In preparation for their upcoming Hawai‘i Island Outdoor Education trip, Punahou fifth graders in Katie Snyder’s art classes have been creating mixed-media artworks inspired by the plants, animals and natural forces they will encounter on their journey.
Students began by sculpting clay frames, adding three-dimensional details such as leaves, flowers, waves, clouds and even volcanic imagery. One student, inspired by Pele, incorporated flames and glazed his frame a vibrant red.
The centerpiece of each frame is a repoussé artwork made from tooling foil, a heavier-gauge aluminum. Using dull pencils and wooden tools, students pressed designs from the back of the metal to create raised images of native birds, fish, sharks, volcanoes and other Hawai‘i Island elements. An outline of black paint added definition and depth to each piece.
The completed foil artworks, set into the handcrafted clay frames, beautifully reflect the students’ creativity and their growing connection to Hawai‘i Island. As they prepare for their outdoor education adventure, their art offers a meaningful preview of the natural world they will soon explore.
Photos by Kathleen Connelly