Create a free standing sculpture with repeating elements that unify the design.

Produce a design that utilizes symbolic images to communicate an idea.

Create a sculpture with at least three textures.

Produce a sculpture with at least three levels on the totem

Native American totem poles are an ancient tradition of the Indian tribes of the Pacific Northwest Coast--Washington state in the USA, British Columbia in Canada.

The poles may depict familiar legends, clan lineages or notable events. They may also illustrate stories, commemorate historic persons, represent shamanic powers, and to provide objects of public ridicule. Some figures serve as symbolic reminders of quarrels, murder, and/or debt.

The following are general references of Totem Pole symbols. Interpretation of the symbols varies among the Native Peoples.

iRaven - The mercurial trickster of Northwest Coast Native lore. Curious and mischievious, often misbehaving but never boring.

Sea Turtle - This totem is representative of Mother Earth.

Thunderbird - A mythological bird known to manifest the rolling of thunder while beating its wings and creating lightening when blinking it's eyes. Known to kill whales

Eagle - Intelligent and resourceful. He rules the sky and is able to transform himself into a human.

Wolf - Very powerful totem who can help people that are sick or in need.

Bear - A teacher symbol as it is believed that Bear taught the People to catch salmon and pick berries.

Frog - Known for bringing wealth and is associated with Copper Woman. In another myth, frog was held down in fire, when it burst lava flowed and engulfed an entire village.

Otter - The otter is a mischievous creature that is also a symbol of laughter, curiosity, grace, and empathy.

Salmon - The salmon symbolizes instinct, persistence, and determination.

Owl - The owl is a very respected animal and is thought to symbolize the souls of the departed.

Killer Whale - Whales are honored as strong and brave fish. The mythology of the killer whale is that is will bring food and assistance to a chief or other important person lying helpless and/or wounded.

Poles used for public ridicule are usually called "shame poles", and were created to shame individuals or groups for unpaid debts.

Assignment option Create a shame pole that utilizes

symbolism to depict an offense committed to a person, a nation or a group

The shame pole could also depict an offense you have committed against someone else

Examples of shame ▪ Murders, theft, lying, gossip,

▪ Create a totem that utilizes animal symbols to portray who you are as a person▪ Example: if you are a

person with a quick temper, you could create a totem using wild aggressive animals as symbols of your temper

Design a clown totem that commemorates the clowns cannibalistic history

Disclaimer: this event never happened. Its meant to be weird

Create shame totem that uses bugs to symbolically show the corruption of mankind

Create a totem that commemorates the defeat of the great zombie invasion of 2014.

Create a sculpture that utilizes plant symbols to display something good, pure or delightful

Targets Expert 25-24 Competent 23-21 Novice 20-17 Needs improvement 16-0

Unity through repeated elements of design

Use of symbolism to communicate a message

Three levels on the totem and three textures utilized

Craftsmanship