Coin Purses & Sunglass Cases Workshop :)

On October 20^th my group facilitated the second workshop put on by our class on the U of A mall. After all of our hard work planning and preparing for this workshop, we finally were able to experience it with our classmates and those who joined in after seeing us on the mall.

Using bicycle tubing and other recycled bicycle parts we were able to make coin purses, sunglass cases and/or key chains to donate to the art auction. In preparation for the workshop, my group got to the mall early to set up the tables and tent. We were able to advertise for BICAS on one table, and use the other to organize our workshop supplies. We were also able to set up a shade structure, which was comfortable for our workshop participants. As an extra little treat, some members in our class even brought food!

The workshop mainly consisted of our classmates sewing the coin purses and sunglass cases, but we had a few passer-by’s who were either interested in hearing about BICAS, or eager to join in on the fun. We were able to collect some donations, and one of our classmates coin purses was even purchased by a workshop participant!

By the end of the workshop there were some amazing pieces created that will be sold at the art auction. Our workshop participants did a great job making their purses and sunglasses cases original, by adding their own personal touch. Working on the mall was a fun way to advertise for BICAS, while having the opportunity to contribute to the cause as well.

Next up, we have the Art Auction to look forward to!!

Preparing for the Workshop!

A few weeks ago our group finalized our plan for the October 20^th workshop on the U of A mall. We decided to dedicate this workshop to make coin purses and sunglasses cases to donate to BICAS to be sold at their annual Art Auction. There was a lot of in class preparation, as well as time spent at BICAS.

Saturday, October 15, our group met at BICAS to gather our materials and create some examples for display (these would be placed on the table advertising for our workshop). Working for a few hours, we managed to put together a few examples of what we intended to make the following Thursday at our workshop.

Before going to BICAS we had discussed a few different ways we intended to make our coin purses/sunglass cases. It was interesting to see how our plans differed from actually creating and working with the materials. To start off our groundwork we collected and cleaned a bunch of bolts, nuts, and other small bike pieces to work with as our purse fasteners. We also had to cut and clean the rubber tubing, which is what we used as the main material for our projects.

After we had all of our materials ready, we each made one or two example bags. I first started with making a coin purse and then made a sunglasses case. Both turned out pretty good, considering they were my first ones.

When I finished these display items, I thought it would be a good idea to cut the rubber tubing into templates for the workshop, this way when people wanted to make things, they had their materials ready to go, all they needed to do was sew. Another thing I did to help prepare was sewing some fasteners onto the rubber strips; this was also to save time for the upcoming workshop.

One last idea we had was to make key chains. We made a few of these, using wire and the small recycled bicycle pieces BICAS uses with their jewelry making. Our main idea was to have a variety of possibilities for those who were taking place in the workshop. We wanted both male and females to feel welcomed and comfortable creating and contributing.

By the end of the day, we felt confident about our upcoming workshop. We were prepared and ready to host the coin purse and sunglasses case workshop on the U of A mall.

Sugar Skulls a Success

Concluding tonights workshop more people attended than was anticipated!!! For a total of 9 people who joined in on the sugar skull workshop there was a ton of decorating from creative minds tonight.

Four high school students (2 of which had never been to BICAS before) were the top decorators and skull makers of the night!!! About half way through our workshop two more individuals showed up wanting to get in on the fun (1 who also had never been to BICAS either) and were able to grab up the last few dried skulls to decorate.

I was very pleased with the new audience members who showed up to decorate sugar skulls - come to find out this workshop has never been done at BICAS before and I hope to do it again next year - I had quietly also proposed a Christmas Sugar Skull Workshop as well!!! I do feel this workshop was a success brining new individuals to BICAS many of which were not aware of the upcoming Annual Art Auction so that was a good plug during the workshop. My highlight of the night was helping one of the high school girls have the courage to ask Casey about volunteer work or a possible future internship down the road as her passion is to be able to weld, work on bikes and serve the community as a career - I was pleased to be able to help her get involved and set up with Casey to start volunteering at BICAS as soon as this weekend!!

BICAS Art Complete by Fenster Students

Tuesday, October 24th, 2011

Monday was the last day for my students to finish up their artwork to be donated to BICAS for their Annual Art Auction. With not every students participation we managed to get about 5 pieces of artwork to donate (not to bad for a school of 14 students total)!! Throughout this project I found it to be very difficult to incorporate the sugar skulls with the bicycle art - it seemed to only be manageable if I were to give each student their own wood plank or type of structured frame in order to be able to attach the delicate sugar skulls.

As well as the students completing their work - I managed to finish up my own art project for BICAS donation - I be be giving Casey all of the artwork today before I conduct the Sugar Skull Workshop at BICAS from 4-7pm - Please bring all of your friends!!!

Beginning of Bike Part Assembly

Oct. 2oth

Today I brought the BICAS bicycle parts into the classroom for art assembly - the students went nuts!! They loved sifting through all of the different parts - the later realized they were going to get dirty and decided to put on aprons.

Not all of the students wanted to play with the bike parts and instead finished their oil paintings - which I felt was ok to do. The others spent all class period trying to make something new out of the parts other than the ideas I showed them - including mask making, belt assembly, and bracelets. One student made a bike out of the bicycle parts (seen in the photo to the left) - another went ahead and made a belt. Others are still working on making monster statues or something of the sort.

We will continue working on the bike parts through Wednesday of next week - possibly by Tuesday in which I would be able to bring the assembled works of art to BICAS when conducting the Sugar Skull Workshop Tuesday, COt. 25th 4-7pm!! Hope to see you all there!!!

Fenster Sugar Skull & Bike Parts

Oct. 18th

Tuesday was the day to begin our sugar skull making at Fenster - 10lbs of sugar and one bag of meringue later the classroom was full of colorful drying skulls! To my surprise the sugar skulls were a huge hit and kept each class period engaged the full 2 hrs of class (which never happens).

Next step is to let the skulls dry till next class on Thursday for decoration and incorporation of bicycle parts.

Made my way to BICAS the after teaching classes to pick up bicycle parts. As I was there I had mentioned to Casey from BICAS about using the sugar skulls as a part of the art to be donated - as she replies "oh I've always wanted to learn to make sugar skulls"!! So there we have it - Set up for October 25th @ BICAS I will conduct a Sugar Skull Workshop - I think this will be very exciting and I'm interested to see if different people will show up - rather than the normal BICAS workshop goers!!!

BICAS Introduction to Fenster Students

October 14th - My High School students were introduced to BICAS. I explained to them the intentions of BICAS as well as what they provide. One aspect being their workshops using various bike parts to make art.

As a part of my plan of action, I have decided to allow my students to make their own works of art out of bike parts that once completed will be donated to BICAS for their annual art auction to be held in December. Since my students are in a boarding school there is lack of time and accessibility to bring them to BICAS for a workshop. Instead, I made the decision to go to BICAS and pick up various bicycle parts for the students to rummage through!!

To make this plan of study a bit more exciting for the students I have also decided to incorporate making sugar skulls in celebration of the upcoming Day of the Dead festival. Students will make sugar skulls the following week, decorate them, and try to incorporate the skulls with the bike parts!