Art Appreciation is a supplemental art enrichment program funded by the PTA. The purpose of the program is to share enthusiasm for and interest in art and artists. It is different from the art class taught by our Art Specialist in that it is more free-form exploration of art or artists. Our hope is to stimulate the student’s imaginations, encourage self-expression, and expose them to different perspectives, cultures and histories.

Art Appreciation parent volunteers visit the classroom once a month to lead a 50-minute long art lesson or activity. Volunteers work with teachers to find a mutually agreed upon time. The volunteers typically give a brief biography of an artist or history of an art form and then the students start a project in the style of a particular artist or practice a particular art technique. Some volunteers use PowerPoint presentations, some use children’s books about an artist or art-style, and some just give parameters and let the kids explore the materials.

Art Appreciation parents do not need an art background to participate in the program. Every year new parents join who have never done this before. It is a fun opportunity to work in the classroom. Parents sometimes start in the program when their kids are young and remain through 5th grade. These parents are experienced and have developed an ability to find meaningful projects to fit the age group and guide the class through it. They have learned to be flexible, open and willing to let each child go in their own direction.

Our annual gallery night, called International Art Fest, provides an opportunity to showcase students' work in a fun-filled gallery night. Each year, this school-wide community event features interactive art projects hosted by the Spanish Immersion Through the Arts Committee (SITA),  poetry readings and marimba band performances.

How to Gather Ideas for Your Art Class

Some teachers suggest projects, concepts, artists or themes that supplement the curriculum students are working on. Other projects come from volunteer’s interests, resources from within the Art Appreciation program, websites or from experienced Art Appreciation parents.

1. Google Drive Foler for Art Lesson sharing (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RrvAKnG3tM_iRO97DCqcwu9idz_HElXO?usp=share_link)
   • Powerpoints, Lesson Plans, and other resources are shared by all art appreciation volunteers.
   • Please make a personal copy before making any edits to a powerpoint or document
   • Include your name and contact information on resources you share
2. Talk to your classroom teacher
   Teachers often like to have art classes that follow their curriculum.  For example,
   • Science:  insect drawing, oil pastel planets, printmaking with leaves, making art using outdoor materials, painting rocks
   • Math:  symmetrical mask painting, optical illusion, positive and negative design, 3D sculpture
   • Social Studies: aboriginal art, totem pole project, making recycled paper, drawing maps, city planning
   • Literature: projects based on story books, poetry
3. Passport Club Countries
   Each month, students have an opportunity to learn culture and geographical facts about countries they are studying for through the  PTA’s Passport Club program. Introducing celebrated art and artists from these countries is a great way to discover more about the culture. The Passport Club Company has great resources on their website (www.passportclubonline.com) and Pinterest boards (https://www.pinterest.com/thepassportclub/). See the PTA Passport Program website for more details. (https://puestadelsolpta.org/Page/Programs/PassportClub)
4. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
   

   Art Appreciation lessons are a great opportunity to promote diversity in our community, to provide education about important historical and cultural events, and to inspire values of social justice. Volunteers are encouraged to expose the students to artists from diverse backgrounds and to use art as a means of telling the stories of traditionally marginalized communities. If you have questions or ideas to share about DEI Art Appreciation lessons, please contact [email protected].

   
   
   • Ask families in your class to collaborate on planning a presenting lesson(s) that represent their heritage, culture, or personal experience. You can do this through a message sent by the  teacher or room parent. If you are teaching about a cultural tradition, whenever possible, invite those with lived experience to share and assist with the lesson.
   • The DEI Themes, Values and Lessons spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sQ-TP2AOk4zkJpec7Ib8XVtU4cAW9vwrcKcT-61Ymfk/edit?usp=sharing) contains monthly values, themes, books and accompanying lesson ideas. 
   • Lessons commissioned by local artists: Email [email protected] if you need access.
   • Monica Tie - Color & Culture lesson (Chinese-American) (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-_d158IX6BhnTXQY-XTX60Epx2fjHMoT?usp=share_link) 
   • Monthly Themes & Cultural Heritage Observances: 
   • September: Hispanic Heritage Month
   • October: Hispanic Heritage Month, Dia de Los Muertos (Nov. 1-2), Disability Awareness Month, Unity Day (anti-bullying), Indigenous People’s Day
   • November: Native American Heritage Month, Veteran’s Day
   • December: World Religions and Celebrations, Poverty & Generosity
   • January: MLK Jr. Day, Immigration 
   • February: Black History Month, Lunar New Year 
   • March: Women’s History Month
   • April: Autism Awareness, Earth Day/Climate Justice, MENA (Middle East North Africa) or Arab Heritage Month
   • May: Asian-American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month
   • June: LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Different kinds of families, Juneteenth
   • Bellevue School District Cultural Calendar [https://bsd405.org/about/calendar/cultural-calendar/]

