Right before Thanksgiving break, my advanced students completed a mixed-media collage project focused on identity and gratitude, a chance to further develop their artistic voice as they reflected on the people, experiences, and values that shape who they are.
To ground the project in real art practice, we looked at the work of Romare Bearden, whose collages pull together memory, community, and personal narrative through layered imagery. We also briefly explored other artists who use collage and mixed media to express identity such as Faith Ringgold, Lorna Simpson, and Mickalene Thomas. This helped students see how powerful and expressive this approach can be.
For their own pieces, students combined photographs, drawings, textures, text, and found imagery to build a visual story about what they’re thankful for. They were required to include at least one element that they drew and at least one 3D element that they crafted.
The final collages were honest, inventive, and full of personality. I’m proud of how my students used this project not only to practice mixed-media techniques, but also to express who they are and what matters most to them.
