Form and Fantasy Collide in Grade 8 Creature Sculptures

Imaginative creatures, twisted shapes, and a hint of Halloween magic filled the Middle School Main Commons as Grade 8 art majors shared their recently completed creature sculptures in a gallery walk with their teachers and peers. The work encapsulates a three-week exploration of the element of form. Guided by art teacher Katie Tobin, students worked individually or in pairs to create sculptures from wire, newspaper, cardboard, papier-mâché, and plaster.

“I typically do a sculpture as the second project of the year, particularly for those students who enjoy the medium as they prepare for their OPEN projects in December and January,” said Tobin. “The timing is October, and they get excited to create creatures at this time of the year.” 

Students were encouraged to experiment with form and texture, infusing “living” features into inanimate objects and pushing the limits of shape and dimensionality. Tobin guided them to think beyond traditional sculpture, emphasizing creativity and personal expression.

“I was most excited about the sculpting,” said Sam Kleinman ’30, who worked with classmate Henry Kay ’30 on “Perplexity,” a large model of a chair with tentacles. “My biggest challenge was actually painting it because it’s so big. I learned that drybrushing random colors on the creature actually looks pretty good, as the chaos adds some character.”

Celia Shehaj ’30 drew inspiration from classic Halloween motifs, putting her own twist on familiar themes as she brought her sculpture to life.

“I did a couple of sketches before I got started,” she said. “I wanted to make something cute but Halloween themed, so I made a ghost with a witch's hat and pumpkin.”

The gallery walk offered students a chance to present their sculptures to an audience beyond their fellow artists, encouraging them to articulate their creative process and reflect on their artistic choices. The event also served as a chance for critique, allowing for dialogue, feedback, and connection with viewers.

“Many of the ideas were truly unique,” said Tobin, praising the students' commitment to the project. “They really worked to make their pieces tell a story visually while growing their sculpting skills.”