This past semesters Art Foundations 1 students worked on their understanding and application of the Principle of Design: Contrast. Students were assessed on their ability to use contrast to create depth, use of details, and texture to develop their use of foreground, middle-ground, and background. This is a quite a nice collection of students’ works.
Hello all! My time at North High has ended. I finished my last week next week and pass the baton to Cooper Diers.
I had such an amazing time and loved engaging with students learning about their multiple creative individual expressions. There are a few projects that are continuing into the second semester. However, for now here are the last pieces that I worked on with students and that I finished myself. Thank you to all of the staff and teachers for their interest and connections and I look forward to seeing you all again.
This is a winter mural project that the students and staff helped to create which is now hanging in the basement hallway. Please take a look at the mural. They worked on it in 3 stages: drawing, painting, collage. This last step of 3-D materials are to reference, snow and wind blowing, ice over a beautiful expressive landscape. It is 5 feet by 24 feet. The students moved their bodies, laughed, focused together and shared a collective creative experience. They seem very proud of their work so don’t be shy stopping into Beth’s room to respond to their mural and just say a quick hello! I’m sure it would mean a lot.
Below are some of the ceramic pieces that I had finished my last day at school. They were originally created thinking about water and the seas however after glazing them and putting them into the firey kiln…they appear much more rock like and less fluid. I made 28 of these small ceramic pieces sized 2.5″x 2.5″x 1.5″. Below are just a few of the finished ones. 
There are larger wall hangings that were finished at this time shown below. These are all being added to my ceramic painting cache.
My exhibition of 16 of 48 wooden paintings was great. I loved making them and working with the scrap wood, the teachers and the students that assisted. Here is an image of the show:
Thank you for letting me walk the halls and connect with you. You work so hard to make this the amazing and inspiring place I found North High School to be. Hope 2nd semester goes well for all.
Lastly, thank you to Frank Juarez for all you do.
Erica Jane Huntzinger www.ericahuntzinger.com
Sheboygan North High Artist in Residence, Erica Huntzinger talks about her work. This body of work was created during her residency at NHS. There will be a total of 48 “wood paintings” in this body of work.
To listen to her artist talk fast forward to 10:45.
Running time: 14:46
Link: http://www.schoolartsdigital.com/i/759195-january-2017
Sometimes we need to decompress.
Scrap wood cut by students in the wood shop in the basement.
Updates: 1.Still waiting to hear about the elevator project, whether it can go forth and just how. (crossing fingers) 2. Pen Pal Postcard Project is just about ready for lift off…
While experimenting and playing with different materials, I found an old wooden box I used with clay to make clay paintings with. I put objects in the bottom of the boxes, pressed clay into it and up the sides. When dry enough, I could pop the leather hard clay pieces out of the box form and have this clay impressed work. Here are 2 examples of ones I created here.
It occurred to me that these pieces might be a wonderful individual project to work on with students of any ability. So I decided to build more boxes so I can have more than 2 students work at a time. I asked the woodshop that creates bed frames if I could use their scrap wood and if they were able to cut pieces for me. They agreed and I was able to construct 4 boxes.
While gluing them together I found I had extra scrap pieces I could play with to construct another box like format wall hanging piece. So I thought about composition and form, reflecting on my own work, the state of the country in its anxieties on election day, and the artist Louis Nevelson. I’d like to explore this more.
… here are the first 4 pieces I created:
Now I have to make more boxes for students to use.
I did ask 2 students to start the project with me. I asked them to choose objects that had symbolic meaning to them or they responded to. I then asked them to place them in the bottom of the boxed container and press clay over the top of them and up the sides. It took about 20-30 minutes to complete all the while talking and sharing ideas. This project can be amended for students who may not want to get their hands dirty or we can amend the length of time.
here are some images of their work below:
Here are the impressions made and the objects used for the project by one of the students. She came in this morning to see how the piece turned out. Next step, let dry thoroughly, bake in the kiln, glaze with color and hang for the show in January.
I hope to include at least 15-20 more students, so if you have any ideas or would like to share this idea in hopes that they may come find me to also create one, please do.
I’m here Tuesdays all day and Thursday mornings.
Be well and follow your heart.
Erica Huntzinger, AIR (Artist In Residence)
It has been really wonderful being a part of the Sheboygan North High School culture. Everyone has been very kind, curious and interested in making connections, that includes students as well as staff. It’s a great group. It’s your Friday today as tomorrow you have a break to catch up and breathe. Here is a snippet of some of the projects I’m currently engaged in.
While here I have been experimenting with materials and work to develop different visions of my artwork. Here are some examples of the work I’ve been creating ……..all WIP
those shapes drawn in chalk on the boards are desk tops students use, that were being refurbished. I traced it as I responded to the size, shape and its intended use.
printmaking and painting experiments in design, shape and burgeoning ideas
Working in clay provides another avenue of material for me to create paintings
4. I’ve been going to The Art Club Tuesday afternoons and working alongside the students. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Thanks Frank!
More updates soon.
Have a wonderful extended weekend. Erica Huntzinger, AIR
Today, Golden rep Sandy Bacon visited the North High art department to introduce my Drawing Intensive students to a variety of Golden paints and medium. It was neat to see them experiment.
A huge thanks to Cindy Seibold-Hoeper of Lakeshore Art Supplies for making this possible.
nhsartdept.com 