More Than a Memory

Discover how artists use everyday objects in creative ways! Transform an old memento into a dazzling picture frame and use Crayola® Bright Fabric Markers to preserve its memory with decorative designs.

• 1.

  *Note: Students will need to bring an item from home for this lesson. See steps below.

• 2.

  Have you ever thought of a spoon as a work of art? Artists frequently find creative, unconventional uses for ordinary objects. That style or technique is known as Found Object Art. While most people think of a spoon as an eating utensil, an artist might envision a spoon as the stem of a flower. Why would an artist want to use found objects in their work? Discuss some ideas with your class.

• 3.

  Using found objects in artwork can give new purpose to an old, outdated, or non-functioning item. Something that might be considered trash can be recycled and made new again! View work by found object artists, like Marcel Duchamp or Zac Freeman. What is interesting and unique about their artwork? What everyday items do they utilize?

• 4.

  What items do you have that can be transformed into a work of art? Create a memory frame using the fabric from a special keepsake that will hold a photo of a related memory. For best results, use 100% cotton fabric. Do you have a stuffed toy that was won on a family trip to an amusement park? Perhaps you have an old backpack from your first day of kindergarten!

• 5.

  Carefully cut enough fabric from your memento to cover a 4x6 wooden picture frame using Crayola Blunt-Tip Scissors. Consider covering the frame in patchwork style to use fabric pieces from the entire item. Are there patches, buttons, embroidery or other unique features on the keepsake that you want to include on the memory frame as well?

• 6.

  Place the wooden picture frame with the front facing up on a flat, hard surface, like a table or desk. Cover your work area with recycled newspaper. Spread fabric glue over the edges of the wooden frame and snugly wrap the frame with your fabric pieces. Attach any buttons or other accessories from your keepsake over the fabric.

• 7.

  Add a title, caption, or decorative details to the memory frame with Crayola Bright Fabric Markers! Draw your design, making sure you saturated the cloth. When you are finished, ask an adult to iron your design. Set iron on cotton setting and iron on the reverse side using a back and forth motion for 4 minutes. This will fix the color to the fabric. Stain Advisement: Fabric markers are permanent on clothing and contain colorants that may stain household surfaces. Wear a smock to protect clothing and cover your work surface. Recap markers as soon as possible and store in a horizontal position. Do not shake markers.

• 8.

  Add a photograph related to the memory of your keepsake. Present your frame to the class and share your memories of that special event or time.

Benefits

• Students define found object art.
• Students explore the artwork of found object artists, like Marcel Duchamp.
• Students apply creative thinking to transform a keepsake into an art piece.
• Students orally present their finished memory frames to the class, sharing the memories related to their artwork.

Adaptations

• Enjoy a nature hike with your class! Along the way, gather natural objects that catch your eye. Find small logs or sticks with interesting patterns of bark or vividly colored leaves and flowers. Bring the found objects back to the classroom and get creative! What exciting works of are can you form with the treasures you found?
• Expand on the style of found object art and explore recycled object art, currently a growing trend! View samples from artists working with recycled object art to gain a better understanding of the idea behind the movement. Organize a school-wide collection of a recycled object, such as plastic bottle caps. When you have a sufficient collection, create a mural using the recycled material! Display the mural for the school to admire!
• Younger students and those with special needs may benefit from sharing the memories of their keepsakes before cutting the fabric for the memory frames. When the memory frames are completed, invite students to view each other’s frames and discuss the pieces of fabric used from each keepsake. Do you recognize the keepsakes in their new state?
• Assessment: View students’ memory frames together as a class. Discuss the keepsakes that each selected and how they transformed their objects. What parts of the mementos did they use on the memory frames? What designs or words did they add with Bright Fabric Markers?