Back to the Grind

Mural Club is back at it again. Finishing some old work, beginning LOTS of new work. A new set of freshmen to join the current team of talent, hard work, and dedicated artists.

Hot Ideas For A Cooler Planet

Students travel from around the world to use the valuable cultural resources in NYC. Sometimes we take it granted how much educational wealth we have to take advantage of for our students to learn. We get caught up in the routine of the classroom or experience the pressure of test scores/ evaluations leading to class time feeling more valuable. Other times we just don't want to spend the time or go through the hassle of permission slips, coverages, or placing students not attending in other classrooms because it is time consuming and tiring. Knowing students learn best from seeing first hand and experiencing, as opposed to the monotony of just reading and writing about a historical site, work of art, or architectural landmark, pushes me to get students out of the classroom as much as possible. I learn the best that way so some of my students probably do too.
Just strolling around the local neighborhood around Richard R Green HS I encounter many of these awesome resources within a square mile of the school; Battery Park, Statue of Liberty, Fraunces Tavern, Staten Island Ferry, Brooklyn Bridge, sculptures by Kieth Haring, Alexander Calder, Jean Debuffet among many others, The Jewish Museum, 9/11 Museum, The Museum of the American Indian, African Burial Ground, and Trinity Church just to name a few within walking distance.
Taking advantage of the warm December weather I decided to take my advisory to the Hot Ideas for a Cooler World exhibit in Battery Park. Each student was assigned an artist's globe to write about. They focused on the way the artist displayed how we can conserve energy as beings on this planet. There are around 15-20 globes at the outdoor exhibit. We were back within a 50 minute period. Every student showed a willingness and curiosity to learn more. This exhibit is done by different artists in NYC, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, San Diego, Geneva, Amsterdam, Vancouver, Boston , Houston, Copenhagen, and LA. For more info go to coolglobes.org. Here are some pics from our local field trip.
#brianbachisin #rrgart #richardrgreen

Positive/Negative Space Drawings

Works by Kimberly Mendez, Ashley Ren, Ana Prieto, Tia Callwood, Anjelie Ramkirath, and Sabrina Persaud

Works by Ishika Hussein,  Rene Terrero, Sandy Baeza, Kaziah Rosa, Jaslyn Villa, and Casey Curran

Students created sharpie drawings using pattern and design with the focus on positive and negative space. They will later use these drawing as the surface to an abstract sculpture. I will post pictures along the way of this process.

Breakfast of Champions

The freshman teachers organized a special breakfast for 20 freshmen students who exemplify leadership, respect, resilience, trust, inclusion, and collaboration in their daily practices at RRGHST. It was refreshing to be a part of an awesome team of teachers who can plan an event focusing on positive behavior in a place that can be overwhelming with struggle at times. These students make the struggle that much easier.

RRGHST Artist of the Month

I am proud to display this piece in the window of Principal Nigel Pugh's office facing the sidewalk on 7 Beaver Street, NYC , for thousands to see. Freshman student Kim Mendez exhibited an interesting abstract composition, good use of value and gradation through colored pencil, and original imagery depicting Pop Culture in this drawing. It was my pleasure to observe this student grow artistically, pay attention to mysterious detail, and spend many class hours creating this piece as her first Studio Art 1 project.

Abstract/ POP Art Drawing: Student Activity Guide

Here is the student guidelines to the first project we are working on for Unit 1 Abstract Art.  I will post photos of the progress of this project.

Click here for student activity guidelines

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iltaHHvsm1zNAxYSTTDxG7W82TYKkJx9ohRAy1ig2Y0/pub

RRGHST Staff Teambuilding Professional Development

On June 4, 2015, the RRGHST Staff worked in teams to compete in a cooking competition.  We had one stovetop burner, a small budget, and limited ingredients/ utensils to create our meals. The various skills used throughout this timed process are used throughout the school year to collaborate in helping our students succeed.  It was amazing to see what the diverse staff in our school could bring to the table during the cookoff.  It made me realize that I work with an amazing staff who will bend over backwards to help kids succeed.  Here are a few of the many stunning dishes the teams came up with.  

Supply List Studio Art 1 (all RRGHST Freshmen Art Students)

RRGHST 2015-16
Studio Art 1 
Brian Bachisin bbachisin@schools.nyc.gov 
brianbachisin.blogspot.com

SUPPLY LIST
Although we have certain materials in the art studio, you will need to purchase the following supplies. These supplies stay in the art studio and will be be readily available for your use. These materials can be purchase at any school supply store (Officemax, Staples, Walmart, Target, etc), art store (Pearl Paint, Utrecht, Artstore), or online. If there is a problem obtaining these materials, please write me a note from your guardian or contact me at bbachisin@schools.nyc.gov.

