The Visual Arts program at Smith School is approached using the philosophy of Discipline Based Art Education which consists of four components: Art Production, Art History, Art Criticism, and Aesthetics.  In Kindergarten, children spend 45 minutes in the Art room each week.  Children in grades 1-5 come to Art for one hour each week.  Our goal is to become "Art Smart" as we take on the challenge of solving creative problems.

Art Production-Student artists produce visual expressions, designs, and communicate through Drawing, Painting, 3- Dimensional Forms, or other Mixed Media (possibly including Printmaking, Collage, or Fiber Arts.)  Children work with materials that artists use which enable them to think as an artist might think.

Art History- Students study various works of both historical and contemporary artists as well as arts indicative of other cultures. Through the study of Art History, students are provided with a time line that shows how artists, styles, and periods follow one another.  Children gain a sense of shared experiences and common understanding by studying how others handle the same materials and techniques while expressing the same kinds of feelings and ideas that they have.

Some of the artists/styles/cultures your child will study include:

Kindergarten Grandma Moses, Piet Mondrian, Lio Lionni (illustrator)
Grade One Mary Cassatt, Henri Rousseau, Edward Hicks, African Art
Grade Two Paul Klee, Claude Monet, Romare Bearden, Japanese Art
Grade Three Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, Vincent Van Gogh, Native American Art
Grade Four Georges Seurat, Georgia O'Keeffe, Optical Illusions, Early American Art
Grade Five Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Surrealism, Pop Art, Cubism

Art Criticism- Students learn about using the elements and principles of design to help describe and evaluate their work and the work of others.

Aesthetics- Students reflect upon and make their own judgments and opinions about Art.

Artwork that the children create in the Art room is stored in their Art portfolio until the end of the year.  This helps the children and myself to see the progress that they have made each year.  Portfolios are always available for sharing.  Please feel free to stop by the Art room any time to see your child's progress.  If you have further questions about your child's Art program, please contact me at Smith School.   I am looking forward to a wonderful year with your children as they delight in all the challenges they are presented with.

Mrs. Diane Maloney -Visual Arts Teacher, part time: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday