7th Grade Begins Process Exploration of White Board Animation

Students were shown white board animation demonstrations and examples. Through story boarding and sketching, students began developing an animation short and the characters they would use. Using cartooning techniques, students transformed stick figures into angels, devils, mini-muscle boy, multiple versions of Alfie, and generally emotive and interesting characters. Using white boards as animation canvas, students take stop-motion photos of each scene segment, later these photos will be animated to sound using imovie.

6th Grade Optical Illusion Investigations and Depot Mural Project

6th Graders were introduced to varying techniques of drawing optical illusions. Some involve manipulation of space, the creation of dual images into one and others create a sense of motion in a static image. Students consulted the depot wall space outside the Art Studio large wooden doors and to the right. Once the students reflected on this site visit, original ideas to create an illusion that appeared in motion were changed to manipulated the space into a one point perspective illusion involving a tunnel. Due to the Depot's heritage as a railroad depot, the tunnel was quickly established to be a railroad tunnel.

2011 Art Show Preparations and the Completion of the Self-Portrait Diorama

Students in the 6th-7th grades worked in the first weeks of March to complete their final efforts on their Diorama project. Artist statements detailing the students relationship to their diorama scene acted as a conduit giving the viewer insight to the connection between the artist and their work.

Doodle 4 Google Final Touches

Students in the 6th-8th grade challenged themselves to adapt the Google logo into their own interpretation of their goals for their future. As students developed their graphic designs, and wrote their artist statements many students found that their own life goals involved global goals for peace, environmental health, and general assistance to those in need.

Winner of the Fifth Annual Artist Trading Card Contest Announced!

8th Grader Hannah Feiner's Artist Trading Card "Quickfire," has been chosen as a winner

in the SchoolArts magazine's 5th annual Artist Trading Card Contest.

Her trading card stood out among hundreds of entries, and impressed the judges with her level of artistry.

Hannah's card will be published in the April 2011 issue of SchoolArts, it will be on display at the 2011 National Art Education Association Conference in Seattle, Washington, and Hannah will also receive a tote full of art supplies. Benicia Hill the Middle School Art Educator will receive $100 gift certificate for art resources at TBS.

Congratulations Hannah!

A special congratulations to all contest applicants for your hard work and courage displayed by entering a national competition. Good Job Middle Schoolers!

Hannah Feiner's Winning Card is in the first two images of the following slide show of this years contestants for The Berkeley School