The Visual Arts are an important and integral part of everyday life. Often, they are forgotten or overlooked. In our K-6 program their importance and relevance will be reintroduced and emphasized. Students of all skill sets, and abilities will be introduced to the exciting world of the Visual Arts. We learn that anyone can create dynamic artwork and begin to understand that these skills can be applied to anything you choose to do. We learn all about the design principles of art and go in depth into learning about the elements of art. We will traverse these concepts and ideas by travelling through the world of representational (mimetic), abstract, and non-representational art. We learn about line quality, color theory, shading, shapes, sculpture, and everything in between. Students learn a vast array of art techniques and I learn from them as well. As Picasso brilliantly stated, “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child”.
The art classes will incorporate art history and art historical events as well. We cover art from the traditional landscape to non-objective color field work. These interwoven artistic ideas enable the students to see the world differently visually as well as building their creativity, and abstract thinking abilities. By engaging, learning, and creating these concepts students will increase their self-confidence and curiosity about what they see. We continuously discuss the arc of art history. We travel from cave art to the renaissance to Paul Cezanne to Helen Frankenthaler to Arshile Gorky to contemporary artists. As Mark Rothko often quoted… “art is evolution not revolution”. It is my hope that students and their families will be inspired to visit museums and art galleries by what they experience in art class. (as a side note… the Wexner Museum and the Columbus Museum have certain days during the month that have free attendance for everyone!)
Art has an ability to exhibit other cultures, traditions, and how others see the world. We will explore those techniques and ideas again through realistic, abstract, and non-objective art. All cultures incorporate these concepts to varying degrees and cross pollinate with each other. We also learn even more about color theory by exploring art in the United States as well as around the world. We include other curriculums as well. We talk about biology, science, math, narrative etc., and how they relate to the art lesson we are working on. Art is not on an island alone; it is everywhere and in everything. Art is uplifting. Art can be meditative and an escape. Art is inspirational. Art is the engine for the imagination. Art can be found almost everywhere, not just in galleries and sunsets and flowers, but also in old factories, galaxies, tractor engines, a quarry, an ant hill, a wheat field, etc. Art is, and always will be, a tremendous and vast catalyst for the human imagination.
Again, as Picasso brilliantly stated, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”