Discover how artists use everyday objects in creative ways! Transform an old memento into a dazzling picture frame and use Crayola® Bright Fabric Markers to preserve its memory with decorative designs.

• 1.

  *Note: Students will need to bring an item from home for this lesson. See steps below.

• 2.

  Have you ever thought of a spoon as a work of art? Artists frequently find creative, unconventional uses for ordinary objects. That style or technique is known as Found Object Art. While most people think of a spoon as an eating utensil, an artist might envision a spoon as the stem of a flower. Why would an artist want to use found objects in their work? Discuss some ideas with your class.

• 3.

  Using found objects in artwork can give new purpose to an old, outdated, or non-functioning item. Something that might be considered trash can be recycled and made new again! View work by found object artists, like Marcel Duchamp or Zac Freeman. What is interesting and unique about their artwork? What everyday items do they utilize?

• 4.

  What items do you have that can be transformed into a work of art? Create a memory frame using the fabric from a special keepsake that will hold a photo of a related memory. For best results, use 100% cotton fabric. Do you have a stuffed toy that was won on a family trip to an amusement park? Perhaps you have an old backpack from your first day of kindergarten!

• 5.

  Carefully cut enough fabric from your memento to cover a 4x6 wooden picture frame using Crayola Blunt-Tip Scissors. Consider covering the frame in patchwork style to use fabric pieces from the entire item. Are there patches, buttons, embroidery or other unique features on the keepsake that you want to include on the memory frame as well?

• 6.

  Place the wooden picture frame with the front facing up on a flat, hard surface, like a table or desk. Cover your work area with recycled newspaper. Spread fabric glue over the edges of the wooden frame and snugly wrap the frame with your fabric pieces. Attach any buttons or other accessories from your keepsake over the fabric.

• 7.

  Add a title, caption, or decorative details to the memory frame with Crayola Bright Fabric Markers! Draw your design, making sure you saturated the cloth. When you are finished, ask an adult to iron your design. Set iron on cotton setting and iron on the reverse side using a back and forth motion for 4 minutes. This will fix the color to the fabric. Stain Advisement: Fabric markers are permanent on clothing and contain colorants that may stain household surfaces. Wear a smock to protect clothing and cover your work surface. Recap markers as soon as possible and store in a horizontal position. Do not shake markers.

• 8.

  Add a photograph related to the memory of your keepsake. Present your frame to the class and share your memories of that special event or time.

Standards

• LA: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
• LA: Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
• LA: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
• LA: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.
• MATH: Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit.
• SCI: Design a device that replaces an external structure and analyze data on its physical properties to compare alternative solutions to the problem.
• VA: Intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of experiences and ideas.
• VA: Select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of ideas.
• VA: Compare multiple purposes for creating works of art.

Adaptations

• Possible classroom resource includes: Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids by Gail Gibbons
• Students investigate artists that have created artworks using recycled materials such as Andrew Chase and Derek Gores. What materials were used? How did the artists think outside of typical uses to use recycled materials?
• Organize a nature walk for students. Encourage students to gather natural objects along the walk. Small logs or sticks with interesting patterns of bark, vividly colored leaves and flowers are a few examples. Use these objects in original artwork.
• Students compose a summary paragraph to accompany their recycled art which includes what materials they used, how the piece was constructed, what inspired their art, etc. Display summary paragraphs with student models.