A Week of Giving Thanks

I'm Thankful for . . .

This week's photos come from Explorations in Art (1st through 3rd), where we spent our class time making Ex Votos. We learned about the importance of Ex Votos in Mexican culture, and talked about how we could make our own versions to share with our families over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The criteria for our Ex Votos was . . .

#1: Think of something you're truly thankful for, something that means a lot to you.

#2: Draw a detailed picture to illustrate what you decided on. Pretend that the person who sees your Ex Voto can't read your language. Make sure the picture tells the story.

#3: It has to be something real (not imaginary or made up), because this is a serious piece of art, and something special that you'll share with your family.

#4: When your drawing is complete, find a place in the artwork where you can fit in your "thanks" sentence or paragraph.

#5: Color in your picture, and then be sure to put your name and the current date on your Ex Voto. This is important because, traditionally, an Ex Voto marks an important moment or event in a person's life, and the Ex Voto is an illustrated and written record of that time.

#6: Share your Ex Voto with your family!

This is also a fun activity for the entire family! I intend to have plenty of paper, pencils, and crayons available to my Thanksgiving dinner guests!

Among other things, I'm thankful to work with so many talented and creative young artists. I appreciate the thought and work that goes into each work of art, and the time that students spend at home looking up web challenges and finishing the works that they start in class. There's so much to learn, we couldn't possibly cover it all in our short class time! As a measure of my thanks, art students will have the opportunity to win several ATCs (up to four) when they return from Thanksgiving break! 

Here's how:

1. Find out what a "carte-de-visite" is,* and then tell me how it relates to an Artist's Trading Card (ATC). If you can answer this, you'll get one ATC.
2. Draw a picture to illustrate how you spent your Thanksgiving holiday. Be sure to put in lots of details. Somewhere on your drawing, tell me what you are thankful for (this should be illustrated in your artwork). Don't forget to sign your name, and write the date! Show me this (you can take it back home, since this would be an important piece of art!), and you'll get one ATC.
3. Create your own ATC, and bring it to me to trade. You can choose from any ATC that I have (already made) in my possession, earning you one ATC. Be sure to check the proper dimensions for an ATC before you begin! 
4. Create a tondo, doing your best work. Be sure to color it in! Bring me your tondo, and I'll give you one ATC.

*Remember: Anytime you're doing an online search, your parent or other responsible adult must be present. No exceptions!

Whoever has the most assignment-related ATCs by the end of the semester will win a REALLY COOL PRIZE. A 2nd place prize will also be awarded. There will be a first and second prize for each school day, so get busy!  

And remember to bring the above assignments to class the first week following Thanksgiving break!!!!