Artists-in-Residence Site:  Cleveland Elementary School

919 Northern Avenue/124 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls (Con. Dist. 7)

Student ceramic mask and artist statement on display.

Collaborating Teacher: Barb Gutzmer

Teaching Artist: Laura Youngbird

Art form: Mask-making

Project Overview

Students identified a variety of emotions and how color and texture can help express feelings. They created ceramic masks, wrote a short artist statement and presented their work in an exhibit. Students were instructed how to use the tools and materials to sculpt masks from clay and how to glaze them. They wrote statements discussing the process, the emotions and use of color.  They presented their work in an art show at the school on May 29.

Project Highlights

“The students were very pleased with their work and proud to exhibit and share it with students and staff at their school.” – Laura Youngbird, Artist

“Students had to share materials and explain verbally to others their project. They also created artist statements to explain their completed mask. Students who are normally quiet were excited in sharing their work.” – Barb Gutzmer, Teacher.

This program has been made possible in part by the Department of VSA and Accessibility at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Minnesota Department of Education and support funds from residency sites.