Interested in learning about American artist Alexander Calder? This article features four projects that provide opportunities for elementary artists to discover Calder with fun and engaging hands-on art projects.
Begin by reading a little about Alexander Calder, and then dive into a project or two.
Hey Kids, Meet Alexander Calder – Biography for Kids
Alexander Calder was born in 1898, in Lawnton, Pennsylvania. He was born into a family of artists. His father Alexander Stirling Calder was a prominent sculptor who created many public sculptures in the Philadelphia area. Calder’s mother, Nanette Lederer Calder, was a professional portrait painter who studied art in Paris before moving to Philadelphia where she met her husband Alexander Stirling Calder. In 1902, at the age of four, Alexander completed his first sculpture – a clay elephant. In 1909, when he was in the fourth grade, Alexander sculpted a dog and a duck from a sheet of brass. The duck, which could rock back and forth, is one of his earliest examples of his interest in kinetic (moving) sculpture…
Alexander Calder – Art Masterpiece Cookie
This art project provides students with an opportunity to create their own masterpiece on a sugar cookie after Calder’s work. Art lessons have never been this delicious!
Here are the materials that you will need for this project:
4″ Sugar Cookies
Cookie Frosting
Food Coloring
Popsicle Sticks or Paint Brushes
Icing Bag (or sandwich bag with corner cut)
Create Your Own Calder Mobile
Alexander Calder invented the mobile. Even though it is more common to see a mobile spinning above a baby’s crib than in a museum, it actually began as a work of art. This project will give kids an opportunity to create a kinetic (moving) work of art in the style of Alexander Calder.
Here are the materials that you will need for this art project:
Construction Paper
Scissors
Hole Punch
Thread (or yarn for younger children)
Sticks
White Glue
Wire Sculpture Horse
Alexander Calder is famous for his wire frame miniature circus, which he performed often. This art project will give students an opportunity to create a wire sculpture of their own.
Here are the materials that you will need for this art project:
Medium Gauge Wire
Wire Sculpture Horse Pattern (provided on site)
Plyers
Wire Cutter
Create Your Own Calder Stabile
Alexander Calder also created stabiles. These non-moving works possess the same unique qualities as his mobiles, and provide children an opportunity to create an abstract sculpture. Visit Calder.org (The Official Calder Web site) to view a few of his works.
Try creating Big Bird. The original sculpture was made of sheet metal, wire and paint. A simple reproduction can be created from construction paper, wire and glue. Simply cut each shape out three times and spread glue between each layer. When the glue dries you will have a sturdy shape. Finish the project by assembling the shapes.
Here are the materials that you will need for this art project:
Construction Paper
Wire
White Glue
