Middle School

Food art by Amelia S., grade six.

The Essential Question
How can we use a simple material to create 3D food art?

Objective
Students will layer air-dry modeling clay to create small food sculptures.

Materials
sketchbooks, pencils, air-dry modeling clay (various colors), examples of food art and food sculptures, reference image of selected food item

Procedures
1. Discuss food art. Show examples of traditional and contemporary food art, focusing on sculpture. As an extension, discuss faux food, food photography, and its use in commercial advertisements.
2. Students choose a food item and create thumbnail drawings in their sketchbooks. Students can use a reference photo of their food item to capture various details.
3. Students gather small amounts of the colored modeling clay required to create their food item.
4. Students create, layer, and assemble the individual pieces of their chosen food item.

Assessment
Did students create a realistic rendering of their chosen food item?

Linda Rank is an art teacher at Bertha Sadler Means Young Womenʼs Leadership Academy in Austin, Texas.