Discovering with Art

One of their favorite sculptures.

In an effort to encourage kids to appreciate what is around them visually, I always try to instill in them some art appreciation. I don’t have an art background but I appreciate all forms of art; everything from the little label on a banana (someone had to design that) to a Rembrandt at the museum. We may not like it all, but it should be observed, evaluated or just discussed. I would always be shocked when I asked which art was my kid’s favorite when we visited museums. I would be surprised and enlightened with their choices and explanations. It provided insight into their soul.

Another favorite art “piece”

When we visited Philadelphia my favorite part of the trip would be taking a walking tour of the beautiful sculptures around town, taking pictures, discussing our favorites and why they felt the way they did. I always got to know my kids more by discussing what their opinions were. This exercise can also be done with virtual museum tours on line. It’s an opportunity to ask thought provoking questions like:
Which sculpture is your favorite? Why is it your favorite? What do you think it represents? What do you think the artist was trying to convey?

Take pictures, if permitted, when not in a museum, and journal it or create a PowerPoint presentation. Below is a suggested PowerPoint assignment that can be completed with a virtual tour online, or after a walking tour or museum.

Some good sites for online art are posted on websites such as Teen Ink, Art section, http://www.teenink.com/art/. Teen Ink is a great website I like to use with my children and students, because all the submissions are from teenagers.

Google also has virtual tours if you follow the link: http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/project/art-project.
Step by Step directions and some good thought provoking questions for a PowerPoint presentation you might want to use can be:

• Choose 5 favorite pictures that you would put in your home because they represent a part of who you are or a part of your past present or future.
• Cut and paste the picture into your PowerPoint presentation.
• For every favorite picture answer the below questions with a PowerPoint presentation:
o Describe the picture and artist.
o What feelings did it evoke for you?
o Why did you choose it?
o Would you change anything about the art?
o Is there anything in the art that is symbolic of something else?
o Write a pretend or real letter to the artist. What would you say to him or her?

As your child discusses his or her art picks other questions and discussion points might arise. The conversation is guaranteed to teach you something about your child, which is my favorite part of parenting!