A Place Called Home

See how students featured their hometown in this mixed media art lesson inspired by Aminah Robinson.  Using burlap, paint, clay, and stitching, students show you what's it's like to grow up in Hilliard, OH.

We learned that Aminah Robinson made works of art called "RagGonNons".  She made up that term to describe how they go on and on being added to.  Her work is filled with buttons, stitches, paint and other found objects sewn together, such as neckties and shells.  Her work tells stories of black history and of her own family and community.  She was a Columbus treasure who passed away recently. Her work can be viewed at the Columbus Museum of Art.  

Students were challenged to come up with an image that shows what it's like to grow up in their own hometown.  

The Process:

1) Students made sketchbook drawings from the essential question, "What's it like to grow up in your hometown?"

2) Students drew their favorite drawing on burlap using a Sharpie marker.  (Yes this is hard on the markers, so use up your older markers).  

3) Students made clay faces or bodies out of clay.  They needed to think about how they would attach the clay to the burlap.

4)  Students added color using tempera cakes.  They were encouraged to mix colors on the burlap and use lots of white to lighten up the colors.

5)  After painting the pieces of clay with the tempera, students went to work sewing and adding on beads and other found (or made) objects.

This project did take a chunk of time, but the results were worth it!  Students could tell you about their work and how it represents a meaningful part of growing up 

Here are some more great blog posts you might enjoy!

Metal Tooling Using Visual Texture, by Glitter Meets Glue

Bird Sculptures Using Tactile Texture, by Art is Basic

Dyed and Stamped Pillows, by Masterpiece Momma

Relief Printmaking and Colored Pencil, by Look Between the Lines

Zen Doodle Pinch Pots, by Ms Artastic

Henna Hands Art Lesson, by Picassa's Palette

Past and Future Hands, by A Space to Create Art

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