Animal Cloud Sculptures Part II: Plaster Gauze

Students were brimming with excitement as they dove head first into a brand new medium – plaster gauze! 

We began by cutting plaster gauze into small strips, then dunked them in a small tub of water. Next, students covered their aluminum forms with the wet gauze so it can harden.

Of course, our fifth graders loved making mummy jokes. Who doesn’t?!

The benefit of working with a professional artist is that students learn tips and tricks of the trade.

Noormah showed students how to work gently so as to not shake the plaster off the gauze. They also learned to massage their gauze onto the form and keep layering until no aluminum peeks through.

Noormah’s work at Children’s Workshop School is supported by the Emergency Arts Education Fund, which provides free arts education to NYC school communities whose art programs have been decimated by recent budget cuts.

Children’s Museum of the Arts’ three Residents Artists are currently implementing ambitious arts curriculum at each of our partner sites throughout New York City: Hudson Guild in Chelsea, Sid Miller Academy in Crown Heights, and Children’s Workshop School in the East Village. Come spring, our residents will showcase their students' work through exhibitions and installations across the city. Learn how you can support the work of our residents here.