Have you ever looked at a pile of cardboard tubes and thought… this could actually be something cool? That’s exactly what our 6th graders did this month! We just wrapped up our Radial Relief Assemblage project, and it brought together a mix of art, math, and a lot of creativity.
The Inspiration: Marisol Escobar
We started by looking at the work of Marisol Escobar, a Pop Artist known for her large-scale assemblage sculptures. Instead of just painting, she combined materials like wood, drawings, and found objects to build her pieces. That idea of “assemblage” (putting different materials together to create something new) inspired our students to turn simple recycled tubes into 3D relief sculptures.
The Challenge: Radial Balance
The main focus of this project was radial balance—design that spreads out from a center point, like a sun or snowflake. This part definitely made students slow down and think. They used rulers to create an 8-point grid on their boards and had to carefully plan where each tube went. If something was placed on one side, it had to be repeated all the way around. It was a great mix of creativity and problem-solving.
Painting with Purpose
Once everything was built, it was time to paint. Students chose color schemes like monochromatic or analogous and really focused on being intentional with their color choices.
Why It Matters
This project wasn’t just about making something cool (even though they definitely did). It was about craftsmanship—taking the time to do things neatly, make thoughtful choices, and really finish a piece.
Honestly, one of the best parts was seeing students realize that something as simple as cardboard could turn into a really strong, finished work of art.
Kelly Dusing
Simons Middle School
Fleming County Schools
6th Grade
