Have you ever wondered about art you see in your city such as sculptures or murals? Have you wondered why it’s there? Or how to describe it? This week’s lesson is an adaptation of the Association for Public Art’s lesson plans for public art in Philadelphia.
- Read and follow the lesson plan:
ADAPTATION
You can adapt the activity from the first lesson for your city by applying the same principles to your area.
2. Watch this PBS video about the elements of art:
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/7a50f240-0d56-4ce6-a955-bc5accaf9879/elements-of-art/
3. Find public art in your city (either by visiting in person or use Google Maps and Google Street View). Use these websites to help you find public art in your area. Or search your for public art in your city.
https://www.publicartarchive.org/
https://indyarts.org/artists/artist-resources/item/public-art-commissions-where-to-find-them
4. Select one piece of public art.
5. Take a photograph or screen shot of the piece of art.
6. Find as many Elements of Art in your chosen piece of art. The elements are: Line, Shape, Form, Color, Space, Texture, Value, Light, Shadow
7. Create a diagram to show the elements of art. Use your photograph or screenshot. Draw lines or shade areas on the image and label as many Elements of Art as you can find.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
8. Next, learn about the Principles of Design through this PBS video:
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/459077ac-6d7d-4eef-bd7e-e38d12e7ce97/principals-of-design/
9. Here’s a great reference sheet about the Principles of Design from the Getty Museum:
https://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/building_lessons/principles_design.pdf
10. Select a difference piece of public art.
11. Take photograph of screen shot of the piece of art.
12. Find as many Principles of Design as you can in this work of art. The principles are: Balance, emphasis, movement, pattern, repetition, proportion, rhythm, variety, unity
13. Label the image of the piece of art with as many Principles of Design as you can find.
For more information
Public art in your area: https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/public-art
Public art in rural areas https://www.rural-design.org/webinars
Noteworthy public art in the US https://mymodernmet.com/public-art-in-the-us/
Ashville, NC Urban Art Trail https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&mid=1LYYFBQxT1rndrlyJvBn21ukm4r0&ll=35.596144532487465%2C-82.55237050000001&z=17
San Jose, CA Public Art Collection https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments/office-of-cultural-affairs/public-art
Lancaster, PA Public Art https://www.lancasterpublicart.com/public-art-in-lanc
Nebraska Public Art (Omaha, Lincoln, Interstate 80) https://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/opportunities/for-the-community/public-art.html
Denver, CO https://www.denver.org/things-to-do/denver-arts-culture/public-art/
Albuquerque, NM https://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/public-art/public-art-in-albuquerque
Lubbock, TX https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/PublicArt
Columbus, Ohio https://citypulsecolumbus.com/columbus-public-art-top-10/
Memphis, TN https://wearememphis.com/culture/arts/best-places-see-public-art-memphis/
Yellow Springs, OH https://ysnews.com/news/2018/12/a-tour-of-yellow-springs-murals
Chicago, IL https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/provdrs/public_art_program.html