My Students need your help!

Hi Friends,

I want to make sure my students have the materials they need to succeed.  So, I've created a classroom project request at DonorsChoose.org, an award-winning charity.

I'm asking for donations of any size to help my art students.  For the next 4 days, any donation you make to my project will be doubled (up to $100).   you know anyone who is passionate about education, please pass this along.  Your donation will brighten my students' school year, and you will get photos and thank yous from our class.

Here is my Classroom Request:
A Safe Place to Dry Our Artistic Creations! 
To have your donation matched dollar for dollar, enter the promo code SPARK on the payment screen.  This awesome match offer lasts through October 16.

My students and I greatly appreciate your support.

                                                - Mrs. Peña-Martinez

Chalk It Up!

On October 10, take your family and friends to Artpace Chalk It Up, a free festival of contemporary art, transforming Downtown Houston Street into an art gallery - from the ground up. 

San Antonio's best local artists will be there to create chalk murals along historic Houston Street which will be closed from 10-4 for the event, and food trucks, live music, a photo booth, performances, and more make Artpace Chalk It Up the most exciting art party of the year. 

And the best part is that it is FREE and open to the public. I hope to see you there! 

© Claudia Peña-Martinez 2012

© Claudia Peña-Martinez 2012

© Claudia Peña-Martinez 2012

© Claudia Peña-Martinez 2012

Art Club makes Tote Bags from Old Tees!

This summer I attended Texas Public Radio's Art of Recycling event where Spare Parts  was teaching the public how to re-purpose old tees. I loved this project so much that I decided it would be the perfect recycling project to kick off the first Art Club meeting of the 2015-2016 school year!  

Art club spent the afternoon making cute tote bags from old tees that would have been otherwise discarded and we had a blast! I was excited to have a full classroom of over 26 students that filled the room with chatter, laughter, and best of all recycling! 

© Live Art, Breathe Art 2015

You too can make your own tote bag by following the tutorial below:

Back to the Grind

We made it! The first week back to school has been hectic for all of us, teachers, students and staff with schedule changes, learning about expectations, class rules and new school policies and procedures.  However, we have to get to business right away as we have a lot of projects to cover this semester. 

This week I asked my students to create their own sketchbooks using card stock, watercolor, and sharpie markers. The results are fantastic! The sketchbooks are glowing with each students personality. 

Sample of Works in progress:  

© Live Art, Breathe Art 2015

Welcome Back to School! Are you ready?

Welcome to the new school year! I am thrilled to be starting my second year at Jackson Middle School.  I am also looking forward to a year filled with challenges and excitement.

This year, we will focus on:

• Design 
• Composition
• Conceptual Thinking
• Creativity  
• Visual Culture
• Problem Solving

If you have any questions or concerns about any part of the school year please reach out to me either during my conference period, by email at cpenam@neisd.net, or by phone at 210.356.4400

Please note that it is important that you arrive on time and ready to learn as we will have a lot of exciting material to cover each day. 

I look forward to getting to know you better and helping you achieve all of your education goals for the year. 

Let's work together to make this the Best Year Ever!