St Mailo Sensory Art: Painting the Details
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St Mailo Sensory Art: Painting the Details

Grade 12Art1 days
In this project, 12th-grade art students explore the essence of St. Mailo through sensory details, translating their observations into various art forms. Beginning with a sensory walk, students capture visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile details, which they then develop into an olfactory portrait, a synesthetic landscape painting inspired by music, and a sensory sketchbook. The project culminates in a reflection on how their sensory impressions evolved and how collaboration enhanced their artistic expression, using a detailed rubric to assess sensory translation, place connection, artistic techniques, and creativity.
Sensory ArtSt. MailoSynesthetic LandscapeOlfactory PortraitSensory SketchbookArtistic ExpressionSensory Details
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How does mindful attention to details influence our appreciation of art and the environment?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • In what ways can we translate sensory experiences into artistic expressions?
  • How does mindful attention to details influence our appreciation of art and the environment?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to translate sensory experiences into artistic expressions.
  • Students will be able to identify and appreciate the unique characteristics of a location through sensory observation.
  • Students will be able to use music to enhance their perception of a place.
  • Students will be able to create a visual art piece that reflects the essence of St. Mailo.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Sensory City Walk

Students embark on a sensory walk through St. Mailo, meticulously noting visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile details of the cityscape. They capture these observations through sketches, notes, and photos, focusing on elements that evoke emotional responses and reflect the city's unique character. They take off their headphones and share their experience. It should be interesting to see what details called the attention of the other peers
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Olfactory Portrait: Describing the Scents of St. Mailo

Students write a descriptive paragraph detailing the olfactory landscape of St. Mailo, focusing on specific scents and their emotional impact. This activity develops their ability to articulate sensory experiences in written form.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Reflect on the smells you encountered during the sensory walk, noting both pleasant and unpleasant odors.
2. Brainstorm descriptive words and phrases that accurately capture these scents (e.g., 'briny sea air,' 'freshly baked bread').
3. Write a paragraph that weaves together your sensory observations and emotional responses, creating a vivid olfactory portrait of St. Mailo.
4. Revise your paragraph for clarity, sensory detail, and emotional impact.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written paragraph that vividly describes the scents of St. Mailo, including specific details and emotional associations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to identify and appreciate the unique characteristics of a location through sensory observation.
Activity 2

Synesthetic Landscape: Painting Sensory Music

Students select a piece of music that resonates with their sensory experiences in St. Mailo and create an abstract painting inspired by the music and their sensory memories. This activity integrates auditory and visual elements, encouraging synesthetic expression.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a piece of music that evokes the atmosphere and emotions you experienced in St. Mailo.
2. Listen to the music while reviewing your sketches, notes, and olfactory portrait, allowing the sounds to enhance your sensory memories.
3. Experiment with different painting techniques (e.g., layering, blending, dripping) to express the music and your sensory impressions.
4. Create an abstract composition using colors, textures, and forms that reflect the sounds, smells, sights, and feelings of St. Mailo.
5. Write a brief artist statement explaining your creative process and the connections between the music, your sensory experiences, and your painting.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn abstract painting that visually represents the student's sensory experiences of St. Mailo, influenced by a chosen piece of music. The painting should incorporate colors, textures, and forms that evoke the sounds and feelings associated with the location.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to use music to enhance their perception of a place; Students will be able to translate sensory experiences into artistic expressions.
Activity 3

Sensory Sketchbook: Capturing Immediate Impressions

Students create a series of quick sketches capturing the dominant colors, textures, and forms they observed during the sensory walk in St. Mailo. This activity emphasizes translating immediate sensory impressions into visual notes.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review your notes and photos from the sensory walk, focusing on the most striking visual elements.
2. Create 5-7 thumbnail sketches, each capturing a different aspect of your sensory experience (e.g., color, texture, shape).
3. Experiment with different drawing tools (pencils, charcoal, pastels) to represent the textures you observed.
4. Add color swatches next to your sketches to document the predominant colors you encountered.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA sketchbook page filled with thumbnail sketches, color swatches, and texture rubbings representing sensory observations from the walk.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to translate sensory experiences into artistic expressions.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Sensory St. Mailo Art Rubric

Category 1

Sensory Experience & Place

This category assesses the student's ability to translate sensory experiences into art and connect personally with St. Mailo.
Criterion 1

Sensory Translation

The degree to which the student effectively translates sensory experiences (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile) into artistic form.

