My students have smiles that will light the room. They come to class excited to create and experiment. While some have access to art materials at home, most do not so my classroom is their studio. They bring their ideas, beliefs, and stories to share through their artwork and I love getting to share it with them. Everyday there are moments of inspiration and excitement.
I appreciate and enjoy their excitement and energy even more knowing that for many daily life outside of school can be a struggle.
My school has a high percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, and we have a least a few students who are currently homeless. That said you would never know that in our art studio.
My Project
A printing press will help students learn not only about printmaking but also about history. Having real materials not just kid ones is important for kids to really get excited about an art form. A printing press is one of those opportunities to get real life experience using the same kinds of materials that artists and printers use.
Printmaking is a magical art, you make a design or a painting and then you press paper against it and magically it transfers to a new paper.
In some cases you can make lots of copies instead of just one. We use monotype, stamping, marker and styrofoam printing techniques but all can be improved with this press. It will allow better transfers and more even printing. This is especially important because one of the more painful bits of printmaking is when something doesn't transfer (usually because that area didn't get pressed properly.) Having a real press will help make sure we have more magic and less frustration.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Antman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
