Paper Mache Folk Art

This project should coincide with the section of Folk Art within the junior high curriculum.  Students should create sketches of Newfoundland imagery that they might like to use for their 3-D object. 

 Objectives

• Explore subject matter.
• Differentiate characteristics and techniques of a variety of media and to experiment with them.

 Materials

• White Glue
• Newspaper Strips
• Water
• Wallpaper Paste
• Chicken wire
• Containers for mixing/storing mache
• Wire cutters

 Have students work in groups of 2-3 and shape their chicken wire into a rough shape (based on original drawings).  Once a shape is created students will start applying paper mache on the top of the structure.  Several (3-4) layers will be necessary and once students have completed this the dry sculptures can be painted.   

There are some great tips at http://www.papiermache.co.uk/ on this medium.  There is even a discussion forum devoted to the type of art.

Another great link is http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/papermache/a/051500pm.htm where you'll find recipes for paper mache.

An odd 'real-world' application of paper mache can be seen here, as it is used in the creation of anatomical models at the Smithsonian Museum.  This is a neat site to show students!