The Donald McKay Virtual Gallery: April 2016

7th Grade Abstract Artwork

One of the most exciting visual arts units to witness this year has been 7th grade's foray into Abstract Expressionism and Contemporary Abstract Art. After utilizing Chromebooks to complete online image and artist research in class, 7th graders experimented with countless techniques in mark-making; etching; layering of colors and manipulation of materials; concepts in composition; organic vs geometric shape; and use of line to create movement and rhythm. I have been so awed by the infinite creativity and innovation of our 7th grade artists in this exploration. I hope that you enjoy these works of art as much as I have enjoyed watching the creative process behind them!

"Battle" by Katherine

"Internal Ocean" by José

"May 5th" by Patrick

by Julio

"Takeover" by Paola

by Kimberly

by Jada

"Unbound" - Collaborative piece by 7A

"Rain" by Michaela

Collaborative piece by 7B

"Alas" (Wings) by Imalay

"Where the Light Is" by Keyly

"Pandemonium" by Nick

"Dusk to Night" by Jonathon

"Color and Chaos" by Michaela

Patrick carving into layers of oil pastel

"Worms" - Piece in progress, by Patrick

Oil Pastel Drawing by Patrick

"Colors of Dawn" by Jonathon

8th Grade Collaborative Grid Paintings

8th Grade has just recently completed stunning collaborative grid paintings inspired by the ELA theme of community. Each 8th grade artist was given one piece of a broader image, which they painted individually, and contributed to a beautiful, large-scale collaborative piece. The finished works are incredibly impactful, and we look forward to displaying them in the school building! Each complete collaborative painting is approximately 44"x44".

5th Grade Mythical Creatures and Poetry

One of 5th grade's most exciting visual arts projects of the year has been their amazing mythical creature mixed media project in the style of Eric Carle! Students first learned about various mythologies and legends from different cultures and the mythical creatures that populate such tales. Our young artists then designed their own mythical creatures---complete with character traits, physical attributes, and habitat---and then constructed them as artworks through painting, texturing, and collage. Connecting these beautiful artworks to ELA themes, each student then wrote a poem about their mythical creature using figurative language and ELA strategies.

6th Grade Surrealist Collages

The McKay's 6th grade artists explored the Surrealist art movement through in-class online research, learning and modeling 21st century skills and technology to discover the works of Salvador Dali, Vladimir Kush, and other Surrealist artists. Our 6th graders then utilized their newfound knowledge of Surrealism to create Surrealist collages, combining magazine images to create fantastical symbolic compositions.