Students are introduced to the development of modern man, homosapiens, which means ” Smart Humans.” They also learn about the earliest art, a piece of mineral called “red ocher” with a crisscrossed pattern carved into it; it is believed to have been created by these early modern men and women. As modern man migrated to Europe, cave paintings with animals, stick figures, and handprints are found on cave walls. These details are explored in depth as well as scientist’s reasoning as to the possibilities of why this art was painted.
Students are introduced to the importance of Africa in relationship to the first art and the role Africa has played in the migration of all peoples to various parts of the world, focusing on art that comes from Africa and why it exists.
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Students learn when, the possibilities of why, and different views and opinions of the scientific community on how, and from where, the first Native Americans came to populate the Americas and mainly focuses on the art from different areas of North America.
Left to right: Native American cave drawing of dear, Clovis Hunters, one migration path, Head Chief – George Catlin .
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Students are taught a multitude of concepts associated with this fascinating ancient civilization. We touch upon their religious beliefs, customs, the development of written text and their reliance on the environment, mainly the Nile River that allowed them to flourish, focusing on Ancient Egyptian art and its meaning.
Students are familiarized with the Greek gods and Mythology along with famous sayings such as “Man Is The Measure of All Things” which is associated with the” ideal” or perfect and the high esteem they placed on the human form “The Body.” They also learn that the Greeks were responsible for the founding of our form of government “Democracy,” mathematics, and many of the words we use today.
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Students learn how the Ancient Romans brought about realism to the arts, representing people how they really looked and how it was part of their religious ritual to sculpt a death mask of a famous or wealthy patron. They also learn what great road builders the Ancient Romans were and how they even invented concrete and many other architectural processes.
Students are taught to understand the 1000 years of “The Middle Ages” from 312 A.D. to 1440 A.D. They become familiar with the progress of humankind in Europe especially, economically, socially, and artistically. They learn what certain types of art were so important and why they were.
Left to right: Feudalism, Reims Cathedral 13C., Knight in Shining Armor, Stained Glass Windows
In this class we elucidate the meaning of “The Renaissance,” why artists looked to Ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration and how art became so important due to wealthy patrons. Students learn who the Father of “The Renaissance” was and the three most important artists from the ”The High Renaissance” and what art they are famous for even today.
Students are taught about artists and events that led up to “The Age of Impressionism.” They will understand how visual art was produced before Impressionism and why artists decided to break traditional rules of painting of the time. (They went outdoors and painted what they saw on the spot as the sun reflected on the images). They will also learn who the first Impressionist artists were and how “Impressionism” got its name. Finally, they will be inspired by artworks of Neo-Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists.
Students develop a great respect for the people who constitute a large minority of the population of our country, the United States. The history of Latin America is explored and great classic and popular Hispanic and Latin American artists are introduced and celebrated with interesting facts as well as an understanding of the accents, colors, and artistic tastes of the many cultures that make up this diverse landscape of Latin America.
Left to right: Mayan Blue Process, Valázquez, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera mural
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