EDUCATION & STATEWIDE PARTNERSHIPS     |     FOR ADULTS     |     FOR TEENS     |     FOR FAMILIES & KIDS
FOR TEACHERS & STUDENTS     |     FOR STUDENT & PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS

2009–2010 Teacher Workshops

Where’s the art in your curriculum?
For the 2009-2010 season, VMFA offers a series of on-site teacher workshops as well as traveling workshops that you can book for your school—or at VMFA if it’s more convenient to bring your group of teachers to the Museum. Also, check back throughout the year for the latest information about the 2010 VMFA Summer Institutes for Teachers!

2009–2010 Teacher Workshops on-site at VMFA!

These VMFA teacher workshops offer interesting possibilities and innovative stategies for interdisciplinary learning. Participants receive resource packets with background information, lesson plans, vocabulary lists, and CDs of images. A light supper is also provided. Certificates of participation are awarded for those seeking re-certification points.

To register, phone the VMFA Ticket Desk at 804.340.1405, Monday–Friday, 8:45 am–4:30 pm. You may also buy tickets on-line. Fee: $20 each; $18 for Members; Questions? Call 804.204.2662 or e-mail.

American Architectures
Margaret Hancock / Thursday, Oct 8, 4:30–7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
With images from VMFA’s collection as catalysts for discussion, participants first look at Colonial era styles and materials in this workshop presented by the Virginia Center for Architecture’s Director of Programs. The session continues with investigations of later styles, forms and functions, and innovative uses of space, with a focus on Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry.

Shin-Hanga Prints by Kawase Hasui: Exploring the Scenic Wonders of Japan Jacque Minarik / Thursday, Oct 15, 4:30 –7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
Kawase Hasui, a prominent Japanese painter of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was one of the chief printmakers in the shin hanga (new prints) movement. Many of his print designs are based on his beautifully executed watercolors of Japan’s natural settings. In 1953, Japan honored Hasui as a National Living Treasure and commissioned a special woodblock print. Participants learn about this print and leave with numerous ideas for teaching printmaking to students.

Jaguars and Serpents and Eagles, Oh My! Pre-Columbian Arts and Legends (in English!)
Nylce Prada Myers / Thursday, Nov 12; 4:30 –7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
Using work from the VMFA as inspiration, participants dive into cultures that thrived in the Americas before the arrival of the conquistadores. This workshop was a huge hit last year when it was presented in Spanish. Many teachers have requested an English-language version—so here it is!

The Gilded Age through the Artist’s Eye
Dr. Jennifer Foley / Thursday, Dec 3, 4:30–7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
The Gilded Age is a fascinating era in American history, linked closely to England’s Edwardian Age and France’s Belle Epoque. Workshop participants investigate this rich historical period, from the costume balls of the moneyed set to the medical advances of the scientific community, through the eyes of artists such as John Singer Sargent, James Abbot McNeill Whistler, and Thomas Eakins.

If Winter Comes, Can Spring Be Far Behind?
Twyla Kitts / Thursday, Dec 10, 4:30–7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
Artists through the centuries have been inspired by the cycles of nature. Follow the seasons through works in the VMFA collection and elementary-level literature in this hands-on workshop designed for elementary art, history, and science area specialists.

War in Ink and Silver
Jeffrey Allison / Thursday, Jan 14, 4:30–7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
This workshop explores the visual representations of the Civil War as created by contemporary illustrators, photographers, cartoonists, and commercial artists. Utilizing artists such as Winslow Homer and photographers such as Alexander Gardner and Timothy O'Sullivan, participants compare the ways in which the realities of war were translated to the masses via images and words. This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

Shadow Puppets
Twyla Kitts / Thursday, Jan 21, 4:30 –7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
Did you know that VMFA’s collection includes 17 shadow puppets from South India? Although these leather puppets are exquisitely cut, embossed, and painted with vibrant colors, they are used to cast moving shadows on a white, semi-transparent screen. The resulting shadows act out the great epic stories of India. Learn more about this ancient tradition in this hands-on, resource-rich workshop.

The Harlem Renaissance
Della Watkins / Thursday, Feb 11, 4:30 –7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
Artist Jacob Lawrence created images of African-American life in witty and colorful ways. In this workshop, participants explore and embellish iconic American symbols using creativity, assorted materials, and the elements and principles of art (line, shape, color, rhythm, space, and balance).

