Bacich Elementary Art Blog

  Kindergarten: The Tree of Life inspired by Gustav Klimt Kindergarten students were introduced to the Austrian “Art Nouveau” painter Gustav Klimt (born in 1862). Klimt had created many world famous paintings such as “The Kiss” and the painting the Kindergarten students were introduced to “The Tree of Life”. Gustav Klimt painted the Tree of Life, during his Golden Era as seen by the extensive use of the golden color on this piece.  Gustav Klimt’s decorative art nouveau style, with his use of colors and abstract shapes, is full of symbolism and can be interpreted in so many ways. Students used gold tempera paint to paint their own tree of life, painting graceful spirals at the end of each branch. While painting students dedicated each spiral to someone they love.  2nd GRADE: Warm/Cool Color Sun/Moon Study Students were introduced to the color scheme warm and cool. With colors an artist can set a mood, attract attention, or make a statement. Color can be used to energize, o...

During the week of April 12, 2021 Bacich teachers and community volunteers delivered an arts based unit on skin colors to 44 Marin Country Public Elementary Schools. Inside the inclusive language tote bag: Bacich Elementary School Social Justice Skin Color unit, The Skin You Live In book, by Michael Tyler and beautifully painted bookmarks in skin tones by Bacich students. So much gratitude to all who leaned into this important message of acceptance & self love. Thank you to a fantastic team making this happen. Donation Package Bookmarks painted by K-4th grade Bacich Students This fantastic action step includes a long list of individuals and organizations who donated books, resources, and endless support to bring this unit of acceptance and inclusion to all Marin elementary schools. With gratitude we’d like to recognize; Raquel Rose, Mary Ann Spitzer, Wendy Holmes, Barbara Libby-Steinmann, Thalia Milano, Marty Ross, Anna Rochester, Michael Tyler, Jenny Novack, Jennifer Ball, KSPTA...

  March 2021 With great pleasure I welcomed students in-person in the Baich art room for the first time in over a year!  What a difference to be able to have access to supplies and a teaching style not via a screen. Through the end of the school year two grade levels will be rotating through the art room for in-person art instruction in a two week wheel schedule. Distance learning classes will continue to have art instruction via zoom following the same two week schedule.  Kindergarten  Students were introduced to the concept of contrast: to use different elements or opposites to make areas in artwork stand out. The tint white and the shade black are the lightest and darkest shades to create the highest, strongest contrast and a dramatic statement.   Are black and white colors? Many do consider black to be a color, because you combine other pigments to create it on paper, but in a technical sense, black and white are not colors, they’re shades. They augment colo...

School wide Bookmark Project Kindergarten through 4th grade students are continuing with our Social Justice/Arts Integration work with a "Call for Action Bookmark Project".  (SJ elements 5 and 6: Awareness Raising and Social Action) We pledge to donate a copy of “The Skin you Live In” to all Elementary Schools in Marin County. Bacich students are designing bookmarks. Students may choose to paint their bookmarks with their skin tones, decorate with patterns and designs inspired by illustrator David Lee Csicsko, or they may draw a cartoon version of their faces with a description of their skin like those written by author Michael Tyler: “I have milky chocolate pudding skin. How about you?” Bookmarks will be tucked into the donated books along with a copy of the “Skin” unit the Bacich Social Justice team has developed. Books will be delivered in “Inclusive Language” totes. Kindergarten and 4th grade students kicked off our school wide bookmark project. Below please see a selecti...