Eighth-grade students at JFK Middle School recently explored the art of printmaking in Ms. Jamie Bula’s class, guided by student teacher Ms. Melanie Acaiturri. The project introduced students to a hands-on artistic process that required careful planning, creativity, and precision.
For this lesson, Ms. Acaiturri encouraged students to think critically about their designs, focusing on the importance of negative space. They began by sketching their ideas on paper, ensuring that their final compositions would translate well into stamps. Once their drawings were finalized, they carefully carved their designs into rubber blocks, creating the negative relief needed for printing. The final step was the most exciting—applying ink to their custom-made stamps and pressing them onto paper, bringing their designs to life.
Ms. Acaiturri, who designed this lesson herself, selected printmaking as the focus because it was both accessible and new to the students. “I wanted to introduce students to printmaking because it’s a versatile process that encourages creativity and experimentation,” she shared. “By designing and carving their own stamps, they could engage with the material in a hands-on way, gaining a deeper appreciation for the artistic possibilities of printmaking.”
Printmaking holds a special place in Ms. Acaiturri’s artistic journey. She first encountered the medium in middle school and later rediscovered her passion for it in college. Her enthusiasm for the art form was evident in the classroom as she guided students through each step, ensuring they felt confident in their work.
The students embraced the challenge, producing a variety of unique prints that reflected their individual interests and creativity.
To see more of the incredible artwork coming out of JFK Middle School, follow the JFK Art Studio on Instagram @jfk_art_studio.