Guest Artist at Oak Park SchoolGuest Artist at Oak Park School

On March 6th and 7th, guest artist, Natasha Lehrer Lewis, came to Oak Park School to create art with each of the classes.  Below is a description of the project that she sent before arriving.  Also, check out some pictures under the description!

“Falling Leaves, Rising Hopes”

Drawing inspiration from the school’s namesake, we’ll create larger-than-life fantasy leaves that will grace the stairwells of the school. Gigantic, magical oak leaves will be made with each class in the school. The colors will be vibrant fall shades, along with sparkly Angelina fibers and bamboo added to the surface, and yarn for leaf veins. Added in light layers, the finished fabric will be transparent enough to allow the light to trickle through, giving one the illusion of gazing upwards into the canopy of a great big oak tree. Once completed, the leaves will be treated with a fabric stiffener and sculpted so they appear to be cascading down from the sky, being tossed about by the wind. When they are hung, dancing from the ceilings, it will feel like you are passing through a forest.

Over the course of two days, all the classes will create a leaf. When completed, there will be sixteen leaves- four for each of the four stairwells. Every student will have the chance to design, felt and experience the process of transforming wool into art, which will leave a lasting impact in their school and community.

The method of nuno felting, fusion of a light silk fabric and a light wool layer, is an engaging process that yields an exquisite piece of fiber art.

Natasha Lehrer Lewis will provide supplies and instruction to rotate groups through class rotations. By the end of the day, the individual pieces will have all fused to each other and to the silk background. The word nuno means laminated or fused, aptly describing the process.

Natasha Lehrer Lewis has done this style of project with many groups of all sizes, ages and abilities and it remains popular for the fun, interactive aspect it offers! Other work has included the Mississippi Arts Council, Riverside Elementary, Salt Creek Primary School, Prairie View Elementary in North Prairie, WI, South Beloit Elementary and Middle Schools, Jay Stream Middle School in Carol Stream, IL and the National Art Ed. Conference and Wisconsin and Illinois Art Educator’s Association Conference.