🎨 Paper Bag Portfolios: A Magical Start to Every Art Year

There’s one project I return to every summer camp and every new school year — without fail. It’s simple, creative, and incredibly meaningful: Paper Bag Portfolios.

From the very first day, students light up when they see the stack of brown paper bags and rolls of colorful duct tape. They know what’s coming. It’s the start of their personal art journey — and the first step in something they’ll treasure all year long.

 

 

 

Why I Love This Project (And Why Students Do, Too)

There’s something magical about watching students take a plain brown paper bag and transform it into something that feels uniquely theirs. They get to pick their tape (yes, I bring lots of fun, colorful patterns), write their names boldly, and start the year with a project that’s all about identity, ownership, and expression.

But this project is more than just a fun art project — it becomes a tool we return to again and again. Whenever students finish a project early, they can go back to their portfolios and continue decorating them. It becomes an extension of their creative process and a safe, familiar place to reflect.

Portfolios as Time Capsules

I’m a firm believer in keeping and storing all student artwork throughout the year. That means after each class, I collect and organize their work in their personal portfolios. And while it takes a little time and effort, the magic payoff comes at the end of the year.

When I hand back their stuffed portfolios, it’s like Christmas morning. Students light up as they dig through project after project — some long forgotten, others proudly remembered. You can see the pride on their faces as they realize how far they’ve come as artists in just one school year.

But the magic doesn’t end there. I’ve had parents share the sweetest stories — of their child sitting them down at the kitchen table, carefully pulling each piece out of their portfolio, explaining what we did and why. The retained knowledge and confidence in their voices is inspiring. It's a reminder of why we do what we do.

🛠️ Paper Bag Portfolio – Quick Lesson Plan

Grade Level: TK–6
Focus: Self-expression, ownership of work, portfolio creation
Time Required: 30–40 minutes

🧃 Materials Needed:

Brown paper grocery bags

Scissors

Colorful duct tape (multiple styles/patterns for student choice)

Markers

✂️ Teacher Prep:

Collect one brown paper bag per student

Pre-cut bag bottoms for TK–1 students if needed

Prep duct tape strips for easier distribution

📝 Lesson Steps:

Step 1: Introduce the project and explain how students will use their portfolios to store all of their art throughout the year.
Step 2: Demonstrate how to cut off the bottom of the bag and open it fully.
Step 3: Show how to tape the open bottom shut to create a large pocket.
Step 4: Invite students to choose their duct tape and decorate the edges and seams for durability and flair.
Step 5: Have students write their names large on both sides of the bag using bold markers. For TK–1st, ask classroom teachers to write names in the corner for easy reading. Download Project Here

✨ Why This Project Is a Staple at Evolve & Inspire

I’m beyond excited to share this classic project as the very first featured lesson on Evolve & Inspire. It’s been a trusted favorite for years, with some students now having created 10+ portfolios over their time with me — and still asking to make one again.

It may be simple, but it’s packed with meaning. It invites individuality, creativity, and reflection — everything I hope to build into my classroom and my art lessons. And that’s why I’ll always start here.

🧡 Artist. Teacher. Creator of Fire-Driven Dreams