Learning to Sculpt

January 31, 2013, 9:00 pm by Adam Troxtell

Fifth graders are hard at work in Vickie Veil's art class at Marble Falls Elementary making their own sculptures after learning about famous sculptor Edgar Degas.

Early in the school year, children at Marble Falls Elementary got the chance to see the works of a professional artist up close when a traveling display graced the school’s main hallway, and it is now the inspiration behind a class project.

Between Jan. 14 and Jan. 18, the works of French artist Edgar Degas, known for both painting and sculpture work, were displayed on banners for classes to observe. Now, the fifth grade class is using the knowledge they gained from the display to make their own sculptures.

"He does a lot of work with people in motion,” art teacher Vickie Weil said. "That’s what we’re basing it off of.”

Children started their sculptures using a metal wire base, contorting it into the shape of a figure in action, such as an athlete or a dancer. Later they will apply aluminum foil and a plaster mold before painting their sculpture.

For the full story, see Friday's Highlander.