An assemblage is a sculptural arrangement of objects--usually everyday ones--such as bits of wood, paper or fabric. One of the pioneers of this style was Joseph Cornell, a modern American artist who arranged photographs, maps and other items within elegant glass-covered boxes. His distinctive objects and spare compositions are like three-dimensional self-portraits, windows into his view of the world.

MATERIALS

Small box, such as a shoe or cigar box
Nontoxic paints and a paintbrush
Glue, stapler, tape or mounting squares

The first step is to help your child choose a box for her assemblage. She will need one that is big enough to hold a few objects, but not one so big that the contents are dwarfed by the size of the box. Next, help her brainstorm: What special things would she like to use in creating her self-portrait box? Her list can include things to glue onto the background of the box, such as magazine clippings, stickers, maps, comic strips, tinfoil, wrapping paper or the handwritten words of a favorite poem. She also will want to choose some favorite objects to place in the box, such as a treasured shell or rock, photographs, flowers, baseball cards, buttons, a feather, a marble, a small figurine or a Matchbox car.

Before your child begins placing objects in the box, she can paint its surface using a favorite color. While the paint is drying, she can set out the items on her lists and separate them into two groups: first choice and second choice. Encourage her to limit her first-choice group to about 10 items. If there is room after the first-choice items have been placed, she can add some of her second choices, or save them for another box.

Let your child play around with the composition before she fastens anything in place. Does she want to trim the clippings so that they fit neatly into the box or let them extend out of the box? Does she want to cover the sides and ceilings of the box as well as the back and bottom? Remind her to place the smallest objects up front so they won't be hidden from view. Once she has settled on the composition, she can fasten the objects in place using glue, staples, mounting squares or tape. The finished box can be perched atop her bureau or, if you attach a picture hanger, displayed on the kitchen wall.

(Ages seven and up)