50 Artists Everyone Should Know!

Every year I expose my students to art history in a variety of ways. We look at specific artists (past and present) that are appropriate for a specific assignment. But, I also try to provide them with an understanding of art history in a larger context. Last year, it was 500 years of the Self-Portrait. The year before, it was The Flower through Art History - over 300 years.

This year, I thought I'd go bold and make a splashy list of "50 Artists Everyone Should Know!"  The list is subjective and keeping it to 50 was a challenge!  Once I got started, I couldn't stop! My list of 50 inspired another list: "190 Artists Worth Knowing!"  View my lists on my OnCourse website.

The teaching objective is simple....I want my eclectic group of art students to see just how much art there is to see - and to feel how much art there is worth making! Based on this lesson, my students will do a research blog post inspired by one of the 50, and will then use their artist of choice as the inspiration for a 3 piece ceramic tea set - (a cup, saucer and dessert plate). We will have an artists' tea party this spring. Stay tuned for updates! Click here to see student research projects from last year.

Above is the slideshow that I prepared for my students.  The moral of the lesson... for every 50 artists, there are many more worth knowing!

Art is exponential!

2nd Marking Period & MidTerm Requirements

The Following Assignments are due by January 23rd:

• Finished Lantern

• Blind Contour Embellished Drawing           

• Bowl Contributions for our Empty Bowls Dinner

• Blog Requirements (earlier due date: listed below)

3 Blog Posts Due by midnight on January 18th = One Assignment Grade

   • Lantern:            

Write about your finished lantern, the process and the product. Include a photo or a video.

   • Empty Bowls:

Please write about how working on the bowls and toward this community service project has impacted you. Write about the importance for it, the need for it, and/or the phenomenon of hunger in America. Add pictures of your bowl & platter contribution(s) and/or the process of creating them. Speak from your heart.

   • Embellished Blind Contour Self-Portrait Drawing: will start in class on Jan 2

Write about your finished sketch. Include a photo.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2013 MIDTERM EXAM REQUIREMENTS - in 3 PARTS

• Artist Research Post: Due on January 11th

     25% OF YOUR MIDTERM EXAM GRADE!

• Book Page of "Creative Research Notes" for Mid-Term Project –

Due on the midterm exam period.  Bring it with you to class.

     25% OF YOUR MIDTERM EXAM GRADE!

• Mid-Term Project – to be created during the midterm exam period

     50% OF YOUR MIDTERM EXAM GRADE!

REFER TO THE HANDOUTS GIVEN IN CLASS FOR COMPLETE DIRECTIONS.

Congratulations Kate & Makenna

Two of my students had their work selected to be on display at the New Jersey Center of Performing Arts Winter Exhibit. The theme is "Mixed Media", for which 30 Pieces were selected from the pool of entries.  The show will be on display through February 9th, and is sponsored by The Art Educators of New Jersey.  A reception for the artists was held on Sunday, December 16th.

Top: Kate Watson: Grade 12,  Bottom: Makenna Douglas: Grade 10
Congratulations on this well deserved recognition!!

Makenna at the reception, receiving his award! Congratulations!!

Look Into the Light!

It's no surprise why I love my job. Somehow... in our little school, with our one, little art class...the kids who land in room 14 rarely disappoint. This assignment was no exception. There are still students working to finish their lanterns, but here are a few I can share. I think even if Beatrice Coron were their teacher, she would be pleased - I sure am!