for this piece of artwork just like most of his others. The painting has very distinctive brush strokes with soft edges, the painting is very relaxed and soft looking.

I chose this painting because as soon as I saw it, the bright colors caught my eye. It is very beautiful and I love looking at it imagining that I am there, right in his Giverny garden. Most of Monet's paintings have a lot of color but this one is so vibrant and the brightness makes the flowers come to life.

Bessie, 6^th grade

Calder's Circus, One of Alexander's Best

Alexander Stirling Calder was born in Lawnton, Pennsylvania in 1898. Calder didn't have a main subject, his subjects were mostly circus series and metal shapes based on the solar system. Calderâs art movement was modern abstract sculpture. Abstract art is a piece of artwork that doesn't represent a realistic image. Some famous works by him are: The Flamingo, Calder's Circus, his mobiles, his stabiles, and his painted airplanes.

Calder's Circus is a wonderful sculpture that was created 1926-31. His technique for Calderâs Circus was made of wire, cloths, corks, and string. The size of the entire circus could fit on a tabletop. The location is Witney Museum of American Art, New York. A quote from Calder: "I always loved the circus . . . so I decided to make a circus just for the fun of it." Also: "It's a lot of work."

I chose this specific work because it fascinates me. I find it amazing how simple things such as wire, cloth, cork, and string can create a large complicated work of art. Also I adore circuses.

I chose this artist because I like him. Calder somehow brings peace over me. His mobiles are satisfying and the bright colors bring joy.

Maya, 7^th grade

Drawbridge with Carriage

Vincent Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 in Zundert, south of Nederland. Van Gogh powerfully influenced the expressionism in modern art. Van Gogh's work that was produced during a period of only 10 years shows through his color and brushwork, a mental illness that eventually resulted in suicide. One of his most famous paintings was The Red Vineyard it was the only painting he ever sold. The Red Vineyard is a very similar painting to the Drawbridge with Carriage.

Drawbridge with Carriage was created in March of 1888. During the time he was swirling his brush and using a lot of yellows, greens and blues. The size of the painting is 54 x 65 cm and it is located in Kroller Muller museum in Otterlo, Nederland. Vincent Van Gogh would go days without speaking to anyone but he did comment on one of his sunflower Canvases "I wanted all these different colors to express a totally restful feeling." I chose this painting because Van Gogh could make this boring scene of a bridge and women washing clothes look so beautiful and colorful.

Alyssa, 8^th grade

Art Class Independent Study Project

The artist I chose for this project is Edward Hopper. He was born in Nyack, New York, in 1882. Some main subjects favored by Edward Hopper were drawing building and houses. He also loved to paint and sketch sail boats. He didn't draw with anything to exciting. Edward liked to draw real, everyday things. He painted things that were familiar to people. He was a realist painter. Some famous works by Edward Hopper are: Self Portrait, Manhattan Bridge, Pennsylvania Coal Town, The Long Leg, Paris Street, Stairway at 48 rue de Lille, Paris, Sailing, Night in the Park, Night Shadows, House by the Railroad, Lighthouse Hill, New York Movie, Gas, New York Office, Hotel Room, Night Hawks, Early Sunday Morning, Second Story Sunlight, Manhattan Bridge Loop, Drawn In Pennsylvania, and Table for Ladies.

The piece of artwork I chose was Night Hawks. It was created in 1942. The technique used was oil on canvas. The size of the painting is 30 x 57 inches. It is located in The Art Institute of Chicago. A quote of Edward Hopper was, Òwhat I wanted to do was to paint sunlight on the side of a house

I chose this painting because I once saw it at a family members house. I remember seeing it and thinking that it was really interesting. When I found out who the artist of the painting was I wanted to write about him. I love the fact that he makes everyday things so interesting. The painting makes you think, what are the people doing out so late? Why is the restaurant so bright and the people look so unfriendly? Why is the picture so gloomy? It makes you dig deep into the painting. It makes you look past the exterior of the painting. That's what I like about Edward Hopper's paintings.

