Project Runway

This was a new lesson this year inspired by a great professional development opportunity at the Memorial Art Gallery where we worked with a clothing designer, a retired art teacher, and a student who had just graduated from high school who had explored a concept very similar to this. The Extreme Materials exhibit is always amazing, but this past year they actually did a runway show where students were able to "strut their stuff!" By this, I mean that they were given an opportunity to create clothing out of recycled materials. My students are amazing!  I love what they came up with!

I've run through this lesson twice now, and I love the results!  Problem is, it takes a LONG time!  Truth is, most good art does take a long time.  This is an important lesson for my advanced students to understand. This is also a reality that is hard to weigh in with the constraints of doing art within a school setting with 42 minute class periods.  Some students seem thrilled at the challenge and make my room their new home away from home.  The reality is, not everyone has that kind of luxury in their schedules!  I'm thinking of making this a "choice" project for the 2012-13 school year, where students will have options between this and a few other similar options.

So, the work itself... Clothing out of re-purposed or recycled materials.  As you view the photos you'll see anything from chickenwire, garbage bags, feathers... the possibilities are endless. Special thanks to the team of photographers, wardrobe malfunction repairers, and the many bystanders who came in for moral support during the building process!  My students knew that their peers were anxiously awaiting completion of the finished product.  It inspired action and commitment that was truly admirable!