Mark Jenkins Inspired Tape Sculpture Installations

The Sculpture I class studied the work of Mark Jenkins, an installation artist that makes sculptures out of tape, and installs them in public.  Our students divided into groups, and wrapped one student in plastic wrap, then added three layers of strapping tape.  They started with the legs, the next day they did the torso and arms, and finally they used a head form to make the head.  I don't think anyone would have liked getting their head taped!

They carefully cut the tape off the model, and stuffed the form with paper, before taping the cut seams back together.  When the entire sculpture was reassembled, they needed to dress the figure in real clothing and install it on campus.  This was one of our favorites.  The students cut a hole in the middle of their sculpture and wrapped it around a tree.  They did a great job hiding it, so that it looked like the tree was growing from the figure's abdomen.  Very creative!

Jane Kelsey-Mapel Head Cups

During my time student teaching, a guest artist was invited to come into our classroom to demonstrate how to make her head cups.   Jane Kelsey-Mapel is an Arizona artist who makes clay figures and portraits.  I love her style, because she doesn't try to hide the process, instead she emphasizes it.  She leaves her slab seams visible, and enhances them in the glazing stage. 

My high school students created their own head cups.  Some students made a portrait that resembled a real person, but most just allowed the head to develop on its own.

This is the green ware stage of the head cups.  I was a nervous wreck having all of these amazing art pieces on a rolling shelf to harden.  They look amazing at this stage, but once they came out of the kiln, and the students began to glaze them, WOW!

Each head cup was as unique as the student who created it.  I think Jane Kelsey-Mapel would have been really proud of the final results.  I know I was very proud of all the detail and hard work that went in to each one.

My Student Teaching at Perry High School

My student teaching experience felt like I had won the lottery.  I had the most amazing cooperating teacher.  Our teaching styles were very similar.  We also had the same twisted sense of humor and laughed almost as much as we taught.  I also lucked out getting the most amazing group of high school students.  they welcomed me into their classroom, and were so supportive while I learned their names and the daily routines of a Sculpture class.


The final project in the Sculpture II class was an Identity Totem.  They were to create a likeness of themselves, and use color and symbols to represent aspects of their lives, their interests and their personalities.  The results were unbelievable.



Some students chose to glaze their totems, while some used watercolor and/or acrylic paint.