“Bond of Union”

By Brett, 7^th grade

Maurits Cornelis Escher, or M.C. Escher, created the artwork called “Bond of Union,” and is know for many more of his fine optical illusions, and other fine masterpieces. Born on June 17, 1898 in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, Escher began his schooling as an architect. However, his interests in graphic design exceeded that of architecture, and he soon switched careers. Working in lithograph, wood engraving, woodcut, tiling and other techniques, Escher used many principals of mathematics to create his marvelous works of art. Specifically for the “Bond of Union,” Escher used a technique called “lithograph.” Some other famous works by Escher are “waterfall,” “Belvedere,” and “Ascending and Descending.”

The “Bond of Union” is 10.0 in. by 13.3 in. and was created in 1956. There is no given information on where the “Bond of Union” is held. I chose the “Bond of Union” for this project because I think that it is a fantastic work of art. The way Escher showed the bonding between two people in this picture is brilliant. The picture truly reached out to me, and I am very fond of it.

Jessica, 6^th grade

Georgia O'Keeffe

The artist I chose was Georgia O'Keeffe. She was born on November 15^th, 1887 in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. She lived to be 98 years old. The main subjects that Georgia O'Keeffe liked to paint most were flowers, desert landscapes and animal skulls. She was part of the Modern art movement. She was one of the greatest flower painters ever. She picked flowers and studied them, and then painted them really big so people would notice them and see what she saw in the flowers. She lived in New York and people rushed everywhere and didn't have a chance to really look at the flowers. The way she painted them with bold colors and big size, made people stop and really look at them. In 1930, she moved to New Mexico. She fell in love with the desert and started painting the desert landscapes and animal skulls. Some of Georgia O'Keeffe's famous paintings are Cows Skull with Calico Roses (1931), Red Hills with White Flower (1937), Jimson Weed (1932 ) and White Camellia (1938).

The painting I chose is Horses Skull with Pink Rose. This was created in 1931 and is 40 x 30 inches. She used oil on canvas to paint it. It is now in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The idea for this painting came one day when she was looking through a box of skulls she had collected. While she was looking, her friend knocked at the door, and on her way to answer the door, she stuck a pink rose in the eye of the horse's skull she was looking at. When she came back, she liked what she saw and decided to paint it that way.

I chose Georgia O'Keeffe because when she paints, her flowers look so real. The colors she used in all of her paintings are so beautiful and stand out so much. I love looking at her artwork because it's very peaceful and alive, and I feel happy looking at it.

I chose Horses Skull with Pink Rose because it really caught my attention. I had never seen a skull and flower together in a painting before and it is very different from anything I've ever seen. I thought it was really interesting.

Joshua, 6^th grade

Albert Bierstadt

Albert Bierstadt was born in 1830 in Solingen, Germany. At the age of two, he migrated to New Bedford, Mass. He enjoyed reading and learning. Albert was successful in teaching monochromic painting, a painting having or appearing to have only one color. He also enjoyed painting nature, wildlife and many landscapes. Bierstadt's work often gives a felling of majesty that many have said borders the drive.

Albert Bierstadt created in 1860s, Grander in the Rockies. He used oil paint on canvas. The painting is approx. 83in 142.24in. It is a very popular landscape available in reprints and postcards. The critics also loved the painting and he and the painting became very famous.

I really like how it is so detailed and shows exactly what is happening. When I look at the picture, I relax, and just gaze at the panoramic view. The picture also interests me because of the wonderful colors he used and in the play of light. I also like the small detail that you have to look at closely to see. Lastly, I like the realistic appearance of the trees, grass, clouds, and mountains.

Jamie, 6^th grade

Leonardo da Vinci

On April 15, 1452 a charming young boy was born in a small town of Vinci, near Florence Italy. This talented young boys name was Leonardo da Vinci. In Florence Italy, there was an outstanding art center. Leonardo da Vinci attended this art center to learn more about fine arts. Leonardo da Vinci also loved composing music and being a musician. When he was 14 years old (1466) Leonardo da Vinci worked for Andrea del (a famous artist in those times) in an art studio as a studio boy. While being a studio boy he learned how to paint pieces, and create large pictures in mobile or bronze. In 1478 when Leonardo was about 26 years old, Leonardo started creating paintings by himself. Leonardo da Vinci painted many world known pieces of art. He drew the picture Mono Lisa which is one of his most famous paintings. Another one of Leonardo's famous paintings was called The Last Supper.

