1.) Art brings beauty to the world. As artists, we have the power to see beauty and show others what we see. If there is no beauty around us, we have the power to create some! The world is a better place because of art. Larry Allen taught me something about beauty when my son and I visited his studio last spring. He told me that once, a group of troubled students took a field trip to his studio. He told them this story about the power of art:
2.) Art helps us to communicate. Through art, we can express things we can not say in any other way. Because of this, and because of beauty, art is therapeutic. It can be a stress reliever! Scientists have found that people who practice art actually live longer! When people say, "I can express myself with my art," they are really saying that art helps them to communicate.
3.) Art makes us smarter! With art, we are challenged to think of new ways to solve problems; creativity = problem solving. Statistics show that students are much more likely to stay in school and score higher on the ACT and SAT if they are in art classes. You are using different parts of your brain in art than in your regular academic classes. Simply using your imagination stimulates your brain!
4.) Art is such an important part of our lives: Picasso once was asked, "What is art?" He replied, "What is NOT art?" All these things would cease to exist unless a creative artist invented them:
- fashion, jewelry, shoes, hair styles, etc.
- cars, trucks, planes, trains, etc.
- furniture, paintings, sculptures, photographs, etc.
- houses, restaurants, museums, stores, etc.
- video games, movies, television shows, etc.
- cell phones, cameras, Youtube, computers, etc.
- and the list goes on and on .....
Today, we viewed several video clips of Alabama artists. Some were potters, some painters, and some photographers. Where do these artists get their inspiration? Why do they create what they do? Is it because they want to bring beauty to the world? Or, are they expressing what they think about the world through their art? How do some artists show us what they find beautiful and interesting?
Today's Objectives:
- I can be a respectful member of the audience during the video clips about Alabama artists.
- I can write down 3 facts during each video.
- I can explain the inspiration behind the artists' work.
Video #1: Master Potter, Larry Allen
Video #2: Blind Painter, Ricky Trione (Youtube)
Video #3: Dori DeCamillis, Painter
Video #4: Thornton Dial, Internationally Known Collage Artist and Painter (Youtube)
Video #5:
Video #6:
Video #7: Creation Calls Nature Photography
