Teachers regularly download images from the Web for personal and classroom use. The original creators of these images can, but should not be, easily ignored. It may take some scrolling and clicking at the site, but finding who holds rights to works is not only considered professional etiquette, but is necessary for lawful use. In this article, the…

This brief article describes notable events in Margaret Bourke-White's life and links these events to one of her well-known prints, "The George Washington Bridge." Margaret Bourke-White is best known for her photojournalism and commercial photography. Her photograph of the George Washington Bridge published in Fortune magazine in 1933, explores…

This article discusses how drawing closer to nature, two profoundly important and powerful qualities are experienced. First, the entire world takes on a new degree of poignancy, luminosity, preciousness, subtlety, mystery, and intimacy. Second, the author points out how we increasingly experience ourselves in just the same way: poignant, luminous,…

A truly inspirational form of art is not always displayed on gallery walls. It can be found by looking out the window, down the street, at the edge of town, or even on the train tracks. This teacher finds it rare to hear people--except graffiti writers themselves--speak about graffiti as a form of art. Graffiti writing is usually equated with…

Relief sculpture is an art form that is midway between painting and sculpture in the round. It is a process in which the subject stands out or projects a surface from the background. The surface has several levels. It can be low relief or high relief (deep or almost round) or anywhere in between. The most common example of low relief is a coin…

Students delight in making books. This bookmaking project merges the idea of sketchbooks with artist's books--books made by, and for, the artist in which ideas and memories get formulated and stored for later use or reminiscence. Young art students can be taught to appreciate the important qualities of sketchbooks. For many students, making a…

In this article, the author discusses how because of its simple and pure form, folk art appeals to younger students because they identify with its whimsical qualities. She tells the story of how her students enjoyed learning about folk art in her own art class. Projects completed by the students are described in detail in this article.

Although the craft and art of bookmaking has a rich history, artworks about books are relatively new. The author teaches in a school that has an international population where a variety of languages and cultures flourish. He took this opportunity to develop a ceramic unit that combined sculptural design, the history of bookmaking, and traditional…

One way to increase awareness of endangered national heritage is to teach youth the importance of the land through the study of selected works of art. This article describes a lesson, in which students will study the work of Thomas Moran and create a mountain range collage. A short biography of Thomas Moran is included.

In this article, the author states that the aim of drawing closer to nature is to employ the artistic processes to draw our selves--mind, body, and spirit--closer to nature. When so repositioned, our thoughts and behaviors--artistic and otherwise take on depth, grace, and richness of expression--just what we want for our life and our art. Sections…

Did you ever wish that you could give students the experience of displaying their work in a gallery setting or attending a gallery opening? It can be done, and for an investment of about fifty dollars. Once organized, the gallery can continue to be maintained at minimal expense. As an elementary principal, the author believed that an art gallery…

Each time John Senz starts an art lesson with tattoos, the frenzy of fun is predictable, even for staff. Senz looks forward to a busy day when he reaches for the airbrush and cosmetic paint. Students pick up the technique of airbrushing quickly and can't wait to paint designs on their skin. Although topics such as history, design, business, and…

Throughout the day, art teachers make decisions--some impromptu, others after considerable deliberation. Some are simple, easy, black-and-white choices; others involve gray areas of uncertainty--areas that need legal interpretation. This article is intended as a guide for structuring curriculum and instruction to ensure that every student's…

History is alive and well in Lebanon, Missouri. Students in this small town in the southwest region of the state went above and beyond the community's expectations on this special project. This article describes this historical journey which began when students in a summer mural class reconstructed a mural that was originally created by a…

Youth Art Month (YAM) is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art education for all students and to encourage support for quality school art programs. Youth Art Month (YAM) is in virtually every state, in many communities, in schools, libraries, stores, and other places. Anyone can start an observance--an art educator, a…