After nearly five weeks of construction, sculpting, baking, painting, and icing, students in Intro to Studio Art and Flour Power accomplished the impossible; designing and enjoying a series of permanent and edible artist cakes. The arts are grounded in experiences that challenge our perceptions and beliefs within our daily lives. This project was an extension of that belief in having students step outside of their comfort zone and make connections in unconventional ways. From Mr. Hoffman’s experience in sculpture and Mrs. Schulley’s experience in pastry, this collaboration proved to be a memorable undertaking for all participants.

Thanks to the support of the Kutztown Area School District Education Foundation, students were provided the resources and support to make these cakes a reality. The overall concept for this project was to embed art history in an engaging way while challenging student’s perceptions of art-making and teamwork. The wedding-style cakes translated into Mrs. Schulley’s Flour Power courses. Each class sculpted and designed an edible cake inspired by the joint compound and plaster models constructed in Mr. Hoffman’s Intro to Studio Art Course. The artists selected were hand-picked for their iconic imagery and impact in art history.

This project was a memorable experience for students and that knowledge extends well beyond the classroom-setting. Seeing artwork in real life is a transformative experience and having this opportunity to create unique displays based on those experiences invited students to learn differently. The overall outcome was both a magnificent display and an enjoyable sweet! (Artist Cakes Include: Vincent Van Gogh, Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama, Helen Frankenthaler, Jackson Pollock, Bansky. Edible Cakes Include: Vincent Van Gogh, Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama)

~ A Reflection by Mr. Hoffman