Exemplary
4 Points

Masterfully translates sensory experiences into an innovative and compelling artistic form, demonstrating a profound understanding of sensory details and their expressive potential. The artwork deeply captures the essence of St. Mailo.

Proficient
3 Points

Successfully translates sensory experiences into a cohesive artistic form, demonstrating a clear understanding of sensory details and their expressive potential. The artwork effectively captures the atmosphere of St. Mailo.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates an emerging ability to translate sensory experiences into artistic form, showing some understanding of sensory details but lacking consistency or depth in expression. The artwork partially captures the sensory environment of St. Mailo.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to translate sensory experiences into artistic form, showing limited understanding of sensory details or their expressive potential. The artwork does not effectively capture the sensory environment of St. Mailo.

Criterion 2

Place Connection

The extent to which the student's artwork reflects a personal connection to St. Mailo and demonstrates an understanding of its unique characteristics through sensory observation.

Exemplary
4 Points

The artwork embodies a deep and personal connection to St. Mailo, showcasing a nuanced understanding of its unique characteristics through profound sensory observation and insightful interpretation.

Proficient
3 Points

The artwork reflects a clear connection to St. Mailo, demonstrating a solid understanding of its unique characteristics through effective sensory observation and thoughtful interpretation.

Developing
2 Points

The artwork shows some connection to St. Mailo, but the understanding of its unique characteristics through sensory observation is emerging and not fully developed.

Beginning
1 Points

The artwork shows minimal connection to St. Mailo, lacking a clear understanding of its unique characteristics or sensory environment.

Category 2

Artistic Execution & Innovation

This category evaluates the student's use of artistic techniques and their ability to express creativity and originality.
Criterion 1

Artistic Techniques

The student's proficiency in using artistic techniques to convey sensory information and emotional responses.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates masterful command of artistic techniques to create compelling sensory experiences and evoke profound emotional responses, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression with innovative approaches.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates proficient use of artistic techniques to create clear sensory experiences and evoke appropriate emotional responses, effectively communicating the intended message.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging use of artistic techniques to convey sensory information and emotional responses, but the techniques are not always consistent or effective.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to use artistic techniques to convey sensory information or emotional responses, demonstrating limited skill or understanding of relevant techniques.

Criterion 2

Creativity & Expression

The degree to which the student demonstrates creativity, originality, and personal expression in their artwork, moving beyond mere representation to offer a unique interpretation.

Exemplary
4 Points

The artwork demonstrates exceptional creativity, originality, and personal expression, offering a highly unique and insightful interpretation that transcends conventional approaches and redefines the project's objectives.

Proficient
3 Points

The artwork demonstrates strong creativity, originality, and personal expression, offering a fresh and engaging interpretation that goes beyond simple replication.

Developing
2 Points

The artwork demonstrates some creativity, originality, and personal expression, but the interpretation is somewhat predictable or derivative.

Beginning
1 Points

The artwork lacks creativity, originality, and personal expression, relying heavily on imitation without offering a unique interpretation.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How did your initial sensory impressions of St. Mailo evolve throughout this project?

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Question 2

To what extent did music influence your perception and artistic representation of St. Mailo?

Scale
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Question 3

Which activity (olfactory portrait, synesthetic landscape, sensory sketchbook) best enabled you to express the essence of St. Mailo, and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Olfactory Portrait
Synesthetic Landscape
Sensory Sketchbook
Question 4

In what ways did the collaboration and sharing of sensory experiences with your peers enhance your personal understanding and artistic expression of St. Mailo?

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Required