For students who enjoy art classes, this year provided a renewed opportunity. This year marks the first year since 2017 for Saint Francis High School to have a sculpture class.
Art teacher Debra Paquay had to redesign the course and create an updated curriculum for sculpture.
“I try to make sculpture a sample class of a bunch of different mediums,” Paquay said. “So we start with clay. We do Botanical plaster casting. We do cardboard construction. We’re about to start wood carving. We do assemblage, which is using recycled materials. And we also do an upcycled fashion unit.”
Typically sculptures are intended for their aesthetic value; meaning just for looks.
“Sometimes sculptures can have functions,” said Paquay, “but they’re designed with a sense of beauty and a purpose in communicating a message from the artist to the viewer.”
One of the major perks of the class is a big field trip the students go on. This fall the class went on September 27, 2023.
“We started the day at the Walker Sculpture Garden, which if you’re familiar with the spoon and cherry, it’s sort of a Minneapolis Icon. That’s an outdoor sculpture garden,” said Paquay. “Then at the Walker, the local artists created this rooftop mini golf course. So we went up to the roof and did some mini golfing. And then we had lunch at Global Market. And finished the day at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.”
Paquay thinks about the opportunity this class provides students.
“I think the students will connect to it and I like to keep the curriculum fresh and relevant. So I’m really looking forward to it.”
