The Materials Market: Creating Paper Food Sculptures
Beryl Ford, The Art Studio’s January-Term Intern, a sophomore at Smith College, designed last month’s Special Sunday Art Activity as part of her final project during her internship with us. Here is her report of the day.
On the morning of Sunday, January 25th, I arrived at the Art Studio, put on my apron, and prepared for another exciting day in the Studio, just as I had done for the past three weeks. However, this familiar routine was slightly different on this morning because instead of setting up for the Every Day Art Project, I was setting up for my Special Sunday Project—The Materials Market: Creating Paper Food Sculptures.
At The Materials Market table, I helped guests brainstorm their favorite foods and collect all the materials they needed to construct them. They selected from baskets filled glue sticks and tape, straight edged and “funky” scissors, and a variety of colored and patterned papers.
I delightfully watched as visitors of all ages, would shop for the “ingredients” needed to make their paper food creations. I also created signage for the work tables to help guests with basic paper construction ideas.
It was such an accomplishing feeling, watching guests eagerly explore different ways to construct with paper, and alter the look and feel of their sculptures.
Taking a moment now to reflect upon this experience, I realize and appreciate just how much hard work and imagination it takes to turn a seed of an idea and cultivate it into a fully flourished project. When I first began considering a theme for my special Sunday project I had a few different ideas. One idea, to have guests decorate paper aprons, was inspired by one of my favorite Eric Carle books, My Apron!. I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to connect my personal experience of wearing my apron as a member of The Art Studio Team to Carle’s character’s experience of wearing his apron as a child while helping his uncle at work. However, Diana encouraged me to keep thinking and looking for inspiration and to push my ideas even further.
So I began journaling: my favorite art materials, my favorite works of art from the Smith College Museum of Art, and my favorite styles of art. Once I was finished writing down my ideas and inspiration, the list read: “colorful and decorated paper; construction paper; the painting Prospect by Emily Eveleth (part of The Smith College Museum of Art collection), food sculptures created by Claes Oldenburg; aprons; My Apron! by Eric Carle; Pop art; Modern art; collage; and 3-dimensional paper sculpture.”
Not wanting to entirely abandon my original idea, I asked myself, “How could I take the list of words I just generated and my love for My Apron!, and develop an idea for a meaningful project?” After looking at my list of words, the answer came to me immediately: paper food sculpture! And just like that, I had planted the seed that would become my Special Sunday Project.
Overall, I truly enjoyed the entire process of planning, designing, and executing this project!
Making Art with Children is generously sponsored by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority.