Req 2 — Choose Your Projects
This requirement covers three different ways to learn sculpture, and you must complete exactly two of them. One path focuses on modeling a human head and then building a second figure. One path teaches mold making and casting. One path sends you into an art space to look, think, and discuss what visual art does in a community.
Your Options
- Req 2a — Head and Figure Study: Build observation and modeling skills by shaping a life-size clay head and then making a smaller animal or person. This option teaches proportion, structure, and how sculptors use tools to refine form.
- Req 2b — Mold and Cast: Learn the basic idea behind mold making by creating a plaster mold of a fruit or vegetable and using it to make a copy. This option teaches planning, surface detail, and the difference between an original form and a cast.
- Req 2c — Art in Public and Community Life: Visit a museum, gallery, co-op, exhibit, or studio and then discuss what you learned. This option teaches close looking, art vocabulary, and how visual art supports culture, empathy, and community life.
How to Choose
Choosing your two options
Think about tools, access, and what you most want to learn
- Time in the studio: Req 2a usually takes the most hands-on shaping time because you are building two sculptural studies.
- Mess and materials: Req 2b involves plaster and cleanup planning. It is very rewarding, but it needs careful setup.
- Travel and observation: Req 2c depends on counselor approval plus a visit to an art space with a parent or guardian’s permission.
- What you will gain: Req 2a builds form and proportion, Req 2b teaches process and reproduction, and Req 2c sharpens your eye for how art affects people and places.
- Best pairing: Many Scouts pair one making option (2a or 2b) with the visit option (2c) so they get both hands-on practice and art appreciation.
If you enjoy drawing faces, character design, or working directly with clay, Req 2a is a natural fit. If you like process, problem-solving, and seeing how one form becomes another, Req 2b may be especially satisfying. If you are curious about museums, public art, or how people respond to artwork, Req 2c gives you strong discussion material.
Planning Ahead
Before you start, check your access to materials and adult help. Req 2a may need modeling clay, a support board, and simple sculpting tools. Req 2b needs plaster supplies, a good workspace, and careful cleanup. Req 2c needs a destination, permission, and a plan for what you will observe.
It is also smart to think about what evidence you want to show your counselor. Photos of each stage, notes about tools used, and a short reflection after a museum visit can all make your conversation smoother.
You are ready to begin with the first project option. Even if you later choose a different pair, reading it will help you understand the kind of work this requirement is asking for.