Arts and Crafts Senior Project Guide

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Overview

Georgia 4-H Project Achievement empowers young people with skills for a lifetime. Through a competitive process, students explore their interests, unleash their creativity, share their work, and celebrate their achievements! This guide provides 9th—12th graders with examples for getting started with their project exploration.

Overview of Project Achievement Process

1) Choose project
2) Develop skills in leadership and service
3) Prepare portfolio for work completed from January 1 – December 31
4) Prepare presentation
5) Practice
6) Compete
7) Reflect

Description of Arts and Crafts Project

Youth may explore aspects of arts and crafts, including methods and skills for creating art, works created by other artists, and the process by which art is imagined and created. Exploration may also include the less fine and more easily reproducible crafts. Through this project 4-H’ers may:

• Develop an understanding of and foster critical thinking for the creation of aesthetics and visual literacy
• Plan and create visual art forms in areas such as painting, drawing, ceramics, fabric design, jewelry, metalwork, printmaking, sculpting, papier-mâché, bead work, recycled crafts, etc.
• Acquire knowledge and an understanding of various artists and crafters and their art forms
• Examine forms and styles of visual arts from different cultures and time periods
• Understand and practice safe and appropriate handling of arts and crafts materials and tools
• Develop an understanding for and appreciation of leisure time activities
• Explore career opportunities related to arts, crafting, and the production and sale of items

Examples of Project Development Experiences

• Tour art galleries, art museums, and craft fairs to experience the creations of others and to gather ideas and inspiration for new projects
• Interview arts or craft practitioners and observe them at work in their studios
• Attend arts and crafts classes offered by Extension, craft shops, and/or recreation departments
• Review a professional or student artist’s portfolio. Compile a portfolio of your own work
• Gather found objects, recyclable materials, or natural debris to create an artwork
• Research the history of folk art and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on art

Project Sharing and Helping Examples

• Present an art or craft demonstration to 4-H club members, school classes, civic clubs, or senior centers
• Exhibit your work product at county Extension offices, libraries, schools, coffee shops, etc.
• Enter an art or craft project or exhibit an Arts and Crafts-related mini-booth in a fair, competition, or event
• Provide art or craft sessions for a local preschool, child care center, assisted living facility, or nursing home
• Train other 4-H members how to lead art or craft sessions
• Assist senior citizens in preparing crafts and enter them in competitions and fairs
• Contact your local Extension Agent to discuss beginning an Arts and Crafts project club
• Mentor a younger 4-H’er in the Arts and Crafts project
• Organize students to paint a large mural to display in school
• Beautify the community by creating garden art pieces from found objects and sharing them with neighbors
• Coordinate face-painting fundraisers at local events. Donate the proceeds to an art or craft-related charity

Special Considerations

• Presentations at competition should show appreciation of an art or craft medium via a demonstration of actual skill or by an illustrated talk that reflects knowledge gained through study.
• Youth should practice safety when communicating with new people online or in person.
• Ask permission before photographing, taping, or quoting someone or their artworks.
• Please use best safety practices when handling tools and equipment

Recommended Resources

• Project Achievement – Georgia 4-H
• Libraries
• Art museums (i.e. Discover More Art | Georgia Museum of Art )
• Craft stores, art supply shops, hardware stores
• Home – UGA Arts Council
• Pinterest
• Hobby Lobby Arts & Crafts Store
• Arts & Crafts, Frames, Seasonal Décor | DIY & Inspiration | Michaels

At Competition

Arts and Crafts 4-H projects may use posters, artifacts, biofacts, and/or technology to support their presentation. The time limit for these presentations is 12 minutes. Computers, projectors, screens, and other technological devices may be used.

Prepared by: Amanda Marable, Elyse Daniel, and Keri Hobbs
Reviewed by: Natalie Bock, Melinda Miller, and Jason Estep