High School

The Essential Question
How can art honor and preserve the stories of people from the past?

Objective
Students will research or reflect on a historical figure, ancestor, or community and create an inspired quilt square.

Materials

• heavyweight paper or cardstock (for quilt squares)
• colored construction paper (slightly larger, for backing)
• paint
• printmaking tools (brushes, sponges, stamps)
• fabric scraps
• thread or embroidery floss (for stitching)
• paper-stitching tools (needles, blunt tools, or hole punchers)
• glue or découpage medium
• scissors or craft knives
• colored pencils
• markers
• pens
• found objects and small trinkets (e.g., buttons and leaves)
  
  

Step 1
Discuss how quilts have historically been used to tell stories and honor people or events. Show examples of traditional and contemporary art quilts, focusing on symbolism and storytelling.

Step 2
Have students choose a historical figure, ancestor, or community they want to honor. Students can research or reflect through writing or discussion to identify key traits, symbols, or imagery that represent their subject.

Step 3
Students sketch a rough design of their quilt square, deciding on composition, color scheme, and which materials and symbols to include.

Step 4
On heavyweight paper or cardstock, students begin by using paint, printmaking tools, or found textures to create a patterned background.

Step 5
Students add collage elements, painting, drawing, or other planned methods and materials to complete their designs. Encourage them to emphasize thoughtful layering of media and symbols to tell a story.

Step 6
Students mount their finished artwork onto a slightly larger piece of construction paper, creating a border. Using embroidery floss or thread, they stitch through both layers to attach them, mimicking the look of a quilt square.

Assessment
Does the artwork clearly honor a person or group from the past with meaningful symbols? Were mixed-media elements (printmaking, stitching, collage, found objects) used thoughtfully?

Nicole Herbst is an art teacher for Sturgeon Bay Schools in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.