A language system comprises a grammar and a lexicon. Fine art has no lexicon and, therefore, no grammar. Graphic or auditory expressions become artistic material only when attention is given to the expression itself rather than to its meaning. Representational works of art do sometimes incidentally work as channels of communication. (RM)

Identifies three developmental stages in children's use of art materials: exploration, intuitive design, and intended design. Discusses the importance of and reasons for fostering the creative processes in young children. (ED)

Examines whether the use of artistic expression in counseling heightened clients' emotional awareness. Analyzed the content of the dialog of six clients who used artistic expression and found that their level of experiencing increased as they discussed their pictures. Recommends art therapy as an adjunct to verbal modes of counseling. (RJM)

Focuses on ways that children in art classes can be "gift artists." Discusses different types of gifts that children can create, such as presents for their parents or presents that have been personalized. (CMK)

This paper describes an investigation of problem finding in art. The concept of empathy with oneself is hypothesized as the means by which artists perceive problems. This concept is then used to analyze the origins of Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury" and van Gogh's "The Starry Night" as well as the origins of art works…

Explores the similarities between paintings of the abstract expressionists and those of young children. Similarities include total surface coverage, disregard for details, direct application of pigment, disregard for visual perspective, and use of the painting surface as a frontal plane. (CB)

This paper describes the organization, Artists Call, as well as several slides shown during the presentation to illustrate "visual solidarity" between artists of the United States and Central America. In 1983, artists in 27 U.S. cities as well as Paris and Mexico City organized Artists Call against U.S. Intervention in Central America.…

Interview with Don Seiden--artist, educator, and regional pioneer in the field of art therapy practice and training in the Midwest. Seiden reflects on historical developments in the field and future trends in the profession. Central to the conversation is the unique perspective that artists bring to the fields of mental health and science.…

This reprint of a 1938 article presents a plea for art education by American artist Grant Wood. Wood says that all children need the opportunity to express themselves in drawing and painting in order to be happy. He explains the importance of teaching expression through art rather than teaching art techniques. (SM)

Describes a fourth-grade art activity inspired by Cochiti Pueblo Indian Helen Cordero's Storyteller figures and also gives historical background of the figures. Explains that students created a personal storyteller figure that told about ideas or things important to them. Provides an understanding of the artmaking process from idea to product.…

A group of adolescent girls portray in art and in words their journey from trauma and hurt to trust and hope. Students, who are members of a positive peer culture group, designed and painted a mural in three sections. As a whole, the mural represents the three stages of the adolescent process. (Author)

This book describes the use of drawing in therapy. Stimulus drawings (SDs) and techniques were developed in the 1960s for use with deaf children at a time when manual communication was forbidden in their schools. During the 1970s, the drawings were expanded for use with learning-disabled children, adult stroke-patients, and others with…

This paper asserts the central function of creativity as a basis of approach to English teaching as an art. Creative writing is discussed as one attempt to discover, release, and enrich the potentialities of being and to give order and structure to the inner world of the child. In order to develop creativity in children, teachers are encouraged…

High school students who visit museums have many diverse life experiences, and instructors must understand that the experience is tremendous preparation for looking at art. The article explains how to encourage students to respond to art rather than talk at them about what they should know. (SM)

Describes activities of kindergarten through grade-four students in an art classroom that emphasizes expression of creative process along with the product. Explores interconnections between art, thinking, and writing as expressed by a former language arts teacher who transfers her knowledge of language, words, and creative expression to art. (BAC)