Paper Sculpture inspired by BiJian Fan

Paper sculptor BiJian Fan learned paper folding and cutting art from his grandmother while growing up in Communist China. With this inspiration, Learning To See students explore the infinite possibilities of a piece of paper following rules that BiJian has sometimes used in his pieces: only cutting and folding; nothing can be added or taken away! Learn more about BiJian at www.BiJian.com.

The artwork below was produced in middle school classrooms at Anacapa Middle in Ventura, Isbell Middle in Santa Paula and Rio del Valle Middle School in Oxnard.

Thank you to the Ruth & Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts for generously funding these residencies.

Click on each image to see the full size.

Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture

Mia C., Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture

Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture

Kayla G., Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture

Ansel B., Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture

Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture

Jessica, Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture 2

Brandon, Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture

Isabella, Rio del Valle Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Isabella M., Rio del Valle Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Juan, Rio del Valle Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Ana, Rio del Valle Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Jayden, Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture

Christian, Rio del Valle Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Sadie N., Rio del Valle, Paper Sculpture

Anna, Grade 6, Anacapa Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Maya, Grade 6, Anacapa Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Samantha, Grade 6, Anacapa Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Aubrey, Grade 6, Anacapa Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Brianna, Grade 8, Isbell Middle School, Paper Sculpture 2

Brianna, Grade 8, Isbell Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Brittany, Grade 8, Isbell Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Jazzlin, Grade 8, Isbell Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Jose, Grade 7, Isbell Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Jonathan, Grade 8, Isbell Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Marlene, Grade 8, Isbell Middle School, Paper Sculpture

Funding

Our standard 8-week in-the-classroom residency is $800 (including instructor and supplies). You can “Adopt A Classroom” for $800.00. Click HERE to Donate.

Learning to See Outreach (LTS) is a multi-lesson, sequential, cross-curricular arts education program and aligns with California education standards serving grades K-8. LTS emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, celebration of diversity, confidence in self-expression, and supports social emotional learning. Many lessons highlight the art and life of extraordinary artists from our community whose work is rooted in their cultural heritage.

LTS is taught by professional artists who have extensive educational experience. We feel that this criterion helps to guide the student with a deeper understanding of the art making process.Lessons are inspired by FOTM documented artists from our community and include a comprehensive range of art concepts, styles and media.

Programs are supported in a variety of ways, including school and PTA funds, grants, or personal donations from an individual or group of family/friends.

For more information, or to arrange a residency in your neighborhood, call 805.653.2501 or email Education@FocusontheMasters.com.

SUPPORT

Your donations support the programs that are at the heart of the FOTM’s mission…

to document and archive extraordinary artists and their work through photographic portraits, audio and video interviews and biographical research that encompass each artist’s experiences, artistic reflections and development; and 2) to present this work to a broad public through extensive education outreach to all ages – including at-risk youth through our Learning to See Youth Outreach program, Art & The Creative Spirit Enrichment Program for Seniors, a public monthly Artist Spotlight Series, exhibitions, publications, website and an extensive resource library.

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