by Mary Claire Angle
The Cincinnati Art Museum is bringing people and art together not only onsite at the museum, but also out in our community. Through our outreach program, LookSeeDo, the art museum is going to schools, libraries, and community organizations to facilitate arts programming for PreK through 6th grade students.
This fall the art museum has seven LookSeeDo program options; including five new curricula: Math, Mosaics, and More; The Geometry of Origami Sculptures; Capturing the Natural World; Finding the Narrative in Visual Arts; and The Fine Art of Charley Harper.
All LookSeeDo programs include looking at and discussing works of art in our permanent collection, followed by an art-making component, which is inspired by the works of art discussed and the overarching program theme. Each program is designed to make interdisciplinary connections with subject areas such as math, social studies, science, language arts, and fine arts.
For example, our 4th through 6th grade program, The Geometry of Origami Sculptures,begins with looking at and discussing two works of art, Albert Gleizes’ Building Construction and Mark Bradford’s Temporary. The students discuss the works of art, the artists, and their unique styles. They then take a closer look to discover how the artists incorporated geometry into their compositions.
After a thorough discussion, students then learn two origami folds and create their own 3D origami sculpture. The creative process allows time for the students to identify shapes, lines, and angles, in addition to considering asymmetric or symmetrical compositions for their sculptures.
Below is a full list of our 2015-2016 LookSeeDo programs and descriptions:
Through a Child’s Eyes: Down on the Farm Pre-K – Kindergarten
Students talk about life on a farm as they look closely at the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Marc Chagall’s Red Rooster. A hands-on art project, inspired by Chagall’s work of art, allows students to create their own “feathery friend” collage.
To learn more about the Through a Child’s Eyes early childhood curricula, visit www.art-throughachildseye.org
Cultural Celebrations 1st – 4th
Looking closely at works of art from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection, students gain a better understanding of celebrations within Native American cultures. Students also examine Native American symbols and demonstrate their understanding of symbolism as they create their own pendant necklaces.
Math, Mosaics, and More 1st – 3rd
Students explore connections between math and art as they discuss shapes and patterns in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection. They learn about the technique of mosaic making and then have the opportunity to make their own cut-paper mosaic.
The Geometry of Origami Sculptures 4th – 6th
Students explore how shapes and angles factor into works of art and discover how artists incorporate geometry into their compositions as they examine works from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection. Using origami techniques, students then try their hand at creating three-dimensional paper collages.
Capturing the Natural World 1st – 3rd
The natural world has long been a source of inspiration for artists. Students look closely at works of art from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection, including landscapes and Audubon illustrations, to better understand the connection between art and nature. They then learn how to make stamps to create their own landscape print.
Finding the Narrative in Visual Arts 4th – 6th
In this LookSeeDo, language arts merge with the visual arts as students use their observation and analytical skills to determine the stories being told in works of art from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection. They then create their own diorama, which becomes the stage for their own narrative.
The Fine Art of Charley Harper 1st – 3rd
Find inspiration from famed Cincinnati artist, Charley Harper. By looking at the artist’s minimal depictions of nature and wildlife, students take note of his unique style and technique. They then make garland inspired by Harper’s bird prints that will add a touch of color and whimsy to the space
If you are interested in booking a LookSeeDo program, please schedule at least one month in advance by calling the Tour Coordinator at (513) 639-2975. All programs run for approximately one hour each. There is a limit of 30 students per session. Programs are available for schools, libraries, and community organizations within the I-275 loop. LookSeeDo is $100 per program and $50 for each additional session on the same day. A maximum of four sessions per day can be scheduled.