Middle School

The Essential Question
How can we explore form and three-dimensional space?

Objective
Students will use papier-mâché to create a three-dimensional pumpkin.

Materials
newspaper, masking tape, glue, water, paint, paintbrushes, papier-mâché paste

Procedures
1. Show students the pumpkin-themed sculptures and installations of contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. Ask students what they see. Explain to them that they will create their own pumpkin sculptures using papier-mâché.
2. Students use newspaper to shape their form and create the armature of their sculpture and to mold a stem, leaves, and other features. They practice their “L-bracket” (placing tape vertically to hold two pieces together, then placing another piece of tape horizontally to hold the first piece stable).
3. Students rip newspaper into 1" to 2" strips. They dip the strips into the papier-mâché mixture and overlap to cover their armature. Students apply one to three layers of strips to their pumpkin. Let the sculptures dry for twenty-four hours.
4. Students paint their pumpkins as desired. To finish the project, they choose a solid color for the background and let it dry. Then they paint a pattern of dots and shapes with the back handle of a paintbrush in the color of their choice.

Assessment
Did students make a 3D form, learn best painting practices, and make connections to the work of artist Yayoi Kusama?

Jenna Schuck is an art teacher at Kirk Middle School in Newark, Delaware.