Getting to know Corot
I admit that if an artist is not in the Art Docent Program, I know nothing about them! So I when I visited Westmont College’s campus recently, I was eager to visit the Corot exhibit at their art museum. Glad I did; Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot is my new favorite artist! I enjoyed viewing his tranquil […]
Women’s History Month!
It’s a question no one has asked me in a long time. During our exhibit at the PTO expo in Pleasanton, CA last week, an attendee asked me why there are so few women artists in the Art Docent Program. I told her that was a good question and that I had a response for […]
Looking at Art
I recently read a magazine article about the pursuit of beauty that has stuck with me. It was written by a 40-year veteran art teacher who is alarmed about the future of American art. “Young people today, immersed in a digital universe, love the volatile excitement of virtual reality, but they lack the patience to […]
Arts & Activities Magazine
One of our most treasured resources as art education enthusiasts is the Arts & Activities Magazine. This monthly magazine features great tools for those teaching kindergarten through high school and parents who simply love art. It provides step-by-step directions for art projects you can teach in your classroom or at home.It also includes the history […]
Teaching Creativity
The process of creating, exploring and discovering through art helps children develop many important life skills. Art helps foster positive mental health, while also allowing children to explore their imagination and communicate feelings they might not otherwise express. The skills that are achieved through art at a young age influence the rest of your life. […]
Claude Monet: Artist, impressionist, marvel
Eminent for his impressionist pieces featuring brilliant water lilies, colorful gardens and epic landscapes, Claude Monet was an artist whose name is recognized around the world. On the 12th of this month, Monet would have celebrated his 172nd birthday. So, in honor of the founder of French impressionist painting, we would like to take the […]
Five Teaching Tips For Docents!
1. Partner Up! During the classroom discussion about the artworks, ask a question and have the students stand up and share their responses with the student next to them. This not only gets the “wiggles” out but also allows every student to respond to the question. 2. Popsicle Sticks Write the name of each student […]
Fall In Love With Art
Summer is once again, coming to an end and fall is just around the corner. September is not only a great month for this seasonal transition, but it gives us all a chance to appreciate those warm colors that represent fall time. First off, what are seasons, exactly? Seasons describe the change in weather, the […]
Youth Art Month: Make Your Mark This March!
Well, it’s finally here! It’s Youth Art Month (YAM) during the month of March, and this couldn’t be a better time to share the power of art with your school and community. YAM was created in 1961 by the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) to generate more public support for youth arts education and […]
All About Basquiat
It’s February everyone! You know what that means. Yes, Valentine’s Day has come and gone– but we’d like to recognize Black History Month! In honor of this historical month, we’d like to talk about a very important and, beyond all other things, interesting American artist. Jean-Michel Basquiat was not only known for wearing four ponytails […]