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Create Your Outdoor Oasis — Preschool

"Bird Sculpture Initiative"

Transform your art room into an Arctic wonderland with a captivating bird art project reminiscent of the masterpieces by celebrated Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak! Employ various shapes, hues, and patterns to produce a Kenojuak-inspired creation.

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5 min read
Transform your mundane art room into a chilly Arctic wonderland with this spellbinding bird art...
Transform your mundane art room into a chilly Arctic wonderland with this spellbinding bird art project, echoing the masterpieces of esteemed Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak! Employ forms, hues, and intricate patterns to breathe life into a Kenojuak-inspired artistry marvel.

"Bird Sculpture Initiative"

Straight Up Art Project: Kenojuak Ashevak's Whimsical Bird Collage

Fire up your art room and channel the Arctic with this spunky bird art project inspired by Inuit artist and legend Kenojuak Ashevak! This exquisite bird creation will be the star of any Indigenous Peoples projects or animal habitat lesson.

Bird Collage Mania

Kenojuak Ashevak, a trailblazing Inuit artist from the chilly Arctic, is renowned for her dreamy bird drawings. Her art was filled with color and imagination. In her culture, birds were seen as emblems of freedom and messengers between the real world and the enchanting spirit world.

In this project, we’ll lead young Picassos on a journey to explore Ashevak's unique style by designing rad bird collages using basic materials. Go ahead and throw it into an animal habitat lesson for a STEAM explosion of fun learning!

Supplies:

  • Printable bird template (see ya'll below)
  • Scissors
  • Markers
  • Multi-colored cardstock
  • Glue stick

💡Go ahead and mix things up with the art supplies you already have lying around. Our sample should serve as a guide, but don't forget to let your imagination run wild.

How to Create Your Whimsical Bird Collage:

  1. Print Templates: Start by printing the bird and shape template provided.
  2. Color Your Bird: Use markers to color your bird in bold, kick-ass colors, just like Ashevak did in her artwork. Cut out the bird shape.
  3. Prepare the Shapes: Cut out the remaining shapes from the template and use them as guides to cut out similar shapes from various colors of cardstock.
  4. Design Your Bird: Arrange the shapes around your bird on a background piece of cardstock. Get creative with patterns, colors, and placement to make your bird a flyin' hoot!
  5. Glue It Together: Once you’re satisfied with your arrangement, use a glue stick to attach your bird and shapes to the background.

About Kenojuak Ashevak

Kenojuak Ashevak was a celebrated artist from the chilly Arctic who adored birds. In her culture, birds represented significant messages and bridges between various worlds. Ashevak's birds were known for their bright colors and lively shapes, seeming to be dancing or flying.

She desired to showcase the stunning beauty and enchantment of birds in her snowy Arctic home, where they were a part of everyday life. Her dynamic style gained appreciation and adoration from artists and art lovers worldwide.

💡Get hooked on all our hero artist projects.

What is Collage?

A collage is an art form that involves gluing together various materials like paper, fabric, and photos to create a new masterpiece. In this project, children will use the collage technique to bring Kenojuak Ashevak's colorful and lively bird style to life.

Bonus Activities:

  • Cultural Exploration: Delve into the importance of birds in Inuit culture and Ashevak's artwork.
  • Pattern and Texture: Look into different patterns inspired by Ashevak's art. Let the little Picassos add texture to their collage pieces, mimicking the intricate designs in Ashevak's bird drawings.
  • Seasonal Birds: Invite the kids to think about birds in their environment. Encourage them to create a collage representing their native birds, drawing inspiration from Ashevak’s bold style.
  • Bird Habitat Diorama: Deepen the learning experience by exploring where birds live. Let the little ones create a simple diorama to show their bird's habitat.
  • Arctic Animal Collage: Introduce the kiddos to other Arctic animals through collage. Encourage them to explore Ashevak's imaginative style to create a collage of an Arctic fox, seal, or polar bear.
  • Ashevak Owl Art Project: Those who love Ashevak's style can venture further into her artistic style by crafting another collage influenced by her famous owl drawings. This project can help further their understanding of Ashevak's style and the cultural significance of owls in Inuit art.

Free Printable Bird Template

Kenojuak Ashevak is a legendary artist who’s where you can find her in our Epic Artists Project Pack. You can grab their fabulous bird template and info sheet right here.

