Making [Art] History

In response to a parent question about Children’s House (ages 2.9 to 6 year-old) Art History and Studio, Vanessa Ring, that student’s Art teacher wrote back. I think her response speaks to the great collaborative thinking that is happening between art teachers, Sandy Nickerson (Head of School & Elementary II) and Vanessa (Children’s House and Elementary I). We at Bridgeview Montessori not only value creating in our studio space and well beyond but also naturally incorporating multiple perspectives and diverse curricula. I think Vanessa’s response is valuable for all or us.

Our Art Studio….. the heart of our school.

Vanessa’s response:

Inspiration at each work space…..

Thank you for reaching out. I'm so excited to hear [your daughter] is enjoying both her Art Studio and Art History classes. She is always so attentive and inquisitive. I really enjoy working with her!

In the Art Studio, we always display artwork that reflects diversity and inspiration. I've attached some pictures! In Art History, we follow a timeline, talking about a variety of artists from different periods. We tend to pick artists to study organically as we move through these periods. This year, we began with a brief review of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism from last year, and then segued into Art Nouveau (Gustav Klimt and Jeanne Paquin) and now Abstract Art (Wassily Kandinsky). Looking ahead as we continue with your studies, we intend to introduce Edward Curtis, Helen Cordero, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Alma Thomas. Sandy [our Head of School and Elementary II Art Studio and Art History teacher] and I are always looking and researching ways to intertwine women artists and people of color, though it has been a little tricky as we moved through movements cultivated in Europe during the mid-to-late 1800s. For example, we felt it essential to include Jeanne Paquin this year because female artists were so overshadowed by men. We will eventually be moving into the 1900s, and we're looking forward to introducing African-American artists such as Alma Thomas, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, Faith Ringgold, Xenobia Bailey, and Kara Walker. Oftentimes, people/artists will inspire projects in the art studio that do not coincide with our art history lessons so we use that extra time to expose our students to even more creative individuals. This year we've talked about Harriet Tubman and Alfie Jacques of the Onondaga Turtle Clan. Our Art History timeline is generally covered over a three-year cycle in keeping with Montessori’s approach. Artists we don't get to cover this year will be introduced the next school year until we have finished the Art History timeline, and then we start all over again.

I love that the two of you spent time looking at Jeanne Paquin's couture! You made my day! 

A small portion of the Art History timeline.

Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Vanessa Ring, Children’s House and Elementary I Art Studio and Art History teacher.