Visual Arts
Jay M Robinson Middle School
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte NC
Art Teacher: Melissa Leftwich
follow us on Instagram at artatjmr
2020 Winter School Exhibit
Students were inspired by the works of Alphonse Mucha. They first chose a hero, villain or mythological character to update. Then, students applied Mucha inspired compositional techniques including the following:
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Asymmetry
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Simplified and bold shapes
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Outlined in black or brown (like a coloring book)
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Lots of patterns
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Circles, curves, and spirals
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Florals
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Leaves and Vegetables
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Cycles (life cycle, zodiac, moon…)
Finally, students applied a variety of watercolor techniques to their portraits. Techniques included:
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Wet on wet
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Dry brushing
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Spattering
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Graded washing
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Layering
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Dry Brushing
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Salting
The resulting watercolor portraits are rich in symbolism and personal meaning.
Eighth grade students created original tunnel books based on the designs of diorama and paper sculpture artists.
The process began when students chose a poem, song excerpt, inspirational quote OR wrote an original piece. That piece became the inspiration for the tunnel book.
Students applied deep and shallow space techniques to create a 3 dimensional book with several layers. Techniques included changing the level of details, overlapping elements, changing the size of the objects.
Each layer was painted using less vibrant colors and less details for the background layers and brighter colors and more details for the foreground layers.
The book was assembled in an accordion frame. The inspirational writing as well as a title page was created.
2019 Fall Tunnel Books
2019-20 Art Showcase Awards
Eight students participated in the 2019 State Art Showcase Competition.
Two of our participants, Avery and Ian earned first place trophies for their work. Zahra and Adaora both earned honorable mentions. This was Ian's second year in a row to win a first place in the sculpture category.
This year's theme was based on a poem by North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green. The poem, For All the Children, explored concepts such as "it takes a village", the importance of family and community, and the contrast between being a fierce warrior and a nurturing adult.
In addition to the individual awards, our team of students placed first in the state.
2018 Imaginon Exhibit
Students were invited to participate in an exhibit at Imaginon in Uptown Charlotte in the fall of 2018. The exhibit featured artworks based on the musical Matilda which was in production at the same time the works were displayed.
Students in 6th grade created paper collages that connected to one of the themes of Matilda: the love for reading, friendship, the supernatural, good VS evil.
Seventh and eighth graders also connected to one of the themes in Matilda. They created oil pastel drawings.
2018-19 Art Showcase Awards
Our first place in the state Art Showcase team also won several individual awards at the state competition in Durham in February of 2019.
Sophia, Leann, Ian, and Sophie earned first place trophies for their works. Leann's mixed media piece also won Best in Show for the middle school division. Leann also competed in the 2017-18 Art Showcase and won first in the collage category. This was Sophie's second time to win first place in the photography category.
The theme this year was "Selfie: No Filter." Student artwork explored the dangers of social media, how to be true to oneself, toxic friendships, and hidden illnesses.
2017-18 Art Showcase Awards
The Art Showcase theme this year was based on a poem by North Carolina Poet Laureate Shelby Stevenson. The poem explored the the life of a slave girl named July.
Amy, Leann, Sophie, and Meghan each placed first in their categories.
Amy's mixed media piece won Best in Show for the middle school division. Meghan's drawing won The Poet's Choice Award. Shelby Stevenson was present at the awards ceremony and met all of our students. It was such a wonderful exchange of thoughts. Students asked questions and received thoughtful answers and praise by the poet.
2016 Scholastic Art Awards
Congratuations to these art award winners!
Several students participated in the 2016 Regional Scholastic Art + Writing contest.
Three of our participants earned national recognitions for their work. Francesca G and Samhitha M both earned national silver awards.
Reagan M earned a gold award (highest level of award) and the national "Best in Show" award for 7th grade art. She and her family (along with their grateful art teacher) were invited to the national awards ceremony hosted in NYC at the famed Carnegie Hall.