More Love for Indigenous Peoples

  • Lloyd Kiva New Paper Collage
  • Ashevak's Owl
  • Bancroft Ornament
  • Bancroft Landscape
  • Picotte Stethoscope
  • Herrington reef Base

Art Project Resources Y'All Will Love

Find these resources helpful in introducing art to your bunch and feeling confident as you present materials:

  • Free Color Mixing Mini Pack
  • Getting Started with Process Art
  • Preschool Art Projects
  • How to Make Paint
  • Easy Painting Ideas For Kids
  • Fun Pop Art Ideas
  • Outdoor Art Projects
  • Free Art Challenges
  • What Are The 7 Elements Of Art?
  • STEAM Activities (Science + Art)
  • Make an art cart!
  • Famous Artist Birthdays
  • Printable Artist Project Pack (26 Artists)

Enrichment Data:

Kenojuak Ashevak is famous for her stunning and distinctive style in Inuit art, characterized by fluid graphic storytelling and amazing stonecut printing skills [5]. Her artworks often feature bold lines, vibrant colors, and creative representations of Arctic wildlife, particularly birds and whales. Ashevak's style is not only visually striking but also deeply rooted in Inuit culture, earning her the title of "the grandmother of Inuit art" [5].

To create a Kenojuak-inspired bird collage art project for use in Indigenous Peoples' projects and animal habitat lessons, follow this step-by-step guide:

Kenojuak Ashevak's Whimsical Bird Collage Art Project

Scope:

  • To craft a bird collage that reflects the vibrant colors, fluid style, and imaginative spirit of Kenojuak Ashevak.
  • To foster a deeper appreciation for Indigenous art and culture in a fun, educational environment.

Materials Needed:

  • Multi-colored Paper or Cardstock: Select bright colors that evoke the beauty of Inuit art.
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Black Construction Paper (for background)
  • Markers or Paint (for fine details)
  • Reference Images: Share pictures of birds and Inuit art to help inspire the young artists.

Steps:

  1. Background Prep:
  2. Cut a piece of black construction paper to form the backdrop. This will make your colors pop, just like Ashevak's use of contrasting colors.
  3. Cutting Bird Shapes:
  4. Use scissors to cut out bird shapes from the colorful paper. Pick geometric shapes for a simple design or go all out by creating more detailed bird forms.
  5. Assembling the Bird Collage:
  6. Arrange the bird shapes on the black background. Encourage the kiddos to ponder Ashevak's use of vibrant colors and fluid style when arranging the pieces.
  7. Adding Details:
  8. Use markers or paint to add intricate details like eyes, beaks, or feathers. Emphasize the storytelling aspect by incorporating elements of Inuit mythology or the bird's habitat into the design.
  9. Educational Integration:
  10. Discuss the significance and habitat of the bird species chosen.
  11. Share tales of Kenojuak Ashevak's life and art, focusing on her remarkable contribution to Inuit culture and her role as a pioneering artist.
  12. Showtime:
  13. Once the collage is complete, display it with pride. Mount it in a setting that celebrates Indigenous art and culture, such as a classroom or community center.

Extra Tips:

  • Cultural Awareness: Ensure the project respects and highlights the beauty of Inuit culture. Use authentic materials and themes.
  • Storytelling: Encourage the kids to weave stories through their artwork just like Ashevak did in her prints.
  • Community Collaboration: Consider approaching local Indigenous groups or artists for feedback or collaboration, as their input will help enrich the educational experience and offer a genuine perspective.
  1. In this project, we'll guide young artists to create rad bird collages, reminiscent of Kenojuak Ashevak's unique style in the animal habitat lesson.
  2. Mix things up with the art supplies like scissors, markers, multi-colored cardstock, and glue stick to bring out your kid's inner Picasso.
  3. Once you've printed the bird and shape template, use markers to color the bird and cut out the bird shape.
  4. Prepare the shapes by cutting out similar shapes from various colored cardstock, which will serve as a guide for the collage elements.
  5. Arrange the shapes around your bird on a background piece of cardstock to make a visually appealing and creative bird collage.
  6. After satisfying with the design, use a glue stick to attach the bird and shapes to the background, culminating in a stunning bird collage art piece.
  7. For a more comprehensive learning experience, consider branching out into various activities around the theme of birds and Inuit art, such as exploring the importance of birds in Inuit culture, creating collages inspired by Kenojuak Ashevak's art, or even designing a bird habitat diorama.

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