Mixed Media Collages by Kids – Inspired by Sabrina Ward Harrison

In my last post, I showed you some of Sabrina Ward Harrison’s artwork and talked about what she shared with us at her artist visit.  Her artwork is very inspiring, messy and beautiful.  Please check out the other post to learn all about this artist.

After the presentation, smaller groups of kids in grades 3-6 had a collage workshop with Sabrina.  She demonstrated how to use Mod-Podge to paste down pieces of her pinwheel shape. While she demonstrated the pinwheel shape design,  the kids were not required to use that as their compositional structure.  With the second group, she emphasized more that they could do whatever they wanted, so the artworks were more varied.  When it was time for the students to begin, we had piles of tissue paper, fabric, patterned papers and textures for the kids to dive into.  Students also brought some of their own materials, textures, paper and fabrics from home.

The kids set to work!  Cutting and decoupaging.

We had long tables set up with lots of materials and space.  I think this was the largest group I have done a messy art workshop with.

I like how this student managed to find his name on one of the papers.

This collage was particularly interesting because this heavy green cloth was actually a toilet seat cover he brought from home!  I told him that I hoped he asked his parents for permission to use it.  He assured me that he did.

I thought this “No no no no no Prepasted–” was very avant-garde and reminded me of Dada art.

Back in the classroom, some of the students added acrylic paint and Kwik Stix to color backgrounds. 

Have you heard of Sabrina Ward Harrison’s artwork before?

Have you done open-ended mixed media collages with your students?

Special Supplies Used:

•  Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint
• Mod Podge

If you are interested in Sabrina’s books, check them out here:

Messy Thrilling Life: The Art of Figuring Out How to Live

And the Story Is Happening

The True and the Questions: A Journal

Messy Thrilling Life: The Art of Figuring Out How to Live

Brave on the Rocks: If You Don’t Go, You Don’t See

Spilling Open: The Art of Becoming Yourself

(Affiliate Links have been used.)