Many educators would say that pencils, paint, and paper are the most important tools in the artroom, but are they really? If they look deeply at how students create art, it is their beginning ideas and concepts that gauge the success of a work of art. Without proper planning and guidance, even the most talented students will struggle through their…

In the author's art class, she found that many of her students in an intro art class have some technical skill, but lack the ability to think conceptually. Her goal was to create an innovative project that combined design, painting, and sculpture into a compact unit that asked students how they define themselves. In the process of answering this…

There are many wonderful experiences and resources from which to create innovative and dynamic works of art. It is important to remember that students don't always have these skills and experiences. It is up to the teacher to provide in-depth prompts to inspire their students to master their technique, as well as the unique storytelling skills a…

As the nation's first standards-based art event, the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) is opening doors and creating opportunities for art students. VASE is the brainchild of passionate art educators who believe that high-school artists have potential far beyond the basic juried art exhibition. They believe that students should be able to create…

In the past, the newspaper was one of the world's most used sources of information. Recently, however, its use has declined due to the popularity of cable television and the Internet. Yet the idea of reading the morning paper with a hot cup of coffee holds many warm memories for children who watched their parents in this daily ritual. In this…

In this article, the author describes how she was inspired to develop a new approach for art educators and professional development. The art activity she developed places both the student and teacher on the same playing field. The project entails integration of a teacher's and a student's work. The art activity allows two individuals to work…

Observational drawing is one of the most important skills art students need; however, it can be difficult to put a new spin on an otherwise old concept. In this article, the author relates how she had used a new approach--ready-made still lifes--to observational drawing in her art class. This approach requires the artist to discover ready-made…

In this article, the author describes how she conducts her art classes. She relates that she begins all of her classes by asking prompting questions and presenting basic information such as a definitions of art terminologies to her students. The author believes in brainstorming with her students, an effective way for creating a dialog with her…