Plaster Masks

Recently 5th grade artists created plaster masks, which took us several weeks. The process involved designing their mask, creating the mask form out of plaster strips, painting their mask and writing an artist statement to accompany their mask on display. 

Left to right: Pixabay, “mask” CC by cisc1970 via Flickr, Pixabay

We began by discussing masks, why we wear masks, and learning about masks around the world. Students connected masks to Halloween, as well as masquerade parties and even sports. We talked about how masks can help you hide your identity, or assume a different one. They can also help protect your face, or just be worn for fun. We learned that masks have a long history and have been created, used, and worn by cultures all over the world. They are also made from a variety of different materials. 

For example, in ancient Egypt, masks were used to dress the faces of the dead. Royal death masks were made of gold and bronze and meant to look like the person. In Japan, samurai masks were designed to instill fear in opponents, as well as protect the wearer. They were often made of iron and leather. In Italy, during the Carnival Festival in Venice, elaborate masks are worn to provide mystery. And in West Africa, masks are used in religious ceremonies to communicate with spirits and ancestors. Many are made with wood, ivory or clay. 

After learning about masks, students sketched out design ideas for their own plaster mask. Many students were inspired by popular culture, super heroes, symbols, and sports. We also cut plaster strips to prepare for mask making. 

Mask making was done in two sessions, with half the class making their mask one week, and half the class making their mask the following week. Students also worked in pairs to help a partner complete their mask within our 40 minute art class. To make their plaster mask, students began with a plastic mask form that was covered with Vaseline, so that their finished mask would slip off easily when dry. Students dipped pieces of dry plaster in water, then placed them on their plastic mask form and smoothed them with wet fingers to make the plaster come out and cover the holes. 

Students made sure to overlap their strips and could choose whether to leave the eye holes open or closed, as well as the mouth. This depended on their design. Students also made sure to smooth the plaster pieces together to make the top layer the smoothest surface on which to paint. After three layers of plaster, the masks were left to dry. 

After our plaster mask making sessions, students got their dry mask back and were ready to paint! We used acrylic paint (instead of tempera paint, which we usually use) so that they paint would stay on and not flake off the mask later. Students noticed that the acrylic paint dried quickly. 

Students spent two to three classes painting their masks, considering how to paint their design in layers so that they could add details on top. Depending on the design, some students had to paint their mask all one color, or two colors, before adding details on top. Other students began with the white base of the mask and painted details directly on top. 

On our last mask making class, student added extra details using a variety of different materials. Some students added ears to their animal mask, or feathers to a masquerade inspired mask. The following class we worked on artist statements for our masks. An artist statement is a written explanation of an artist's work. You can tell the viewer about the motivation and inspiration behind your design, how you made your work, and any additional information you want the viewer to know. Students typed up their artist statements so they could be accompany their mask on display. Below are some examples of our plaster masks on display!

Mrs. Bellis's Class

Ms. Domermuth & Ms. Fantasia's Class

Mrs. Psychoghios's Class

Mr. Twomey's Class

Thank You for Coming to the Art Show Reception!

Thank you to all the students, families and staff that came to the Art Show reception last night! We had a great turn out and it was so great to see everyone there enjoying the artwork and supporting our artists! Artwork will be on display at the Watertown Mall, until Thursday, April 11, so go check it out if you haven’t yet.

2019 Watertown Public Schools Art Show

Mark your calendars! Our annual Watertown Public Schools PK-12 Art Show is happening from March 27th - April 11th at the Watertown Mall (near Target). Letters for students whose artwork will be on display will go out the 3rd week of March. 

We will be celebrating the hard work of all of our artists at a public reception for the exhibition on Monday, April 1 from 5-7 pm. There will be refreshments and a photo booth! Please join us! 

Many thanks to the Watertown Mall for hosting our annual art show.

Radial Symmetry Name Designs

To start off the year, 5th grade artists created designs using their name! To begin, we learned about radial symmetry, which is symmetry around a central point. We actually learned about this concept in 3rd grade when we made our color wheel snowflakes. 

Next, students folded a square piece of paper into triangles before creating a name design, stretching their letters to fit the triangular shaped space. Some students used block or bubble letters and other students wrote their name using lines. The most important part was making the letters stretch to touch the edges of the triangle, since that helps the letters connect together as they are repeated. 

Students then traced over their design with a Sharpie marker and by flipping parts of the paper over each other, were able to trace their original design to repeat it in all the remaining triangles. The large windows in the connector hallway acted as a giant light box! 

After they completed this step, students unfolded their paper to see their radially symmetrical name design repeated all the way around. Students then added color to their design using colored pencil. 

Students used a technique called gradation, which is the visual technique of gradually transitioning from one color to another. Blending is key to this technique. Students also learned about analogous colors, which are three colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. 

Students utilized analogous colors when using gradation to better demonstrate the transition between colors. They also worked hard to cover all of the paper and apply even pressure to their colored pencils to get bright, bold colors. Some examples of our finished radial symmetry name designs are below -- can you see the name of each artist in their design?

Ben S., 5th Grade (Bellis)

Ben T., 5th Grade (Bellis)

Destanie, 5th Grade (Twomey)

Emily, 5th Grade (Twomey)

Evan, 5th Grade (Bellis)

Evey, 5th Grade (Psychoghios)

Gavin, 5th Grade (Twomey)

Holly, 5th Grade (Domermuth Fantasia)

Isaac, 5th Grade (Psychoghios)

Kiera, 5th Grade (Psychoghios)

Kingston, 5th Grade (Domermuth Fantasia)

Lenna, 5th Grade (Bellis)

Mackenzie, 5th Grade (Psychoghios)

Marina, 5th Grade (Psychoghios)

Mia C., 5th Grade (Twomey)

Michael, 5th Grade (Domermuth Fantasia)

Pamela, 5th Grade (Domermuth Fantasia)

Pavlos, 5th Grade (Domermuth Fantasia)

Tatiana, 5th Grade (Psychoghios)