Mostly symmetrical

symbols are used in batik to represent something that is larger. For instance,

a heart represents love. As students began their projects, they were asked

to select from a variety of African symbols including some unique ones

representing danger, direction and a king's castle.

Instead of

using cloth and wax, the batik process was imitated in class by using

paper, oil pastels and Indian ink. In order to ensure that each shape

was truly symmetrical, students drew half of an image onto paper using

an oil pastel and the folded the paper in half and rubbed it to create

an exact mirror image on the opposite side. Afterwards, the ink was brushed

over the artwork and blotted to give it a true batik finish.

"A student

in one of my classes is from Nigeria and he told me that his mother specially

orders clothes that are done in batik. He is so excited about creating

his own piece of batik art and said he couldn't wait it take it home and

show her his creation," said substitute teacher Lenore Austin.

Art teacher

Teresa Samson came up with the idea to introduce students to the batik

process as part of Black History Month activities at the school.