Sculpture Lessons

We hope you get inspired by these amazing lessons based on the work of Northwest Artists! Once you find a lesson you like, click on the button to download the plan as a PDF. If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like help adapting this lesson to meet the needs or grade level of your students, please email education@museumofnwart.org. Our Art Box Lending Library has free supplies that help with many lessons. You’ll find the links where applicable, check them out!

  • Architecture Sculptures Inspired by Benjamin F. McAdoo

    Students will create their own wooden sculpture and learn about Seattle architect and activist Benjamin McAdoo.

    Art Box: Wood Scraps Box

  • Build A Barn Inspired by Charles "Larry" Heald

    Inspired by The Barn Show, in which a group of artists would display their artwork each year, students will build a barn and host a Barn Show of their own artwork.

    Art Box: Drawing Box

  • Clay Artifact Sculptures Inspired by Tracie Manso

    Students will make small clay sculptures that resemble artifacts found in archeological digs.

    Art Box: Clay Tools

  • Clay Family Portraits Inspired by Lillian Pitt

    Students will make a series of clay sculptures that resemble their family members’ faces, inspired by the clay masks of Lillian Pitt. Art Box: Clay Tools Box

  • Habitat Sculptures Inspired by Eddie Lee

    Students will create a sculpture of a habitat based on I Wish I Had Seen the Falls by Carol Craig and the work of sculptor Eddie Lee. This lesson is connected to the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum.

  • Hologram Mobile Sculptures Inspired by Sally Weber

    Using the light art of Sally Weber as inspiration, each student will create a 3-D hologram mobile.

    Art Boxes: Beading & Wire Sculpture Box

  • Islamic Architectural Sculptures Inspired by Sheihk Idriss Mosque

    Students will learn about Adnan Idriss and the creation of the Sheihk Idriss Mosque, and create a sculpture based on traditional Islamic architecture. Art Boxes: Hot Glue and Wood Scraps

  • Mel Katz-Inspired Paper Sculptures

    Students will learn about Mel Katz and use drawings to create shapes that they color and cut out to create an abstract sculptural form.

    Art Box: Oil Pastels from the Watercolor Resist Box

  • Paper Sculptures Inspired by Jan Hoy

    Students will work together to create three-dimensional structures out of paper using tape and scissors. They will engage with the artwork of Jan Hoy for inspiration. Art Box: Paper Collage Box

  • Paper Sculpture Masks Inspired by Corey Bulpitt

    Students will be introduced to artist Corey Bulpitt and create a paper mask based off their own facial features and proportions.

    Art Box: Paper Collage

  • Raven Sculptures Inspired by Emily Carr

    Students will be introduced to Pacific Northwest artist Emily Carr, learn about totem poles, and create sculptures.

    Art Box: Clay Tools

  • Sticks & Stones Sculptures Inspired by Philip McCracken

    This lesson is about working like a sculptor and building art that can be seen from all directions like Philip McCracken.

    Art Box: Clay Tools

  • Subtractive and Additive Character Sculpture Studies

    Using inspiration from the ceramic works of Nicole Gugliotti, students will create sculptures based on a fictional character they have written or read about in the classroom. Art Box: Clay Tools

  • Sunflower Sculptures Inspired by Richard Gilkey

    Students will be introduced to Northwest artist Richard Gilkey and make a small clay sculpture of a sunflower.

    Art Box: Clay Tools

  • Textured Animal Sculptures Inspired by George Rodriguez

    Students will make sculptures of animals inspired by George Rodriguez's use of texture in his ceramic work.

    Art Box: Clay Tools

  • Texture Tiles Inspired by Preston Singletary

    Students will discuss Preston Singletary's glass artworks with a focus on the textures, and create a small clay tile based on a Spanish word for an element of nature. Art Box: Clay Tools Box

  • Wrapped Wire Figures Inspired by Mar Goman

    Students will create a wire sculpture after learning the proportions of the human body and exploring Mar Goman's art.

    Art Boxes: Wire Sculpture and Fabric Box