Teachers' Institute - Visual Arts

Syllabus:  Arts Intensive for Art Teachers

Target:      K-12 Visual Arts Teachers

Faculty: Joseph Thompson, Paul Yanko & Sharon Campbell

Suggested Texts:

Sculpture in Stone, Cami and Santamera,  Barron's Press, Handbuilt Ceramics, Triplett, Lark Books, Sterling Publishing, A Guide to Drawing, Mendelowitz, Wakemwan, Faber Thompson/ Wadsworth Press

Goals and Objectives:

This course is intended to enrich the lives of K-12 visual arts teachers by providing an opportunity to participate in critical analysis of process and product in Sculpture, Ceramics and Drawing/Painting. These critical analysis skills will be practiced with the goal of transferring analytical dialogue to classroom instruction in the K-12 school settings. The objective of the course will be to produce a work or series of works for exhibition the final day of the workshop, and have each participant contribute to the discussion of the work in the final show. In addition to these pedagogical goals, it is hoped that this intensive institute will foster a sense of artistic community for arts educators throughout the state.

Course Description:  Group 1, Stone Carving

In stone carving, each participant will complete an Alabaster stone carving, the form of which will be derived fro the figure. Each participant will generate a small maquette in clay referencing some part of the human form.  There will then be instruction in stone carving technique using hand tools. Each participant will then go through the process of carving and refining their form, and finally finishing the form for the final review.

Course Description: Group 2 Drawing/Painting

This course will create a visual dialogue between the practice of drawing and painting. Each participant will work in the Painting studio on a specific assignment or group of works, to be realized under the direction of the instructor, typically using oil or acrylic mediums. The imagery, conceptual underpinning and process for each student will be determined during the session.

Course Description: Group 3 Handbuilt Ceramics

In Handbuilt Ceramics, each participant will complete a series of handbuilt forms, which can be either functional or non-functional. Each participant will work in the ceramics studio on a group of works under the direction of the instructor. The imagery, conceptual underpinning and process for each student will be determined during the session.

Requirements:

Journal/Sketchbook (20%): Participants will create drawings and written entries based on observation and the readings assigned, everyday starting during the Pre-Session starting date of May 29, through June 27. Sketchbooks will be reviewed June 27.

Works of Art Produced (40%):  Each participant in the Ceramics and Painting / Drawing groups will have at least two highly resolved pieces for final exhibition. Each participant in the Stone Carving group will have one finished work for the final exhibition. In addition, it is expected that each participant will have at least 6 exercises demonstrating processes and approaches introduced during the class. The culmination of the exhibit will be an in-depth group critique.

Class and Open Studio Activities (20%): Participants will engage fully in all aspects of the course including field trips, museum tours, critiques, open studios, and readings.

Post Session Reflection (20%): In part A, participants will write a lesson plan integrating processes and information learned during the class. In part B participants are asked to reflect on their personal response to the course and how this exposure may change their classroom instructional strategies.