• 10x15 plastic folder, case, or zippered bag(this is to hold all of your materials. A large Ziploc bag will work but is not as durable) 
• 2 Black Sharpie Markers (one fine point and one extra fine point) 
•  Marble Notebook and folder 
• 12 No.2 pencils (you will go through all of these) 
• Box of 8-24 Colored Pencils (I recommend Crayola. Advanced classes may want Berol or Prismacolor Brands) 
• 12 inch ruler (plastic, metal, wood, or flexible is fine) 
• Pencil sharpener 
• Elmars glue bottle or glue sticks 
• Erasers 
• Scissors (I recommend the Fiskars Brand)

Studio Art 1 Course Outline/ Grading Policy

Click on the link below to view course ouline and grading policies https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yaqTSLk_godrE3P7HJNMA0P1S2Bg-NVa-myzylzwJK8/pub

RRGHST Mural Club latest results from 2014-15 school year

Here are some of the latest pictures of where the Mural Club left off for last school year on our staircase mural. #brianbachisin #rrghstart #RRGHST

I look forward to completing this mural with new freshmen recruits and the amazing students that joined us for the 2014-15 school year. I also look forward to discussing upcoming ideas that students generate for the club's next mural projects for 2015-16. #brianbachisin #rrghstart #RRGHST

 I also look forward to discussing upcoming ideas that students generate for the club's next mural projects for 2015-16. We have way too many white walls to team up on. Stay tuned for meeting dates. #brianbachisin #rrghstart #RRGHST

 #brianbachisin #RRGHST #rrghstart

Self Portraits complete

Exhibited here are some freshmen self portraits from 2014-15 that I found to use the seven elements of art that we have been practicing effectively.  This is just a few of the many styles students worked in.  #selfportraits #brianbachisin #RRGHST 

Student Self-Portraits

During our Portraiture Unit, students spend time examining the work of artist Chuck Close, sketching facial anatomy, and learning how to create a grid system over an image using coordinates.  This interdisciplinary work incorporates various skills used in most subject areas.   Careful discussion and planning with my grade team which consists of math, social studies, science, health, and english teachers,  allows me to create such valuable units of study connected to all disciplines.  Above are some works in progress.  #brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

Mural Club Progress 2015

More progress on the background of the staircase mural during the months of April and May.   #brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

Students are incorporating their knowledge of landscape/ cityscape and abstract art to create a vibrant, dynamic, unique background.  #brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

RRGHST Individual Fruit Paintings 2015

Well thought out composition, color, and texture
#brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

Freshmen students hard at work in the Art Studio downtown NYC
#brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

2014-15 RRGHST Freshmen Artist Rosemeiry Adames
#brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

Collaborative Fruit Paintings 2015

Here are some examples of freshmen oil pastel paintings done in either pairs or groups.
#brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

The sizes of these works vary from 36"x48" and larger
#brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

These works were exhibited in the 2015 Night of the Arts Exhibition at Richard R. Green High School of Teaching NYC.  #brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

Collaborative Groupwork RRGHST

RRGHST Freshmen students worked in groups during Studio Art 1 class to create each panel consisting of a variety of mediums including linoleum prints, still life drawings, painting, and collage.
#brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

These mixed media murals of various panels now hang permanently throughout the halls of Richard R. Green High School of Teaching at 7 Beaver Street in Lower Manhatten.
#brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

Mural Club: March 2015

After much planning, preliminary drawing, and discussion, Mural Club Students finally get to start painting on the staircase walls.  #brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

"Art is a process, not a product"  -Maryann F. Kohl
Although this is true, we all look forward to the end product of this mural.  #brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

This is just the beginning of Richard R Green High School's Mural Club's first hallway tranformation!  Stay tuned.  #brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

Night of the Arts Invites 2015

#brianbachisin #bachisin #rrghstart

Night of the Arts 2015

Here are some Freshman Self Portraits and Oil Pastel Fruit Drawings exhibited in the Night of the Arts Exhibition 2015.  We used this photo for the postcard invitation for the evening.  Extremely proud of all the students who completed the entire procedure of these projects and participated in the show.  Comment if you recognize anyone on this invite.  #brianbachisin #bachisin #RRGHST