Beacon Heights Elementary School in the Salt Lake City School District has a giant open area atrium right in the front foyer. Many years ago the students at Beacon Heights constructed a huge hanging mobile to fill the space and welcome visitors to their school Well that was then . . . and this is now and there’s a new installation in town! Each student at Beacon Heights studied a different type of bird and created pieces of art depicting that bird. These birds became part of the new exhibit in the foyer of Beacon Heights. You might say this art piece is “for the birds!”
Laurie Shea, BTSALP Visual Art Specialist at Beacon Heights was responsible for the project which included beaded and feathered whimsical birds, robotic birds and realistic looking birds of prey.
Just bringing you an update from one of our BTSALP long term projects! This project is “in the works” so keep checking back to see the progress.
Laurie Shea, BTSALP Visual Art specialist, is working on a large scale, permanent installation for the open foyer at Beacon Heights Elementary in Salt Lake City. She started with the sixth grade and the paper mache Birds of Prey. She is now working with the lower grades. Each grade level is creating a different type of bird that will be hanging as part of the installation.
Kindergarten students used Styrofoam balls, pom poms, beads, feathers and glue (Of course they did, it’s SO Kindergarten!) to make whimsical birds that will hang in groups.
First graders used air dry clay and feather to create hummingbirds for the installation.
Second graders are constructing Common Yard Birds of Utah. They had 6 choices: Magpie, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Stellar Jay, Red-headed Woodpecker or a Western Tanger. These are made with thin craft foam and painted details. When they are assembled they have a 3D appearance. Look closely, that’s Laurie holding an assembled Cardinal.
Third grade is also working on Common Yard Birds but their projects are smaller Common Yard Birds such as Finches, Blue Birds and Chickadees.
Wild, Wacky, whimsical Wetland Birds are the fourth grade’s contribution. The birds start with empty water bottles and details and paint are added as the birds develop. Laurie again, on the left, measuring wing construction from a section of a cardboard box that will be added to the painted body.
Sixth grade Bird of Prey just hanging around waiting for his wings! The fifth grade’s Robot-Doodle-Bot Quails are still in the “incubation stage.” Stay tuned!
Laurie Shea, BTSALP Visual Art Specialist at Beacon Heights Elementary started the school year off with a fun, informative project on Utah Birds of Prey. She had the sixth grade students research different birds of prey. They drew the birds highlighting the different shapes found on the birds. Then it was time to blow up the balloons and construct the birds using newspaper and paper mache.
Great collaboration between preservice teachers, Dayna Morris and Christy Edgel from the Integrated Curriculum class at the University of Utah, BTSALP and Beacon Heights. Extra hands ALWAYS come in handy!
Art Nights, Musical Performances, Theater Productions are what make Springtime in BTSALP schools the best time of the school year! Join the celebration by reading our current newsletter.
North Elementary in Iron County, a STEM Partner school with Southern Utah University, held their STEAM Night highlighting Math and Science integration. BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist: Lori Wrankle.
Lomond View Elementary, Weber School District, BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist: Mendy Reese
North Ogden Elementary, Weber School District, BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist: Alisa Webb
Ogden School District Elementary Arts Festival
Artwork from James Madison and Horace Mann, BTSALP Visual
Arts Specialist: Brent Rhodes and Lincoln, Polk, and Hillcrest,
BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist: Stephanie Jaden
Hooper Elementary, Weber School District, BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist: Alisa Webb
Springtime in BTSALP Schools = Art Nights, Musical Performances, Theater Productions
With the end of the school year approaching, everyone wants to “show off.” Celebrate the arts with BTSALP schools from around the state in our latest newsletter. Click here to read all about it.
