KINDERGARTEN
Dancing Alphabet
pARTners collaborated with Dancers’ Workshop to teach kindergarteners the letters of the alphabet through dance and visual art.
“It has been so rewarding to have seen all my children perform in the Dancing Alphabet! A true kindergarten rite of passage.”
– Buffy Allan, parent and TCSD #1 teacher
1ST GRADE | JES, CES, WES, MMES
Learning about Light through Kaleidoscopes
Students worked with pARTners artists to construct and decorate their own kaleidoscopes. This creative project supports their science standard on how light reflects off different surfaces. They also learned that the smaller the angle, the more reflection they observe in their kaleidoscope.
2ND GRADE
Parfleches and the Importance of Buffalo in Native Cultures
Al Hubbard, an artist and educator from the Northern Arapahoe Tribe, visited second-grade classrooms to teach students about parfleches and the significance of the buffalo in Native culture. The students then created their own parfleches, using symbols that best represented their lives.
“I love this new 1st project! A great STEAM project for our students to learn about the properties of light. My class loved making the kaleidoscopes.”
– Jen Fischer
1st Grade Teacher at JES
2ND GRADE
Tipi Education and Art
Eugene Ridgebear, the Culture Resource Specialist of the Northern Arapahoe Tribe, visited 2nd graders at Colter Elementary to talk to the students about the form and function of tipis. First, students made small watercolor tipis to practice the creative art-form specific to the Northern Arapahoe culture. They then worked in small groups with pARTners artists to decorate larger canvas tipis based on native symbols and stories they had written.
2ND GRADE | WES, MMES, CES
Wyoming Topographic Maps
Students created a 3-D topographic map of Wyoming and Teton National Park to identify and learn about the physical features and landforms of the state and region.
2ND GRADE
Mythical Creatures and Fairies (Drawing, Painting, Symmetry, and Imagination)
2nd-grade students expanded their drawing and storytelling skills by designing mythical creatures or fairies. This project encourages students to explore facial features, symmetrical wing patterns, and environmental storytelling by designing habitats for their creations. Using metallic watercolors and a variety of drawing tools, students added magic and sparkle to their work while learning about composition, symmetry, and creative self-expression.
3RD GRADE
Ledger Art
Joanne Bring Thunder, a renowned Shoshone artist and the great-great-granddaughter of Chief Washakie, recently visited third-grade classrooms to educate students about Ledger Art. This unique form of Native American artwork conveys significant stories through illustrations. The term “Ledger Art” originates from the late 1800s when Native American artists began using ledger paper, traditionally used for accounting, as their canvas. Joanne emphasized the importance of preserving Native stories and memories, a tradition that began with painting on animal hides before the advent of paper.
3RD GRADE
Alebrijes Inspired Paper-Mache Masks
Students embarked on an extraordinary journey into Mexican folk art, creating vibrant alebrije-inspired masks. Over several weeks and numerous art classes, students explored various materials, including plaster, paper cache, CelluClay, acrylic paints, fluorescent, and glow-in-the-dark paints. Using dotting tools, they designed intricate patterns and textures that brought their fantastical creatures to life.
“I loved this project because I was able to relax and be creative. I hope we can do it again in the future.”
– 4th Grade Student
4TH GRADE | JES, CES, MMES
Oregon Trail Flash Fiction and POP Art Inspired Watercolors
Students selected historical photos from the Oregon Trail era and wrote flash fiction letters depicting life on the trail, based on these primary resources. They then collaborated with a local artist to create watercolor photo transfers inspired by Pop Art.
4TH GRADE | JES, CES
Creating Fossils through Art
Students learned about different arts careers, with classroom visits from a local architect.
4TH GRADE | JES
Careers in the Arts
Students learned about different arts careers, with classroom visits from a local architect.
5TH GRADE | JES
Mexican Folklore Creatures
Students delved into Mexican folk art by designing surreal creatures inspired by a dreamlike realm. They utilized their creativity to conceptualize a unique creature, which they subsequently crafted using papier-mâché techniques and decorated with acrylic and glow-in-the-dark-paints, enabling the sculptures to illuminate in the dark.
5TH GRADE | MMES
Variables in Art
In our interdisciplinary Science in Art project, students honed their observation skills by selecting a scientific or natural image and recreating it through a variety of artistic lenses. Each student explored multiple media – including graphite, colored pencil, pastel, watercolor, and marker – to interpret their chosen image in unique ways. This iterative process not only developed their technical skills but also deepened their understanding of visual communication and experimentation. Through this project, students learned how scientific observation and artistic expression intersect.
5TH GRADE
Native Beading Project
Joanne Brings Thunder, a renowned Shoshone artist, showcased the intricate beadwork of the moccasins she creates and wears for ceremonial purposes. The students then had the opportunity to practice the basic box stitch and make beaded keychains.
“The new Indigenous projects are truly amazing, and the kids were highly engaged and involved. pARTners brought artist, Joanne Brings Thunder from the Shoshone Tribe, to teach students about Ledger Art and Native Beading. They had the opportunity to ask questions and touch the various artifacts and pieces of art. This was an invaluable learning experience, and students came away from the project with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the culture.”
– James Howell, Principal at CES
6-8TH Grade | JHMS
Endangered Species Chalk Art
Students created beautiful pieces of chalk art with several pARTners artists to highlight the importance of the Endangered Species Act. Through their artwork, they create awareness of what animals are considered endangered.
6-8TH Grade
Sage Grouse Paper-Mache Project
Students collaborated with a local wildlife biologist to create papier-mâché sage grouse to support the grouse rehabilitation project. They used these art pieces as decoys to attract grouse to a new and healthier ecosystem. A partner’s artist worked with them to hone their paper mache skills and learn about form and function.
9TH-12TH GRADE | JHHS
Raku Pottery
Students learned the basics of this 16th Century Japanese art form and created their own pieces using this special firing technique. This year, pARTners purchased JHHS their own Raku Kiln ($3,000) so that they had the ability to make this unique type of pottery on campus.
9TH-12TH GRADE | JHHS
AP Art Portfolio Review and Coaching
Students worked with several local artists to receive feedback on their art portfolios and advice about next steps in their art careers.
9TH-12TH GRADE | JHHS
Birds of Prey
Jackson Hole High School’s Woodshop and Sculpture classes collaborated with local sculptor Ben Roth to create raven sculptures, integrating local environment themes and materials. Woodshed students crafted raven silhouettes, while sculpture students added texture using found materials. The completed sculptures are displayed in the school’s rotunda.
9TH-12TH GRADE | JHHS
Ecology of the GYE Nature Journals
Ecology students collaborated with local artists to master the use of watercolors, colored pencils, and black ink for accurately depicting nature. Thanks to PARTners, each student received an artist’s sketchbook and various supplies. They guided the students in observing their surroundings and using the art materials to vividly bring their observations to life.
“pARTners is an asset to our schools. We can learn through art exploration and guest artists. Students are engaged in the lessons and enjoy learning through art.”
– Lauren Brzozowski
Art Teacher at JES
