Celebrate color, culture, and creativity with this Loïs Mailou Jones tribal pattern corn art project. This a perfect fall art lesson or Black History Month for grades 1–4. Explore pattern, line, shape, and symmetry while learning about an important African American artist who brought African influences into modern art.
Lois Mailou Jones Art Project
This hands-on fall art activity invites students to design patterned corn inspired by the African textile motifs seen in Loïs Mailou Jones’s paintings. Kids create repeating designs, explore the concept of symmetry, and make connections between cultural art and harvest imagery. Math, art, and culture all in one!
Recommended for Grades: 1–4
Focus Elements: Line, Pattern, Shape, Color
Time: 1–2 class periods
Art History Focus: Loïs Mailou Jones and her use of African-inspired patterns and geometric design
How to Make Tribal Pattern Corn Art
Supplies Needed
- Corn template or white paper (download below)
- Pencils and erasers
- Black permanent or fine-tip markers
- Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
(Optional: Mount finished corn on construction paper for display.
Instructions
- Draw or trace a large ear of corn and husks on white paper, or use the printable corn template.
- Inside each kernel or section, draw a different repeating pattern—zigzags, dots, triangles, or waves, just like in Loïs Mailou Jones’s artwork.
- Outline with a black marker to make the patterns bold.
- Color with bright, contrasting hues, focusing on balance and symmetry.
- Cut out and mount the corn on colorful construction paper for display.
Who Was Loïs Mailou Jones?
Loïs Mailou Jones (1905–1998) was an African American artist and teacher known for her vibrant paintings that celebrated African and Caribbean culture. She often used tribal patterns inspired by African textiles and masks, combining bold colors, geometric designs, and symbolic shapes to show pride in her heritage.
🎨 Her work bridged the gap between African art and modern painting, encouraging others to appreciate the beauty and significance of African traditions.
Artworks to Explore
- Les Fétiches (1938): African masks and bold color blocks.
- Ubi Girl from Tai Region (1972): Repeating tribal motifs and vibrant contrasts.
Discussion Questions/Journal Prompts
- What types of patterns did you create, and why?
- How does your design reflect Loïs Mailou Jones’s use of pattern and color?
- What makes a pattern visually interesting?
Art Technique Vocabulary
- Pattern: A repeated decorative design.
- Symmetry: Balanced arrangement on both sides.
- Geometric: Composed of shapes like triangles, circles, or squares.
- Line: A mark that defines shape or form.
- Repetition: Using the same design element more than once.
- Inspiration: Drawing creative ideas from another artist or culture.
Cross-Curricular Extensions
- Math Connection: Identify symmetry and pattern types (ABAB, ABCABC).
- Cultural Study: Explore African textiles or harvest celebrations around the world.
- Writing Prompt: “If my corn could tell a story through patterns, it would be about…”
💡 Perfect addition to a Black History Month lesson plan!
Teaching Tips
- Grades 1–2: Use pre-drawn corn templates and simple pattern guides.
- Grades 3–4: Encourage students to design their own corn outlines and use advanced color schemes.
- Combine everyone’s artwork into a Harvest Pattern Field mural for a stunning fall display!
Perfect for Black History Month Art Lessons
This project also makes an excellent addition to Black History Month art studies. Loïs Mailou Jones was a trailblazing African American artist and educator who celebrated African heritage and cultural identity through bold color, geometric pattern, and design. Use this activity to help kids explore how art can honor heritage, express identity, and connect history to creativity.
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