3rd grade Cast Iron Pour sculptures

 3rd Grade Cast Iron Pour Sculptures

I’m excited to share a special project made possible through a grant from the Education Foundation. With this support, my students had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the Western North Carolina Sculpture Center in Lenoir, North Carolina, to create their own cast-iron low-relief sculptures.

Cast iron is used to make many everyday objects — from pots and kettles to artistic sculptures and industrial metal parts — but seeing the process up close brings a whole new appreciation for the craft.

At the Sculpture Center, a mold was created using a clay and sand mixture designed to hold molten iron safely in the desired shape. My students then carved their own Miró-inspired designs into the mold surface, carefully planning each line and texture. Watching their ideas take physical form was inspiring.

Once the molds were ready, the Sculpture Center team poured molten iron into each one. After the iron cooled, the castings were removed, revealing the students’ finished sculptures in solid metal — a powerful transformation from sketch to carving to iron.

Each year, the center also hosts a Cast Iron Day where families can come watch and even participate in the process. It’s an amazing community event that celebrates art, craftsmanship, and hands-on learning.

I’m so grateful for the grant, our partnership with the Sculpture Center, and the chance for my students to experience art in such a lasting and memorable way.

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Randy  Knauf photographer 

1st grade Joan Miro Styrofoam printmaking art lesson

Joan Miro Styrofoam printmaking art lesson

Here is my demonstration video. 

I love Joan Miro, especially since many of his paintings look child-like. Students love looking at his paintings and finding all the various shapes and figures.
I found a great resource to view many of his paintings here  http://www.joan-miro.net/

On the first day students used watercolors and painted a 12"x 9" piece of drawing paper. Students could use a variety of colors. Many students chose to paint their papers either with warm colors, cool colors or rainbow colors.

 

On the second day students took a 6" x  4" piece of Styrofoam and drew with a dull pencil, designs inspired by Joan Miro. Remind students not to press to hard or they will make a hole in their Styrofoam. They also have to make their drawings deep enough to resist the ink. I did a lot of checking before I let them print! 

I have four students at each of my six tables so on each table I provided one tray and one Brayer with black water soluble ink. Students had no problems taking turns with the ink since they were finished with their drawings at different times.

Encourage the students to really press hard on the Styrofoam while it is on their painted paper.

This students was absent on the day we painted our papers so she used a plain piece of a paper. It still turned out nice.