Art & Language Arts Online

800-Year-Old Manuscripts Connect to the Present Day

January 30th, 2012 Theresa Sotto Comments off

Teachers in this year’s Art & Language Arts program discovered just how illuminating medieval books can be! Last Saturday at the Getty Center, teachers learned how books were made in the Middle Ages, created laws for imaginary kingdoms, illuminated tales of dragons and angels, and more!

: In the exhibition Gothic Grandeur: Manuscript Illumination, 1200-1350, we were impressed by naturalistic drapery precisely painted on tiny figures.

: After a lively tour led by curator Elizabeth Morrison, teachers were excited to learn more about the art of illuminated manuscripts.

: Artist Sylvana Barrett brought in an array of materials to demonstrate the pigments, tools, and techniques involved in making illuminated manuscripts.

: You can still see a little bit of fur on this piece of parchment!

: Sylvana demonstrates how to cut gold leaf and then apply it to the pages of books.

: In medieval times, lead was used to make white paint, so illuminators had to be extremely careful. You can bet that little jar in Sylvana’s hand is kept tightly closed.

: Artist Nora Shields leads a workshop inspired by a book of feudal laws on view in the museum.

: Elizabeth Cervantes and Crystal Wai from Carlos Santana Arts Academy create quills.

: Teachers from Washington Elementary School in Burbank devise laws for their imaginary kingdom.

: Teachers from Ellen Ochoa Learning Center have a blast illuminating their creative laws.

: In this teacher’s imaginary kingdom, people know how to have a good time.

: Here’s a close-up of the law devised for a fun-filled kingdom.

: Who wouldn’t want to live in this imaginary kingdom?

: Teachers were encouraged to use primary colors and create patterns.

: Teacher James Bean came up with a law that would be appropriate for all ages.

: Teachers of grades 3-5 viewed images in the Getty Apocalypse and were asked to imagine what would happen next.

: In this teacher’s version of the story, the dragon does not have a good day.

: And in this version of the story, the dragon and the angel have a long battle ahead.

Categories: Art-making activities, Arts-integrated language arts lessons, Getty programs

Tags: Getty programs, lesson ideas, manuscripts, painting

Sun Prints on a Not-So-Sunny Day

November 22nd, 2011 Theresa Sotto Comments off

A rainy Los Angeles day did not stop teachers from creating sun prints and taking pictures with pinhole cameras outside. Our November Art & Language Arts workshop focused on ways to connect our vast and diverse photography collection to the elementary classroom. Teachers were particularly moved by powerful works of art by Carrie Mae Weems in the Narrative Interventions in Photography exhibition.

: Education Specialist Ami Davis shares ideas and information to prepare teachers for bringing their students to the Getty—in as stress-free a way as possible.

: Gallery teacher Noelle Valentino discusses a photogram that incorporates text and images.

: Teachers arranged shapes to create objects from nature, and then used those shapes and related text for their sun prints.

: Inspired by Carrie Mae Weems, teachers incorporated text and found images to create new works of art in a workshop led by museum educator Sandy Rodriguez.

: Teachers discuss ways they can incorporate Carrie Mae Weems’s art into their classrooms.

: Photographer Luther Gerlach demonstrates how the pinhole camera can be made out of a paint can.

: Wtih pinhole cameras in hand, teachers explored the garden looking for interesting shots.

: Teachers from Carlos Santana Arts Academy are excited by the image they captured.

: Teachers learn the process for developing prints—the old school way.

: Photographer Luther Gerlach describes how an aperture works in a camera.

Categories: Art-making activities, Arts-integrated language arts lessons, Getty programs

Tags: Getty programs, photography

The Getty Center Transformed into A Place of Play

August 16th, 2011 Theresa Sotto Comments off

Over 90 teachers gathered at the Getty Center on Saturday, August 13, to play games in the galleries and discover playful art-making activities. The 12th Annual Art & Language Arts Alumni Event, which focused on the theme of “Play & Pastimes,” brought out the playful spirit in teachers and Getty staff alike.

: Educator and author Laurel Schmidt listed words that teachers think of when they hear the word “play.” The circled words relate to what our brains do when we engage in playful, new activities.

: Laurel Schmidt shared so many playful and meaningful strategies, such as letting students use sidewalk chalk in the playground to practice writing.

: Teachers had a blast participating in an improv game inspired by Ellsworth Kelly’s sculpture Untitled, which was led by museum educator Jennifer Li.

: Jennifer Li discussed Rembrandt’s Abduction of Europa and then led teachers in a lively improv game.

: Museum educator Kelly WIlliams demonstrated how to use a toy squirt gun to create wacky watercolors.

: Teachers created a “mystery painting” with white crayon on white paper and then switched their drawings with a partner. Partners completed the works of art using watercolors.