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News & Photos
Students Create Longest Continuous Art Print
McDonogh students in kindergarten through twelfth grade attempted to create Maryland's longest continuous art print on April 20. We're not sure if they actually hold the record now, but they were able to stamp images on 800 feet of material before the school day ended.
Organized by the art department, the project engaged art classes to develop nature-themed tiles. Students created their own recessed or raised mixed-media tiles using glue, string, rope, and other materials.
As the day progressed, the white sheet of Tyvek began bursting with colored prints. Turtles, butterflies, palm trees, horses, fish, spiders, owls, and flowers appeared.
Head of Visual Arts Oletha DeVane invited Lafayette College professor and internationally known printmaker Curlee Raven Holton to direct the project. Holton, in fact, was its inspiration. Holton, who runs the Experimental Printmaking Institute at Lafayette, had mentioned the college's 2,000-foot print project to DeVane. She was convinced that the McDonogh community would enjoy making the same kind of thing.
DeVane was right. Students of all ages enjoyed stepping on the 12” x 12” Styrofoam tiles to transfer the acrylic paint to the Tyvec. The original plan called for a landscape roller to transfer the images, but Holton realized early-on that students' weight would produce an even better print. He asked them to stand on their tiles and roll gently back and forth.
“It was awesome,” exclaimed first grader Owen P. “I painted the tile, stamped it, jumped on it and then it made a picture.”
The project came about as a celebration of fine arts, to draw attention to the excitement that arts can bring. It was the highlight of the school's annual Arts Week. (See more images in The Sun's photo gallery.)
Senior art students spent the day helping younger students add their images to the print. As the print grew longer, they moved the supplies. When the wind began kicking up, they rolled and repositioned the Tyvec. And, in the midst of all that paint, some kids became as colorful as the print.
Art student Alex R. got involved “because art is lots of fun. We have never done any huge art project that incorporated the entire school.”
Added another art student, junior Philippe A., “It is a lot of fun to print paper with all the different designs, colors and creativity. I like that it will be exhibited in the Horn Theater when completed.”
Even students not enrolled in art classes were drawn to the project. Senior Amy R. came out to place a tile because she thought it was a cool project and wanted to be involved. She also wanted to see her fellow classmates' artwork.
Overall, the students and faculty enjoyed themselves, even though the print didn't quite reach the art department's goal of 1,000 feet.
Said DeVane, “One of the beautiful things about this project is that it makes everyone aware of what they can achieve. They become committed to process and then enjoy the result of their hard work.”
McDonogh students in kindergarten through twelfth grade attempted to create Maryland's longest continuous art print on April 20. We're not sure if they actually hold the record now, but they were able to stamp images on 800 feet of material before the school day ended.
Organized by the art department, the project engaged art classes to develop nature-themed tiles. Students created their own recessed or raised mixed-media tiles using glue, string, rope, and other materials.
As the day progressed, the white sheet of Tyvek began bursting with colored prints. Turtles, butterflies, palm trees, horses, fish, spiders, owls, and flowers appeared.
Head of Visual Arts Oletha DeVane invited Lafayette College professor and internationally known printmaker Curlee Raven Holton to direct the project. Holton, in fact, was its inspiration. Holton, who runs the Experimental Printmaking Institute at Lafayette, had mentioned the college's 2,000-foot print project to DeVane. She was convinced that the McDonogh community would enjoy making the same kind of thing.
DeVane was right. Students of all ages enjoyed stepping on the 12” x 12” Styrofoam tiles to transfer the acrylic paint to the Tyvec. The original plan called for a landscape roller to transfer the images, but Holton realized early-on that students' weight would produce an even better print. He asked them to stand on their tiles and roll gently back and forth.
“It was awesome,” exclaimed first grader Owen P. “I painted the tile, stamped it, jumped on it and then it made a picture.”
The project came about as a celebration of fine arts, to draw attention to the excitement that arts can bring. It was the highlight of the school's annual Arts Week. (See more images in The Sun's photo gallery.)
Senior art students spent the day helping younger students add their images to the print. As the print grew longer, they moved the supplies. When the wind began kicking up, they rolled and repositioned the Tyvec. And, in the midst of all that paint, some kids became as colorful as the print.
Art student Alex R. got involved “because art is lots of fun. We have never done any huge art project that incorporated the entire school.”
Added another art student, junior Philippe A., “It is a lot of fun to print paper with all the different designs, colors and creativity. I like that it will be exhibited in the Horn Theater when completed.”
Even students not enrolled in art classes were drawn to the project. Senior Amy R. came out to place a tile because she thought it was a cool project and wanted to be involved. She also wanted to see her fellow classmates' artwork.
Overall, the students and faculty enjoyed themselves, even though the print didn't quite reach the art department's goal of 1,000 feet.
Said DeVane, “One of the beautiful things about this project is that it makes everyone aware of what they can achieve. They become committed to process and then enjoy the result of their hard work.”