Creating a Box Assemblage

The Big Idea:


Activity overview

Betye Saar's mixed-media box assemblages derive from her fascination with the magical and spiritual significance of objects. By rearranging found objects, discarded mementos, and other materials, she creates new meanings that draw on the power of nostalgia and reflect her own identity and personal history. In this activity you will construct your own box assemblage using objects that are important to you.

Look closely


In this activity you will:

  1. learn about the art of Betye Saar
  2. make a box assemblage using objects that are important to you
  3. exchange boxes with a classmate and write a short review of his or her work

You will be graded on:

  1. research notes
  2. creativity, style, and effort in creating a box assemblage
  3. review of a classmate's box

New terms: