Michigan Youth Arts granted Maples Elementary art $607 worth of gelli plates, brayers and ink.  Students have just begun to learn how to use them.  They have been experimenting with colors, layers, textures, composition, and value.  While they are working, one hears things like “look at this!” “how did you do that?” “where did that color come from?”  They are learning from each other and developing awesome problem solving skills. Even so called mistakes can be used by printing over them or saving them for a collage project another day.  These materials have added excitement to an already happy art room.

This activity is supported by Michigan Youth Arts and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.