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Lesson Plans


Trash vs treasures

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Scurfield (scurfield)
Thu, 06 May 1999 10:01:13 -0500

I have fantasized about running some kind of recyclables warehouse for
art teachers. I know they exist throughout the country. I am a
compulsive saver and unfortunately am making myself and my family a bit
nuts with this.

My favorites:

1. Computer vinyl--from sign shops--This is similar to the most
gorgeous contact paper. Kids cut out shapes, peel off the backing paper
and stick down to a variety of surfaces--slick, like a plastic plate,
works best. I found out about this from Dave Robinson at the Vero Beach
Florida Center for the Arts at a kitemaking workshop. We have used this
material in a variety of ways for family days at the Wichita Art Museum.

2. About an hour's drive north of Vero Beach (help me out here South
Florida teachers--I don't remember exactly where) was a factory which
made football helmets. The punch-outs of the foam rubber lining make
incredible stamps. Almost every community has amazing punch-outs from
industry which can be used to great advantage if you can find people to
alert you to them and save them for you. Of course, safety is a factor
here. Be sure the materials are non-toxic and too big to swallow.

3. My local grocery store (Dillons) photo lab saves for me cardboard
cylinders that the photographic paper comes on--also the black plastic
"wheels" inside these cylinders, and film containers.

4. Framing shops will save you the matboard cut from the inside of
mats--millions of uses for that.

5. I saw some incredible figures at our recent art show created from
old bowling pins which had been painted with acrylic paint.

Can't wait to hear about your finds.--Marcia

  • Reply: gregjuli: "Re: Trash vs treasures"