Mr. Backes’ 3D Art students began the year with a group project based around large scale gargoyle creation. Students were tasked with forming effective, cooperative groups to design multiple two-dimensional sketches of possible gargoyles they would like to make. The groups were then introduced to small scale modeling clay building, where they transformed their sketch to a 3D model. Finally students used recycled materials from school shipments, including cardboard, Styrofoam, and newspaper to build full size medieval gargoyles.All gargoyles went through the long process of paper mache then were coated in all sorts of paint jobs. In the end we had almost a dozen detailed gargoyles menacing the art room.
Traditional gargoyles are grotesque figures that were used, especially during the middle ages, as decorative downspouts on buildings. As our first quarter spirit day approaches, the gargoyles have taken positions around the building to both show off my students’ fantastic work and add to the fun of October.
