Kehinde Wiley Art Project, Portrait Collage, Black History Month, Grades 6-12

Students draw a patterned background that connects to a subject they choose (themselves, a leader, or someone who matters to them), then glue a printed photo on top, the way Kehinde Wiley sets his sitters against bold pattern. It works for every skill level because the pattern is the challenge, not drawing a face.

What's included

• Teacher instructions with a 9-day schedule, materials list and prep tips
• Kehinde Wiley presentation (35 slides): the artist, pattern, collage, project goals and 30+ student examples
• Brainstorming slideshow showing patterns for 3 different subjects
• Brainstorming worksheet
• Gallery walk critique worksheet

Good to know

• 8 to 10 class periods
• Grades 6-12
• Materials: drawing paper, colored pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, rubber cement, color photo prints (paint optional)
• Files: PDFs, plus make-a-copy Google Slides links inside the START HERE PDF
• Printing student photos? My Photos for Print template makes it easy.