5. Attend Art Appreciation Meetings & Workshops

   We are planning to have regular get-togethers to share project ideas that worked well in our classes or help you brainstorm ideas to present on a specific topic or skill.

   We will also have experienced Art Appreciation volunteers and artists host workshops on different techniques and skills like printmaking, ceramics and using the kiln.

Art Appreciation has 4 designated cabinets in the PTA Office, a large paper cart in the hallway outside the office and all of the cabinets in the Teatro filled with supplies.  These materials include: clay and glazes, many types of paints, pens, inks, oil and chalk pastels, charcoal and colored pencils for drawing and illustrating and materials for block printing. There is a whole host of other crafting items like felt, foam stickers, and yarn. There is also a kiln on-site at Puesta del Sol.

Each class has a budget of $75 for the year to cover miscellaneous expenses.  When there is more than one parent volunteer in the class, please be sure to coordinate your expenditures.  Volunteers turn their reimbursement requests and receipts to the  PTA Treasurer.  You can download the Reimbursement Form from this website.  Go to our Documents and Forms web page and look under FINANCIAL FORMS.  There are also blank forms available in the envelope in the PTA office by the Art Appreciation cabinets. Please turn in your receipts and use your $75 materials budget because it allows the PTA to know if they are funding the program adequately.  

Volunteers are encouraged to use the sign-out sheets on the clipboards of the closets to reserve materials they plan to use for their class projects. It is a good idea to check a week or so in advance of your project to ensure that everything you need is available. Please let the Art Appreciation Chairs know when we need to restock a certain material. Our email is: [email protected].

Children’s books featuring art and artists are excellent resources and can enhance your classroom presentations.  We have a library of books in the PTA office cabinets that focus on artists, art techniques, and art-inspired stories especially for children.  Volunteers can check them out from the counter in the PTA office near the art appreciation cabinets.  Many are available through the King County Library System as well. We would love to know about books you would recommend or have used in your presentations. Please share them with us at [email protected].

Art Appreciation Book List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bXVsVDX1TtoX4pWuychOELIW_MkRzxTBFf6kGJFMKqM/edit?usp=share_link

Online Resources and Inspiration

1. Drop Box Account of Past Presentations

The Art Appreciation Committee keeps a Dropbox account where we share projects other parent volunteers have submitted. Please email [email protected] to receive access to the files.

2. Websites

Below are some websites that parents have used to find fun projects.  If you have any websites you would to share with others Art Appreciation volunteers, send us an email at [email protected].

www.deepspacesparkle.com
artprojectsforkids.org
www.k6art.com
thecraftyclassroom.com
www.mericherry.com

3. Picture and Activity Books

Children’s books featuring art and artists are excellent resources and can enhance your classroom presentations.  We are starting to build a library of books that focus on artists and art techniques especially for children.  Volunteers will be able to check them out from the Art Appreciation cabinets.  Many are available through King County Library System as well.  We would love to know about books you would recommend or have used in your presentations.  Please share them with us at [email protected].

Best Practices

1. All aerosols should be sprayed outdoors with no children present. Be sure to have proper ventilation and protect the work surface with a proper covering.
2. Lacquer and varnish products should not be used by students. Only non-toxic paints available in the Art Appreciation closets should be used.
3. Linoleum block carvers should be used only in the upper grades under the close supervision of several volunteers.
4. Hair dryers, heat guns and high-heat glue guns should be used by adults only. 
5. Do not teach Christmas-themed art projects; this is not inclusive of all students.
6. Use multicultural paint (in AA cabinet) and crayons when drawing people, self-portraits, etc.
7. Check with the teacher before planning a project for Mother’s day or Father’s day; it may not be inclusive of all students.