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Personal Memory Linocut Printmaking

School:: Galaxy Middle School
Subject:: Art
Teacher:: Keri O'Connell
Students Impacted:: 60
Grade:: 6-8
Date:: August 7, 2024

Investors

Thank you to the following investors for funding this grant.

FUTURES Foundation - $900.00

Anonymous Family Foundation - $100.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 35

Impact Report: Personal Memory Linocut Printmaking

School: Galaxy Middle School
Teacher: Keri O'Connell
Grades: 7th–8th
Number of Students Impacted: Approximately 60+

Impact to My Classroom:

Thanks to your generous support, our "Personal Memory Linocut Printmaking" project at Galaxy Middle School was a tremendous success! Over 35 seventh- and eighth-grade students were able to experience the complete linocut printmaking process for the very first time.

Students explored personal memories through the powerful, hands-on medium of printmaking. They brainstormed, sketched, and refined their designs, transferred them onto linoleum blocks, and learned safe carving techniques using the new linoleum cutters and handles your funding provided. After carving, students applied ink using brayers and created multiple prints on high-quality printmaking paper.

This project allowed students to:

Connect Art to Personal Experiences: Each student's work reflected a meaningful memory, from family traditions to quiet moments in nature. This helped deepen their emotional connection to their artwork and develop their creative voice.
Build Technical Skills: Students learned fundamental printmaking skills like carving, inking, and printing, following best practices for craftsmanship and safety.
Engage in Reflection and Critique: Through artist statements and peer critiques, students learned to reflect thoughtfully on their work and articulate their artistic decisions.
Develop Problem-Solving Abilities: Students navigated challenges, such as adjusting designs when carvings didn’t go as planned, fostering resilience and creative problem-solving.

The high-quality materials purchased with this grant not only provided an immediate impact, but will continue to serve students for years to come. Students were excited and proud of their final prints.

Highlights:

Skill Growth: Students became proficient in using tools like brayers and carving tools, handling them with skill and care after direct instruction and practice.
Creative Expression: The emphasis on personal memory led to incredibly diverse and moving artwork, showcasing students’ individuality.
Sustainability: Brayers, linoleum cutters, and reusable tools will continue to benefit future classes, multiplying the impact of your donation.

Thank You:

Your investment made this opportunity possible. Because of you, students at Galaxy Middle School discovered a new way to express themselves, learned professional art techniques, and developed confidence in their creativity. Thank you for supporting arts education and helping to nurture the next generation of young artists!

Original Grant Overview

Goal

The purpose of this project is to introduce students to the art of linocut printmaking through the exploration of personal memories. This project will help students develop their artistic skills, foster creativity, and provide them with a new medium for self-expression. Linocut printmaking offers a unique hands-on experience that enhances students' understanding of both the technical and conceptual aspects of art. We need these materials to provide students with the tools necessary to create high-quality prints, ensuring they have a meaningful and enriching art education experience.

What will be done with my students

Students will learn the basics of linocut printmaking, including designing, carving, inking, and printing their own linocut blocks based on personal memories.
- **VA.68.S.2.1:** Organize the structural elements of art to achieve artistic goals when producing personal works of art.
- **VA.68.S.3.1:** Use two-dimensional or three-dimensional art materials and tools to understand the potential and limitations of each.
- **VA.68.C.2.1:** Assess personal artwork during production to determine areas of success and needed change for achieving self-directed or specified goals.
- **VA.68.F.3.2:** Analyze the procedural and divergent thinking skills developed in visual art to identify a purpose for the communication of art ideas.

Benefits to my students

Funding this project will provide students with access to high-quality linocut printmaking materials, enabling them to explore a new art form. The project will enhance their technical skills, improve their ability to express personal narratives through art, and deepen their appreciation for printmaking. Additionally, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they navigate the various stages of the printmaking process. This hands-on experience will also foster a sense of accomplishment and pride in their artistic achievements. The brayers and carving tools will last throughout the years to come and will continue to impact students for years to come.

Budget Narrative

The grant funds will be used to purchase the following materials for the linocut printmaking project:

- Linoleum (2x3 practice blocks): 84 blocks to allow students to practice using the carving tools
- Linoleum (4x5 final blocks): 84 blocks to carve their final design, including extras in case of a mistake that cannot be turned into something else.
- Linoleum Cutters and Handles: 32 sets to ensure there is enough for each student in the class, to allow for safe and effective carving.
- Printmaking Ink: High-quality black ink for durable prints to create contrast against their colorful backgrounds
- Brayers: 32 brayers to facilitate smooth and even ink applications
- Printmaking Paper: 100 sheets of high-quality printmaking paper.