Art and Culture of the Plains and Prairie Indians
Paintings of Native Americans by early expedition artists and the work of Indians themselves introduce the art and culture of the people who gave their names to Missouri and Kansas. Sharyn’s demonstration of traditional leather bead-working is enhanced by hands on examination of tools and supplies. Students learn to create a Winter Count, a pictorial way many Native Americans told the history of their group. Emphasis is placed on the continuity of Indian culture to the present day.
Grades:
3–5, 6–8, 9–12
Fee:
$100; $85 each for 2 or more
Workshop Size:
30 students maximum
Availability:
Monday–Thursday; Friday mornings
Special Requirements:
Screen and extension cord; slide projector recommended but not required.
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 1.6, 1.7, 5.2, 7.3, 11.2, 15.1
Greek and Roman Mythology
Goddesses, Monsters, and Heroes
Art often pictures heroes, goddesses, and monsters as embodiments of good and evil. Past examples from Eastern and Western art production are shown to reflect cultural values. Sharyn Brooks Katzman encourages students to analyze and question today’s presentations of heroism and evil. The mythology segment is successfully adapted to language and literature classes, science, and art.
Grades:
3–5, 6–8
Fee:
$100; $85 each for 2 or more
Workshop Size:
30 students maximum
Availability:
Monday–Thursday; Friday mornings
Special Requirements:
Slide projector and screen; extension cord
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7, 5.2, 6.11, 11.2, 15.1
Parody, Politics, and Paintings:
Art and Political Cartooning
This workshop centers on political cartoons that use famous art as a means to encourage viewers to think anew. While contemporary cartoons will be used to illustrate how parody and caricature come into play, Cynthia will also include a brief history of political cartooning. As visual allusions to artwork by Grant Wood, Leonardo da Vinci, Auguste Rodin, and others will reveal, this medium of illustrated humor has always relied on “shared culture” to lampoon prominent figures and comment on current events.
Grades:
6–8, 9–12
Fee:
$105
Workshop Size:
30 students maximum
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
n/a
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 4.4, 6.7, 7.1, 11.1
We Wear Our Hearts (and Minds) on our Sleeves
From Africa to Japan, from colonial America to today, the creation and wearing of clothing is a symbolic language. Using her clothing and object collection from around the world, Sharyn demonstrates the power of costume to convey history, geography, gender roles, cultural values, and more. Students learn to decode their own attire and get a chance to wear a kimono or Nigerian dress. Both cultural diversity and commonality are stressed as language and visual culture are decoded.
Grades:
4–5, 6–8, 9–12
Fee:
$100; $85 each for 2 or more
Workshop Size:
30 students maximum
Availability:
Monday–Thursday; Friday mornings
Special Requirements:
N/A
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 1.5, 1.6, 7.2, 7.4 & 15.1