When first encountering contemporary art, the viewer is confronted with particular challenges--the works can be both surprising in application of materials and provocative in presentation. Contemporary art can confound its audience as they attempt to decode and interpret its meaning. This Instructional Resource outlines an approach for art…

This essay examines the experiences of "lau hala" ("pandanus" leaf plaiting) weavers for the pedagogical philosophies and strategies embedded in this Hawaiian art form in an effort to broaden the ways in which we understand and practice art education in any setting. Drawing on personal experiences as "lau hala"…

C. Maxx Stevens, Katy Stone, and Hildur Bjarnadottir create monumental sculptural paintings, installations, and textiles to impart ideas regarding domesticity and nature as well as stories of evolving family or community traditions. Questioning and breaking traditional rules of art in unique ways, their innovative and graceful use of alternative…

Explains flameworking, the art of melting glass rods over flames and shaping the hot glass artistic or useful forms. (DS)

Presents an elementary art activity that successfully teaches the process of slabbing by having students create fishbowl plaques. Explains the process step-by-step beginning with a demonstration to the students along with showing previous examples. Endorses a type of clay that fires white because the glaze colors are much more vibrant. (CMK)

An art program for elementary students based on the construction of a Japanese toy called a Daruma focused on another culture, yet taught basic skills and developed self-expression. Darumas are papier-mache faces. (AM)

The ancient dichotomy between fine arts and crafts is examined. Crafts should be taught in school art programs. The art of craft can expose students to the diversity of human art expression. (RM)

Hand-run washing machine wringers, acetate plates, bottles, and cheesecloth are combined to show students the intaglio embossed method of printing. (DS)

For art to survive in the schools, a new image must be presented to the public. Art should be distinguished from crafts, which have a purely recreational connotation, and promoted as a utilitarian subject, teaching fundamental production skills leading toward mastery, as the Suzuki method does in music. (SJL)

Describes the origin of Swedish rya knotting and illustrates how it is done. Outlines a lesson plan to make a Swedish rya mat using weaving and knotting techniques. (KM)

Trainable mentally retarded high school students in Brunswick, Maine, spend three hours out of every school day learning a variety of art and handicraft skills in the Title IV Marketable Skills Project, and the rest of their time learning daily living skills. (DLS)

Discusses the use of pillows as an art form for children to explore. Addresses ways pillows can be used in art, such as: building things with pillows and using pillows and pillowcases to learn about design, to create portraits and figures, and to serve as a canvas for art. (CMK)

Argues that folk art can help children explore design elements, reinforce fine motor skills, and broaden their appreciation for the art of the early United States. Provides lesson plans for a quilt collage, hex signs, and portrait painting. (KM)

Recognizes the importance of children's art made at home and focuses on having children express themselves through handmade art. Gives examples of different types of handmade art, such as making room accessories and furnishings, constructing "portable" artworks, and building figures in different mediums. (CMK)

Discusses the use of wheels in children's art. Focuses on collecting wheels, ideas for decorating different artworks with wheels, and objects that can move on wheels. Sees wheels as an inspiration for children's art, reflecting on the use of this object in the art classroom. (CMK)