Make a Frank Stella name sculpture

This is an activity that is based around the artwork of Frank Stella. It can be made easily using recycled materials and can work at different levels. I’ve used it with low ability pupils, kids with emotional and behavioural difficulties and gifted and talented students. It’s an open ended activity that the student can make of it what they want.

It also has a few independent elements which you can be getting on with, so you don’t need to be waiting around for things to dry before you can carry on.
I find it’s good for hard to reach kids as it helps build relationships, raise self esteem- because it centres on the identity of the young person. It fosters communication, because kids can ask for support and help as they’re going along. It also allows students to explore materials and techniques and each sculpture is unique. You don’t have to be a brilliant artist to make one as at the lower levels it’s a bout decorative effects rather than skills. A lot of kids like to make them for their parents or significant others as presents.

You will need
Cardboard from packaging-boxes etc –don’t use too thick cardboard it’ll be hard to cut.
Paint
Glitter and other odds and ends such as coloured pipe cleaners, stickers, and anything you can think of really.
PVA or a glue gun if you have one
Cardboard tubes-if you don’t have these you can use rolled up paper or cardboard.

Step 1- Name or Nickname?

Choose name to do-It’s best at minimum of 4 letters maximum 6 or7. Add an initial if not enough e.g. Amy B

Step 2- Draw out ideas

Research letter shapes, this could be done online and do some quick sketches of ideas.

Step 3-Cut out some cardboard squares and rectangles

Prepare pre-cut rectangles to draw the letters on. 7 inch square or 7 inch by 6 inch rectangles for example.

Step 4-Draw letter shapes on to card

Draw out the letter shapes on the cardboard. It helps having a pre-cut piece as the young person then has a boundary to fill instead of drawing it too small on a big piece of cardboard. You may have to do this for them and they’ll ask you or you could offer, but this is part of the relationship building.

Step 5-Cut out the shapes.

You may need to do this for them, asking for help and offering is part of the relationship building.

Step 6- Decorate the surface

Paint a background colour for each letter. By the time all letters are painted the first one will be dry and you can then think of what kind of decoration will go on top. Stripes, blobs, or distinct patterns. You could illustrate the young person's personal interests like sport or music. Sometimes random effects work. You may want to add textures like string or build out from the surface. Anything’s possible.

On top of this you could add the glitter, stickers, coloured paper shapes, jewels or even textures like string or sculpted surfaces.

Step 7- Making a background mount

Creating the background. Cut out a larger shape of cardboard this will be the mount. Make sure it’s big enough for all the letters to be laid out on it. They will overlap and don’t need to be side by side.

Decorate this in the same way as before.

Step 8- Making the stilts

While this is drying you can prepare the stilts for each letter. Cut the cardboard tubes into different lengths one for each letter.If you’re really sophisticated you can cut the tubes at angles so the letters will be in more interesting planes. I find it helps if you put a cardboard circle on each end. Allow the PVA to get tacky or use a glue one if you have one.

When they’re done you can paint them or leave them blank.

Step 9- Putting it all together

Decide which stilt you are putting on each letter. It’s a good ideas to play around with the letters and stilts to see what work best. When you’ve decided stick the stilt to the letter. A glue gun is best. If you haven’t got one use PVA, but let the glue get tacky before you stick the two surfaces together.

Step 10- Sticking the letters to the background

Stick the letters to the background. It's a good idea to play around with the shapes to see what works best.

Finished- I always put a small piece of cardboard on the back of the background mount, like a picture hook so you can pin or staple the sculpture to a wall.