Looking for a creative way to teach abstract art for kids? This Howardena Pindell art project introduces students to an inspiring contemporary artist while encouraging them to experiment with shapes, patterns, and recycled paper. Kids will love turning simple scraps into a colorful circle art project inspired by Pindell’s famous collages.
Abstract Art Activity for Kids
This collage art project helps kids understand how artists like Pindell used everyday materials to create powerful artwork [here]. By cutting and layering circles, students can explore art activities that emphasize creativity and sustainability.
This project is part of our larger collection of famous artist projects for kids—hands-on ways to bring art history into the classroom or home. Plus, make sure to view our female artists project guide here.
👉 Keep exploring:
- Experiment with action and movement in a Jackson Pollock drip painting.
- Play with dots and repetition in Yayoi Kusama dot art.
- Explore color and pointillism in a Georges Seurat dot painting.
- Cut and paste bold shapes with Henri Matisse paper collages.
Howardena Pindell Art Project
Supplies Needed
- Howardena Pindell printable circle sheets (or cut your own)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Background paper (black or colored)
- Scrap paper: leftover project scraps, old notebooks, test pages with marker/paint swatches, or recycled packaging
- Optional: markers, crayons, or hole punches for extra dots
- Circular paper punches (optional – super fun)
💡 The printable can be used in its entirety or simply as an example. Cut your own circles! Using scrap paper encourages kids to think like Pindell—turning old or used paper into something brand new.
How to Make an Abstract Circle Collage
- Cut Circles – Use the printables or cut circles from scrap paper.
- Arrange – Move the circles around on the background paper. Try overlapping and layering.
- Glue – Paste the circles into place, thinking about patterns and balance.
- Add Details – Use markers, crayons, or more paper scraps to decorate and fill in spaces.
Elements of Art Explored
🎨 Make sure to look through the 7 Elements of Art resource guide [here].
- Shape – Circles and dots are the foundation of the artwork.
- Color – Explore how different colors work together in collage.
- Texture – Layering paper creates a sense of depth and variety.
- Repetition & Pattern – Repeated circles create rhythm in the design.
About the Artist: Howardena Pindell
Howardena Pindell (born 1943) is an American artist and educator. She was part of the Feminist Art Movement, working to create opportunities for women and artists of color. Her work also connects to Abstract Art and Contemporary Art, because she used shapes and colors in imaginative, non-realistic ways.
She often cut thousands of tiny dots with a hole punch and arranged them into layered collages. Her art shows how something simple—like circles—can become meaningful and powerful. Teachers can highlight her as an example of feminist art for the classroom, combining art history with social awareness.
Art Project Discussion Questions
- What happens when you overlap different colors?
- How does repeating circles create rhythm in your artwork?
- Why might Pindell have chosen circles as her main shape?
- How does using recycled scraps change the way you think about art?
Collage Project Extension Ideas
- Use a hole punch to create tiny dots from painted or scrap paper.
- Layer magazine scraps, notebook paper, or packaging for variety.
- Make a collaborative class mural with everyone’s circle collages combined.
- Compare your collage to Pindell’s—what’s similar and what’s different?
- Add Your Own Marks – Pindell often drew dots, lines, or even stitched into her art. Kids can use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to add tiny dots, dashes, or patterns around their circles. Older students can even glue short pieces of yarn or thread to mimic sewn lines.
More Art Projects Inspired By Female Artists
- Yayoi Kusama Dot Art – Explore repetition and pattern with bold, playful polka dots inspired by Kusama’s iconic style.
- Frida Kahlo Self-Portrait – Create expressive portraits that celebrate identity, emotion, and symbolism in Kahlo’s work.
- Georgia O’Keeffe Flower Painting – Experiment with close-up perspectives and bold color inspired by O’Keeffe’s famous flowers.
- Faith Ringgold Story Quilts – Combine pictures and words to make narrative art, just like Ringgold’s colorful quilt paintings.
- Lorna Simpson Collage Art – Explore identity and storytelling through mixed-media collage inspired by Simpson’s thought-provoking work.
- Hilma af Klint Abstract Painting – Discover spiritual and geometric abstraction with colorful, symbolic shapes inspired by af Klint.
- Alma Thomas Mosaic Painting – Use dashes of color to build abstract patterns inspired by Thomas’s joyful paintings.
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Almost looks like Japanese artist Yayoi Kusamas’ art work from the late 50’s early 60’s and on. She was called the Princess of Polka Dots, quite an interesting read.
Hi Michelle,
You’re so right — Yayoi Kusama and Howardena Pindell both explored repetition, dots, and pattern in really powerful ways. It’s fascinating to see how different artists can use a similar element to express different ideas! We also have fun projects inspired by Kusama’s work!