The one art movement that Leonardo da Vinci was found of was called 'The Italian Resistance'. Leonardo started constructing one sculpture called II Cavallo in 1499. He made this sculpture out of bronze. This sculpture of a horse was going to be 24 feet. Leonardo tried making this sculpture for Francesco Sforza, who was the father of Ludovico, which was in the courtyard in Castello Sforzesco. Unfortunately, Leonardo did not finish this piece because the Sforza family was driven out of Milen, (the place were he was building it) by the French war. The French destroyed Leonardo's piece and used it as a target. Before Leonardo died he said he was very disappointed that he wouldn't be able to finish his beloved sculpture.

Five hundred years later after Leonardo died Nina Akamu and her team members helped build the rest of the sculpture. On September 10, 1999, Nina and her team members installed the horse in Milian, Italy. This horse was a gift from American friends to the citizens of Italy. Leonardo da Vinci has done many other famous art pieces.

I chose Leonardo da Vinci's sculpture because I love animals. The sculpture of II Cavallo was a horse. I found a replica of this outside of P.F. Chang's in Deerfield. When I learned this sculpture was designed by Leonardo da Vinci, I decided it would be a wonderful way to learn more about this artist's life. I hope to go to the Art Institute and view more of his pieces.

Rena, 6^th grade

Croquet Scene

By: Winslow Homer

My artist's full name is Winslow Homer. He was born in 1836, and died in 1910. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Homer, specializes in American landscaping, the sea, the fisherman, and the fishermen's families. Homer is an American landscape artist. Something very interesting about Homer is that he taught himself how to paint. Some famous painting that Homer has painted are, Croquet Scene, The Frightening Gulf Stream, Key West, Hauling Anchor, Breaking Storm, Main Coast, The Hurricane, The Gulf Stream, Moonlight, Wood's Island Light, and Eight Bells. The painting that I chose is called Croquet Scene. It was created in 1866, and the technique that Homer used to paint this was oil on canvas. I couldn't find a quote that Homer used to describe the painting.

I chose this painting, because I was looking through a book called Master Paintings in the Art Institute of Chicago, and I found this painting. I looked at it for a while, and thought that it was very interesting. I noticed that it is very well painted, and it almost looks real. You can see so many details, and you can tell that it is very warm out, and the sun is out. I chose this Winslow Homer as the artist, because I have heard a lot about him, and I chose this painting without really paying a lot of attention to who painted it, and just by coincidence, Winslow Homer painted it!

Stanley, 7^th grade

Van Gogh - The Bedroom

I chose The Bedroom by Vincent Van Gogh because the first time I saw it the painting caught my attention right away. I was at my mothers printing company one day. It just so happens that they do printing for the Art Institute of Chicago, and they printed a poster of this painting. I was walking through her office and I saw the painting out of the corner of my eye. I was attracted by the bright vibrant colors right away. To me the painting was beautiful.

The artist of the painting's full name is Vincent Willem Van Gogh. He was born on March 30, 1853 in Groot Zundert in the Dutch Brabant near the Belgian border and died on July 27, 1890 at the age of 37. He didn't really have a favored subject to paint but he usually painted portraits or still lives. Van Gogh started painting as a realist and then gradually became an impressionist. One of his other famous works is called Starry Starry Night.

There are actually three different versions of The Bedroom. One was painted in October of 1888 and the others were painted in September of 1889. Van Gogh used oil paints on a canvas to paint the picture. All of the colors are complimentary and they were all applied roughly to the canvas. He was living in Arles, France when he painted the picture. The version of the painting that was painted in 1888 is 72x90 centimeters or 28x35 inches. When Van Gogh made the painting he said, "it's just simply my bedroom." The paintings of The Bedroom are located in Paris and at The Art Institute of Chicago. I suggest you check it out!