Middle School Classroom Chronicle

In eighth grade art class, our students learn the process of silk screen printing and why it is particularly used in art activism.  In groups of 3 and 4, the eighth graders begin brainstorming social, political and environmental issues that are dear to us and our values as a school community in Oakland. 

The challenge put forth to them is to “speak with images” and try not use any text in their poster.  It is also revealed to them that their posters will be exhibited off campus at a local business site later in the Spring of this school year, igniting in them an opportunity to speak to a greater community audience about these issues.  We speak about how many people are visiting the cafe from outside of our “bubble” and by seeing our posters, there is an opportunity for engagement and impact on a customer with differing views. 

The eighth graders are in full printing mode with every member of each group needed for all aspects of the printing process.  From week to week, new stencils must be cut to apply for the screen to print multiple copies of the next color and layer in the poster.  For example, if a group has 8 different colors to print, their poster will take eight weeks from the first print copies to the last print copies!