Emily Carr Totem Pole Art Project Forest Art Lesson Art History Art Activity
Are you looking for an Emily Carr Totem Pole art project that feels artistic, meaningful, and absolutely beautiful on display? Do you want an art history inspired art lesson that helps students explore forest landscapes, line, shape, color, and mixed media techniques in a way that feels engaging and creative? This Totem Pole art lesson is such a lovely choice for art teachers, classroom teachers, and homeschool families who want a project that feels rich, memorable, and highly display worthy.
This Emily Carr inspired art project invites students to create an artwork featuring a totem and forest inspired by Totem and Forest from 1931. Students build a strong composition with a tall carved totem in the foreground and a flowing forest landscape in the background, using expressive lines and rich color to create a piece full of movement and atmosphere. The final artwork feels bold and striking while still being very approachable for elementary students.
VIDEO ART LESSON
This is a video art lesson. Your download includes the lesson plan and printable pages, plus a "Watch the Video" page with a clickable link and QR code to the step-by-step video tutorial, so you can watch it anytime and show your class again later.
If you are searching for an Emily Carr art lesson, Totem Pole art project, forest art activity, landscape art lesson, Canada art project, or a video art tutorial with printable PDF support, this resource is such a beautiful fit. It works wonderfully for classroom art, homeschool visual art, sub plans, landscape units, and upper elementary lessons that need a little extra wow.
Do you want an art lesson that helps students create a strong scene with foreground and background? Are you hoping for a forest art activity that feels more artistic and elevated than a simple tree drawing? Would you love a Totem Pole art project that creates bold finished pieces students are proud to display? This one is such a gem.
WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING
★★★★ “My students absolutely loved this art project. It was an engaging way to learn about Emily Carr and Indigenous-inspired art while encouraging creativity, attention to detail, and pride in their finished work.” F P.
★★★★ “My students loved this activity! It fit in nicely with Truth and Reconciliation Day and was a fun activity for the students.” melissa C.
★★★★ “Perfect for my Emily Carr unit. Love the step by step instructions. Easy to follow and adapt. Thank you!” Cc E.
WHY TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES WILL LOVE THIS RESOURCE
This Emily Carr Totem Pole art project is such a wonderful way to combine landscape art, forest imagery, and expressive art making in one memorable lesson. Students are not just drawing a single object. They are creating a full scene with a strong central focus and a moving background, which helps the project feel richer and more visually exciting.
It is also a fantastic lesson for exploring mixed media techniques. Students use oil pastels together with watercolor paint or tempera paint cakes, which creates a beautiful contrast between bold drawn details and soft painted forest color. That mix makes the finished artwork feel layered and vibrant without becoming too complicated.
And honestly, the final art looks gorgeous. The tall totem shape against the flowing forest background gives this lesson such strong visual impact. This is one of those projects that instantly transforms a bulletin board into something that feels artistic and impressive.
PERFECT FOR
• Emily Carr Inspired Art Lessons
• Totem Pole Art Projects
• Forest Art Activities
• Landscape Art Lessons
• Canada Inspired Art Projects
• Homeschool Art
• Sub Plans
• Upper Elementary Art
• Mixed Media Art Lessons
• Display Worthy Student Artwork
MATERIALS USED
This lesson may use pencil, eraser, black felt marker, oil pastels, card stock or watercolor paper, watercolor paint or tempera paint cakes, paint brush, and water.
FAQ
Q: Who can use this resource
A: This resource is great for art teachers, classroom teachers, substitute teachers, and homeschool families who want an engaging Totem Pole art project or forest landscape art lesson for elementary students.
Q: How can this resource be used
A: You can use it for art class, homeschool visual art, landscape units, forest art lessons, Canada inspired art projects, sub plans, or mixed media art activities focused on composition and color.
Q: How long will this art lesson take
A: Most classes will complete this lesson in about 2 to 3 classes depending on student age and skill level, class behavior, teacher instruction style, and the amount of time available in each class.
Q: What makes this lesson stand out
A: This lesson blends forest landscape art, strong focal point design, and mixed media techniques in a way that feels bold and visually rich. Students create a tall totem scene with movement, color, and layered background detail that looks amazing when displayed.
Images and Lessons are Copyright Products
YOU MAY:
For clip art, you may use them as clip art, website graphics, binder covers, or even bulletin board decorations.
Use this in creative ways! Explore and have as much fun with it as you would like
By additional licensing for school use.
YOU MAY NOT:
Use this on OutSchool
Put on your Blog
Share this product with other teachers, administration or districts. Admin can buy additional licensing.
Sell this product or give it out for free or photocopy it for others.
Sincerely,
Ms Artastic
FILES YOU WILL DOWNLOAD
- Emily Carr Totem Pole Art Lesson - Video Lesson + Lesson Plan - Ms Artastic.zip: the lesson plan and printable pages (PDF), plus a "Watch the Video" page (PDF) with a clickable link and QR code to the step-by-step video tutorial
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