Using Project 52 in the Classroom

I teach an introductory high school art class where the focus is on drawing. However, I believe the students are served better by exposing them to several artistic media. With photography, I like to include it in our daily art analysis or in extra credit offerings. In the past, they could photograph any public art they saw and print that out for extra credit. However, many of the students have camera phones, some have access to DSLRs, and most are connected online into social media groups so we started a Project 52. Each week a new theme is given and at any week a student can jump in or out of participating. They submit their work to a Facebook page (Skye Snyder Photography  or NvArtworks) or hashtag (#skye52) on Instagram. Friends can post for other friends if they are not members of those social media groups. I like the idea of sharing our inspiration. It's extra credit. It expands their artistic eye by having the tool so readily at their fingertips--the moment of inspiration can be captured and shared easily.

This week's theme is organic. Last year I was fortunate to have a box of educational skulls delivered to my studio by the wildlife department. My K-4th grade students used them not only to learn about mammals but as studies for our Georgia O'Keeffe inspired paintings. I knew I wanted to photograph them while I had them but didn't know quite what I wanted from them.

I, too, am participating in the project. I want to be more mindful as I am composing and spend more time turning over themes in my head. I want to improve my storytelling skills in one single image and force myself to improve my technical skills. I tend to avoid using techniques that I am not familiar with instead of learning them.

From another trip to the California Academy of Sciences, I photographed a wall of foliage in the biosphere area. Again, thinking for a future project. The formulas are from a partially erased chalkboard.

The results are the compilation of these two moments.

2/52  |   O R G A N I C
puma concolor  |  the mountain lion

ursus americanus  |  the black bear

If you would like to share your ORGANIC inspired art, upload to the Skye Snyder Photography Facebook Wall or tag using the hashtag #skye52 on Instagram. I am @skyesnyder on IG. Look forward to seeing your images!! This is open to anyone who is looking to participate in a supportive, creative online community.

Missed week one? Here is the link