More than Mali
Karen Getty / Thursday, Feb 25, 4:30 –7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
Programs about the magnificent history of Mali abound, but there is so much more to Africa! In this workshop, teachers look beyond Mali’s borders to explore neighboring countries and two cultural groups within them: the Yoruba and Akan. Participants discover fascinating connections between the visual and the verbal by examining art rooted in a rich oral tradition. Hands-on activities include art and writing projects.

Lessons of the Indian Epic Poem, the Ramayana
Dr. Jennifer Foley / Thursday, March 11, 4:30 –7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
The great Indian epic poem—the Ramayana—has been passed down for hundreds of generations, and its influence can be seen in Indian art, literature, history, and even Indian statecraft. This workshop explores Hindu culture by examining the characters and stories of the Ramayana as well as the artwork that illustrates this ancient tale. Hindu concepts, such as that of right behavior (dharma), are brought out through art and writing projects.

Louis Comfort Tiffany: Shades of Light
Celeste Fetta / Thursday, March 25, 4:30 –7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
Are you ready for Tiffany? You will be after this workshop that heralds the upcoming exhibition featuring Tiffany’s wondrous creations. Learn how this innovator’s breakthroughs in glass, metal, and jewelry changed the direction of decorative arts, interior design, and architecture.

Who was Septimius Severus?
Courtney Morano / Thursday, May 13, 4:30 –7 pm, Pauley Center, Studio B
Learn more about Rome’s African Emperor in this workshop that looks at the Roman Empire under his leadership. Find out how VMFA’s curatorial, conservation, and educational departments are working together to establish which parts of an ancient/17th-century hybrid sculpture are Roman and which are 17th century.

2009-2010 Traveling Teacher Workshops Come to your School!

You can book these VMFA Teacher Workshops at your school or at VMFA! Full-length (2.5-hour) workshops can be scheduled throughout the year. The cost for these sessions is $150, which provides the workshop experience for up to 35 teachers. Participants receive resource packets with background information, lesson plans, vocabulary lists, and CD’s of images. Hour-long sessions for faculty meetings or other occasions can also be arranged. Certificates of participation are provided for those seeking re-certification points.

Choose from these offerings suggested for Elementary level, Middle and High-School level,
or All Ages.

VMFA Teacher workshops can come to your school! For questions or to book a workshop, call Twyla Kitts at 804.204.2662 or e-mail .

ELEMENTARY LEVEL

Art History through Children’s Literature
Don’t miss this unique and entertaining exploration of art through books for children and young adults. This adventure includes discussions of picture books, chapter books, and non-fiction works that reflect many cultures and time periods. Discover new publications and reinvigorate old favorites.

Our Classical Heritage: Greece and Rome
What can you learn from Greek vases, Roman coins, marble statues, and golden jewelry? Find out in this hands-on workshop that explores the natural resources, architecture, politics, and sports of ancient Greece and Rome.

A Trip to the Tropics: Armchair Adventures with Henri Rousseau
French painter Henri Rousseau is perhaps best known for his tropical landscapes, at times dreamy and surrealistic, and always lush and brimming with life. In this workshop, participants investigate the man known as the Douanier, or Customs Officer, and his imaginative sojourns deep into jungle landscapes—and create our their exotic settings for armchair adventures! This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

Weather!
From thunderstorms on raging seas to sunny skies above pleasant gardens, artists have used weather phenomena to create mood, movement, and contrast in works of art. What’s the prediction? Designed especially for elementary art, science, and English teachers, this workshop includes art projects and creative writing assignments that relate to the weather-related components of the Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change and Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems strands in the Virginia SOLs. (Designed for grades 2–5).

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS

American Myths of the Wild West
As 19th-century landscape paintings sparked romantic interest in America's untamed wilderness, dime novels fueled the fantastic imagery with colorful depictions of human conquest and calamity. This workshop explores the paintings, novels, and films that contributed to American myths. This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

Bright Lights, Big City: Paris at the End of the 19th Century
After over 80 years of revolutions, violence, and political instability, it is easy to understand why the period of peace, prosperity, and culture that followed between roughly 1890 and 1914 is called the Belle Epoque (Beautiful Period). This workshop examines the visual art, literature, politics, and social conditions that informed this robust period and ultimately led to the war that did not end all wars. This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

Chasing the Illusive Image: The Origins of Photography
Although the notion of photography goes back at least to the fifth century B.C.E. when Chinese philosopher Mo Ti described the principle of the Camera Obscura, photography as we know it today was not officially announced to the world until 1839. In this Educator workshop, participants investigate the almost simultaneous development of two different systems of photography in France and in England. This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

Free Market: the Rise of the Merchant Class and the Ukiyo-e Print in Edo Period Japan
During the Edo Period (1603-1868), Japanese society was in the midst of important changes, with the merchant class growing in size, wealth, and power. Perhaps the most well known art form that gained popularity during this period was the woodblock print. This workshop investigates Edo Period Japan through the contemporary ukiyo-e images of the landscape, life, and interests of the rising class of townspeople.

