Project Description

Students will work collaboratively to add vibrant color and story to panels of soft silk fabric in this residency perfect for artists of all ages.

The murals tell a story with the students’ own art images as they express their classroom’s collectively chosen theme. All students are involved in the 4 Steps of Silk Painting, which include 1) choosing a theme and drawing ideas with chalk on brown paper the size of the mural; 2) stretching the silk on frames and squeeze-drawing with water-based resist on the silk; 3) hand-painting their art with liquid silk dyes and paintbrushes; and 4) learning about value principles of contrast in colors to continue painting the background. The project is completed in 4 one hour sessions with the artist.

Working together on the silk murals is a fun and exciting learning experience. It gives the students the opportunity to do their own art work AND share ideas, build upon each other’s ideas, and co-operate to create an amazing, colorific final product to be proud of. Researching places, land-forms, plants and animals to depict within the murals is a learning opportunity for each classroom to explore on their own.

Final Product
Classrooms have the choice to work on and finish one of the following:

A) one classroom can create 2 ten foot long by 27″ wide murals with up to 15 students working together on each frame.

B) one classroom can create 4 six foot long by 27″ wide mural with up to 8 students working together on each frame.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will explore the use of ideas, art techniques, and problem-solving in the creative process.
  • Students will create and present a finished work of art that demonstrates ideas using learned art elements and organizational skills.
  • Students define the criteria of a design problem using relevant scientific knowledge of how things look by their specific characteristics using geology, zoology, and botany.
  • Students are given time to engage with each other in respectful discussion of issues, events and ideas used to create their mural story.
  • Students have the opportunity to measure or estimate smaller areas to be used within the large overall format of the mural in standard units.

Suggested Grades

  • Appropriate for all grade levels

Pricing Breakdown

  • The project is completed in 4 one hour sessions with the artist.
  • Prep hours: 4 hrs per classroom
  • Materials: $3.00 per student.
  • Travel from South Eugene

*this residency can be offered to a maximum of four classrooms per day*

**4j schools choosing this residency through the ArtSpark program will be required to pay a portion of the prep fees**

Merideth met with the Art Committee before her residency and she was very prepared. She came with a schedule to work off of and came and prepared her space before the residency, which was great.” — Spring Creek Elementary

Why I teach art to students:

Their enthusiasm! I love colors, and it’s so exciting to see the young artists use their paintbrushes with all the colors boldly. Kids have a fresh zest and are not afraid to try new things. The words “I can’t” are not in the way of their creating art and painting.   Merideth Ferrell

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