Here we go, it's getting closer. The first thing to put into place is getting some advertising made, sent home, and posted around the school. Enlist one grade level to do this. I used first grade, I think, because it made for a wicked cute product. I can't seem to find a photo of this, unfortunately. Just throw together a one day lesson on graphic design. Show them a poorly designed and well designed version of the same information, talk about what makes one work better than the other - basically, which one gets your attention and gives you the info that you need to know without confusion - and set them loose. I made a packet of all the stuff that needed to go on the fliers and they cut and pasted. Have a section of the packet with several options for school name (different typefaces, slightly different sizes), date, time, location within the school, blurbs about special attractions like raffles or performances, and any other things you need, and they can choose which option and where to place it on the page. They'll love it and they will be super cute. They can then take black sharpies and do some illustrations or add graphic elements like arrows if they want to. I would make a plastic sheet that had a disclaimer at the bottom ("made by Mrs Smith's first grade artists") and photocopy 5 or so of each kid's design with that overlaid, so no one would think I had completely lost my marbles. Depending on your school, you might want to add a thing at the top that says "***first notice***" and later, "***second notice***" so that no one can accuse you of NOT sending notices in enough time (when in actuality it's the kid's messy backpack, of course). I learned this from my wise, wise music teacher friend who was burned by this one too many times. Next, show signage. I had 3rd and 4th do this, I think? Maybe 2nd, depending on the group? If they haven't already learned block lettering, this is a perfect opportunity. You can see that I handed out a list of needed signs to each group to make sure I got the ones I needed, and that they were spelled correctly. They can go nuts with zentangly designs if there's time, but don't have them add color. That's for K-1 to do later. Also have them do general show signage. Don't forget that you will want signs to hang above/near the 2D panels, plus some general directional stuff if your school is big (6th grade this way, etc), plus signage for your 3D area. At some point, maybe T-2 or T-1 til art show, have kinders and maybe firsties (hell, anyone, really) do some coloring of these signs. You need a bit of a mental break at this point. They can also mat them on colored paper if you want to really look like you've got it all together. On THE BIG DAY, not before, have your 5th and 6th graders help you with the installation. Bring everything down to wherever you are going to have the bulk of the show, show them what to do, maybe make some teams or some specific jobs, and get it done. I could usually get the majority of the show hung in that 40 minute period with all those helpers, and that age is dying to stay after school and help more if it's not finished by then. Depending on the wall composition, you can use tacks, staples, or double stick tape, though check with the custodians first :(. Duck tape works in a pinch, but you can't really rely on it for long. You'll also need spare masking tape, spare labels and pens/sharpies, a few stepstools, and some deep breathing. Hopefully, if you have cinderblock walls, your 6 months ago self thought to request cork strips to be installed 6 or 7 feet above floor height all along the art show hallway. Get in your time machine and make that happen! Somehow I don't have the original photos, so these are stolen from my old classroom instagram. Hopefully you can get some sort of afterschool crew and/or a few helpful parents. Also a nice opportunity for community service for the high schoolers!
One final (I think) post with other art show goodies to come!
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About MeI have 9 years of art teaching experience in grades K-12. I recently finished an MA in Art Ed at AOEU. This blog is a collection of thoughts and resources for art teachers. Archives
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