The Gilded Age through the Artist’s Eye
The Gilded Age is a fascinating era in American history, linked closely to England’s Edwardian Age and France’s Belle Epoque. Workshop participants investigate this rich historical period, from the costume balls of the moneyed set to the medical advances of the scientific community, through the eyes of artists such as John Singer Sargent, James Abbot McNeill Whistler, and Thomas Eakins. This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

A Horse of Course: The Equine Image in Art
Of the thousands of examples of rock art found at Lascaux, at Niaux, at Vallon-Pont-d'arc and other sites across France and Spain, nearly a third of the figures represent horses. In this workshop, participants look at the horse in art history, tracing the ways in which artists have used the horse as subject matter over the millennia. This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

Light and Color: Art, Science, and Perception
How is the eye like a camera? Why does color seem to change as the background changes? Learn the answers to these and many other questions in this investigation of light and color.

Lessons of the Indian Epic Poem, the Ramayana
The great Indian epic poem—the Ramayana—has been passed down for hundreds of generations, and its influence can be seen in Indian art, literature, history, and even Indian statecraft. This workshop is designed to allow instructors to explore Hindu culture by examining the characters of the Ramayana, and the choices they make. Teachers will be able to explore a number of Hindu concepts, such as that of right behavior (dharma), through an investigation of the epic poem, the Ramayana, and the ways in which the story is told through the visual arts.

Redefining an American Vision: From Walt Whitman to Robert Frank
The first edition of Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, published in 1855, did not include the author’s name; instead Whitman was represented by an engraving based on a Daguerreotype portrait, one of many photographs of the author done over the years. This workshop begins with Whitman’s efforts to define the American experience and concludes with a visual reading of The Americans by Robert Frank. This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

They All Came to Paris: An American Fascination
From the days of the American Colonies when Benjamin Franklin enjoyed the foods and wines of Paris between diplomatic meetings to artists as diverse as Winslow Homer and Miles Davis, Americans have traveled to Paris and added their unique glow to the City of Lights. This Educator workshop explores the experiences and perceptions of extraordinary Americans who were changed forever by their time in Paris. This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

ALL AGES

The Artful Educator
Based on the concept that art is a language, this workshop demonstrates that the vocabulary of visual images can be a powerful interdisciplinary tool for teaching across grades and subject areas. Learn how to use observation skills to systematically examine paintings and explore new ideas for teaching with art. This workshop also highlights VMFA’s educational resources and programs, which are perfect for enhancing your classroom experiences.

Look at That! Critical Thinking + Art = Knowledge Retention
What in the world can you learn from just looking at pictures? This workshop provides resources for constructing new understandings of our cultural, social, and political history by discovering clues in works of art! After all, every work of art is a primary source from the era in which it was made. (Adaptable to a variety of subjects and grade levels.)

MAPS: Making it Visual
If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine how many words a map is worth—especially if you know how to read it! In this workshop, participants examine different kinds of historical and conceptual maps, learn a bit of map history, and receive lesson plans that help students understand the connections among maps, history, and culture.

War in Ink and Silver: Illustrations and Illusions of the Civil War
This workshop explores the visual representations of the Civil War as created by contemporary illustrators, photographers, cartoonists, and commercial artists. Utilizing artists such as Winslow Homer and photographers such as Alexander Gardner and Timothy O'Sullivan, participants compare the ways in which the realities of war were translated to the masses via images and words. This workshop is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.

RESOURCE SESSION
Kit and Caboodle: VMFA Resources for Teachers
This resource session offers an engaging overview of the museum’s collection, educational resources, discovery kits, teacher workshop offerings, and more. Art’s not just for art class. It’s a dynamic and powerful interdisciplinary teaching tool! The 20-minute version is free; 1-hour version (add an activity) is $75.