Jacob Lawrence Story & Sound

Posted on 27. Nov, 2009 by in All Posts, Music+Art

Jacob Lawrence 1

The 1920′s and 1930′s Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of African-American poetry, music and art. Jacob Lawrence lived and created his art at the center of it in New York city’s Harlem neighborhood. According to Whitney Museum of American Art, he painted what he saw and later became interested in African-American history and culture and chronicled lives of famous people like Harriet Tubman. Below you will discover clips of music from the Harlem Renaissance and resources about Jacob Lawrence that you can bring into the classroom.

Great resources on Jacob Lawrence:

Show your students how the arts are interconnected with samples of music, art & writing from the amazing Harlem Renaissance period.


Trouble viewing the YouTube video above? Bypass the YouTube Block could help.

Museum Manners

Posted on 18. Nov, 2009 by in All Posts, Clssrm Mgmt, Neat Video, Organization and Preparation

Art museum visits and art history discussions can be great learning opportunities for students.  However, it just takes a few negative student attitudes to change the experience for the entire class. The following Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) video addresses many art conversations and museum etiquette issues in an entertaining format directed at tweens and teens.

Can’t view YouTube video above? See it at the AIC website.

Possible Discussion Questions:
1. What did you learn about visiting a museum that you didn’t know before?
2. Why might each artwork have different meanings to different people?
3. What type of art do you like best? Why?

Artsonia: More Than Just An Online Art Gallery

Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by in All Posts, Positive Reinforcement, Tech Stuff

ArtsoniaIf you’re an art educator, chances are that you have heard of or even have been using Artsonia as a place to “digitally hang” student artwork.   When I started using Artsonia six years ago, I knew it would be good for my students; what I didn’t know at the time was how it would become an amazing art advocacy tool.

Artsonia has become better than any student art show I could host; it reaches more family and friends, regardless of geographic distance or busy schedule, communicates art concepts in project descriptions, reinforces student technology use, and generates funds for your program. It does all that . . . without all the staples and tape.

The benefits breakdown:

  • Generates funds for your art program.  Artsonia is completely free to use and 15% of the revenue from purchased products, featuring your student’s artwork, goes back to your art program. (via Dick Blick art supplies credit or check to your school art program)
  • Artwork stays online forever! The vision of Artsonia is to someday have your 2nd graders show their artwork to their children and grandchildren by way of their Artsonia gallery. Older students love looking back at how they have grown as an artist over the years.
  • Communicates your art objectives for each art experience.  When parents understand what their child is learning it validates and builds support for your art curriculum.
  • Motivates children to do their best in class when they know hundreds of people could see their artwork from around the world.
  • Fan Clubs reach family members and friends who might otherwise never see student art, updating them via email each time an artwork is added.
  • Comments left for artists from visitors are a great self-esteem boost!  All comments must be approved by parents so it is completely monitored (by someone other than you).

    • Ok, sounds good but. . .
    . . . well here are some of the nuts and bolts to help you get you started.


    Can’t see video above? Click here.

    Permission slips. Depending on your school policy, you may be required to get permission slips for participating artists.  Make your own or download and customize one of these templates: Casual or Formal (Microsoft Word format). Be sure to include a space for parent email addresses on your permission slip. Increasing participation from family and friends is the key to success in Artsonia.  It is worth the extra time to enter emails – parents get an email each time artwork is published or comments are posted, continually keeping them in touch with the learning going on in your classroom.

    Volunteers. I started using volunteers to help me last year (I don’t know why I waited so long).  I keep a bin to hold artwork ready to photograph along with a binder holding class lists, and a camera (with extra batteries).  When artwork is ready, I send out an email to my volunteer list.  The first volunteer to “Reply All” agrees to photograph and digitally crop the artwork.  The only step left is uploading – something I still prefer to do myself, but certainly doable for a volunteer.  In the fall I do a training session and provide this Photography Tip Sheet and Guidelines for volunteers to reference.

    Start slow and set a goal. My first year participating in Artsonia I promised to put up one piece of art for each student.  I ended up adding more, but I felt like I didn’t raise any expectations too high for the students or myself.

    Do you use Artsonia?  Please add your school page and any tips in the comments area below.