I am absolutely overjoyed to share a very sweet email I received from Mrs. Feira Johnson, the Visual Arts teacher at Perquimans County High School in Hertford, NC. Feira visited me last year at my home studio to talk to me about how she would be teaching an upcoming unit on paper-mache and wanted to get some ideas (and purchase my beloved Petey!). I was delighted to speak with her and talk all things teaching and paper-mache!
She recently sent me an email that was extremely touching. Her high school students completed their paper-mache unit (complete with a supervising Petey in the classroom!) and they loved it! Feira called the unit the Power of Paper. The students worked on how to build a paper-mache piece all the way from the design phase where they wrote or drew out their plans for the armature before construction. They used traditional paper strips and also used paper-mache clay. Their first project involved creating monogram plaques, and their second project involved creating a piece of fruit or fast-food.
Feira said, “I also referenced your artwork throughout the unit. Your sculptures helped students better understand density, layering, texture, and form in a very real and tangible way. I especially discussed the sense of fullness and structure present in your work involving the slice of Brie. Referencing your real life art product helped to better introduce our paper clay-based sculptural approaches. The classroom has been wonderfully messy, energetic, and full of happy students. Honestly, it has been one of the most engaging units of the year.”
She included pictures (which I have the permission to share) of the amazing and creative work of her students! There’s also a great picture of Feira in there, smiling next to Petey. I am so touched that a class of high schoolers had such a joyful time making beautiful paper-mache creations and that I was a small part of their classroom success, thanks to Feira. I am so humbled to have been consulted and included in this process. Feira is a brilliant teacher and her students made such fun and unique artwork under her guidance and came up with ideas and methods I had never thought of! I am amazed and inspired by young artists – especially my friends at Perquimans County High School.
Much love, thanks, and appreciation to Feira Johnson and all of her students in Hertford!
