Creative mastery struck again with Mini Masterpieces this past July and it ended with a bang! Art educators Chris Hodge and Nylah Khan co-hosted this summer’s daily artmaking challenge. They did not disappoint with their innovative and unique ideas for transforming ordinary sticky notes. Plus, they inspired each of you to produce over 1,000 drawings in 31 days, which you can explore under the hashtag #aoeuminis. Let’s check out the fantastic mini masterpieces art teachers created this summer and see how this tiny but mighty activity can empower your students this school year.
Save the prompt list below to empower your students with Mini Masterpieces this school year!
Take the guesswork out of creating new prompts for the start of the year and download our list of Mini Masterpieces daily prompts! This resource has open-ended prompts appropriate for all ages designed to ignite your student artists’ imagination. Use a prompt daily or weekly to guide the exploration of various techniques, art materials, and personal voice.
1. Learn new techniques with open-ended prompts.
Mini Masterpieces are a perfect way for students to explore new techniques without the pressure of working large. Use sticky notes or cut scrap paper to a similar size. The small size encourages students to focus on practicing specific skills like hatching or collage without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Experiment using different art mediums with low risk and high reward.
A low-stakes environment allows for exploration and discovery. Use this project to test new or unfamiliar materials such as mixed media and embroidery. See if your students are interested in a new art form before investing in a large quantity of supplies. Plus, there is less waste when working small!
3. Alter prompts for cross-curricular collaboration.
Harness the Mini Masterpiece prompt list to meet the needs of your students and curriculum. For instance, prompts related to other subjects can offer an opportunity for cross-collaboration. For the prompt, Pollinator, you can connect with the biology teacher to create deeper connections.
4. Utilize leftover and scrap resources to promote innovation.
Mini Masterpieces are perfect for using up leftover and scrap materials. Encourage students to repurpose old magazines, fabric swatches, discarded student work, used packaging, or leftover paint. This promotes sustainability and sparks innovation as students find new ways to incorporate these materials into their mini-artworks. It teaches them the value of resourcefulness and how to make art without the need for fancy supplies.
5. Explore process and synthesis of materials using simple themes.
This project can potentially evolve into a pathway for students to explore process and synthesis in their work—a valuable skill needed for AP Art portfolios! For instance, Chris Hodge used the prompt Bloom to create a mixed-media sun print using watercolor. The sun-printed physical flowers synthesize the idea of flowers blooming.
6. Support differentiation and a diverse range of student needs.
The project’s small size and flexible nature accommodate various skill levels and artistic preferences. Within each prompt, there are lots of avenues students can explore too! For the Fashion prompt, intro students can draw a t-shirt design while advanced students can include some figure drawing. They can also draw a treasured article of clothing or use their favorite colors to allow for personalized expression. This flexibility ensures that every student can participate meaningfully, regardless of their artistic background or ability.
7. Promote reflection in the artistic process.
After completing each piece, students can analyze what worked well, reflect on their challenges, and discover how they may improve in future works. This reflection fosters critical thinking and helps them understand their creative development over time. Use visual journals or artist statements to record reflections and document evidence of progress and process.
8. Cultivate a growth mindset by fostering resilience, endurance, and discovery.
The daily practice of creating mini-sized artworks helps students build resilience and endurance in their creative practices. The small scale encourages risk-taking and learning from mistakes, ultimately promoting a growth mindset. By frequently creating on a small scale, students develop a routine that reinforces their skills and fosters continual improvement.
9. Encourage literacy through storytelling.
Each mini masterpiece can be a storytelling tool, allowing students to visually convey narratives, emotions, and ideas. For instance, encourage students to add backgrounds or environments to their pieces to add context clues for the viewer. To add a literary element, have students create poems or short stories from their finished masterpieces.
10. Create a portfolio of artworks for assessment.
By consistently working on prompts each day, students have the opportunity to create a diverse portfolio that showcases a variety of skills and ideas. The body of work also serves as a comprehensive view of their progress which is ideal for reflection and assessment. Collect student work in a mini sketchbook or portfolio to keep track of big growth!
If you missed Mini Masterpieces over the summer, it’s never too late to join in the fun! Use it as a tool to engage in your own creative practice to keep your artistic skills and mindset sharp. Bring it into the classroom for your students to introduce new techniques and inspire creativity. Highlight completed mini masterpieces to prompt reflection and generate fresh ideas. Better yet, create a tiny art gallery to show off student work in your school or end-of-year art show. Don’t forget to share new mini masterpieces on Instagram using the hashtag #aoeuminis and tag @theartofed, Chris Hodge, and Nylah Khan. We’re so excited to see what you and your students make to kick off the new school year!
What’s one innovative way you want to incorporate Mini Masterpieces in your art room this year?
What prompt did you have the most fun creating?
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
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