For Educators
School Workshop and Tours
Cultivating Creativity and Critical Thinking
All tours and workshops are designed for all grade levels (primary to senior) to meet curriculum requirements in visual art.
Program Choices:
Gallery Tour/Studio Workshop: $6/Student ($100 min.)
(Class trip to Glenhyrst – approx. 2 hrs)
Gallery Tour Only: $3/student
(Class trip to Glenhyrst – approx. 45min – 1hr)
Workshop Only: $3/student
(Class trip to Glenhyrst – approx. 1hr, 15min)
ArtReach Workshops in the School: $7/student ($100 min.)
(Bringing art into the classroom – approx. 2 hrs.)
How to Book?
Please email the Education Confirmation Form and requested dates and times to Norm Moore at programs@glenhyrstartgallery.ca or contact us at 519-756-5932. Workshop choices are listed below:
March 16 –May 12, 2013
Mary Abma – Installation: In My Own Back Yard
Guided Tour: As part of the exhibition in Brantford, Mary will be making a site-specific installation artwork about the seed, soil, precipitation and history of the land surrounding Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant.
Book Early for Workshops at Glenhyrst Art Gallery for Earth Day: April 22, 2013
Primary – Grade 1-4
Primary – Grade 5-8
Secondary – Grade 9-12
General Workshop Choices
Imaginings – Painting Using Colour and Line
After a discussion about abstraction, composition and colour, students will design two sets of thumbnail sketches. Objects will be brought into the classroom for students to refer to. Or, if weather permitting, students will be taken outside to view nature as a subject. The first sketches will be line drawings, the second will be coloured sketches inspired by listening to music. Students will discuss how vertical and horizontal lines can be used to unify a composition and will investigate the emotive quality of colour and the textural quality of line. Abstract art is a particular genre of art where the depiction of objects in the world has been replaced by a concern with the formal aspects of art such as colour, shape or line. Students will be using mixed media including paint, pastel, charcoal, and bristol board.
Contour Drawing: Surfaces and Edges
Contour drawing refers to the lines which define the edges and surface of a form. Through a series of enjoyable exercises designed to enhance concentration and drawing, students will complete a series of contour drawings using paper, pencil, charcoal and conte. The different exercises will be involving blind contour drawing, and contour drawing – training the eye how to see and synchronizing the movement of the eyes with drawing. This exercise is a staple of beginner drawing of still life. It can be adapted for both beginner and more advanced students.
Printmaking: Patterning and Rhythm
After a discussion about patterns and rhythm/movement, students will make thumbnail sketches of a pattern they would like to create. Students will develop a series of relief prints using printer’s ink and foam blocks. The central concept of this activity is to explore the medium of printmaking in relation to the elements and principles of design, inspired by various printmakers and the history of this form of art. Students will be shown inspirational prints from various artists and the history of the printing press and be encouraged to try their hand at the art involving pattern, rhythm, movement and colour. The students will recap colour theory knowledge, and review pattern, rhythm, and movement as they are prompted to make a stamp using a foam block. Students will produce 5 good editions through preliminary investigation and experimentation.
Click here for full workshop curriculum:
Earth Art
Students will collect materials in nature and use the found objects (leaves, seeds, earth) to create a self portrait from the materials. The students are encouraged to think about how the earth and nature connects to their identity and how their actions effect the environment around them. The idea is to link self consciousness of self identity with consciousness about Mother Earth and how the individual pieces fit together to make something whole and connected.
Sculpting with Clay: Pottery, Mobiles, etc
Students will enjoy the many possibilities of shaping clay. Techniques will be discussed based on the type of sculpting: pinch pot, coil, slab etc. Finally, the students will create their desired piece of pottery working with positive and negative space, using texture in their sculpture to convey emotions.
Click here for full workshop curriculum:
The Group of Seven: A New Vision
Students will discuss the Group of Seven’s unique vision of the Canadian landscape by contrasting the “European” style of landscape painting that existed prior to 1920 and the year the Group of Seven had their first exhibition. Students will use bold colours and layers of texture to create Northern Canadian Landscapes using oil pastels. They will begin by investigating various compositions to arrive at a suitable design for their work of art. An introduction to perspective and colour theory will highlight this workshop.
A Mixed Media Collage
Students will investigate an important theme in life by using mixed media to create a collage. Students will discuss how the elements of design and the principles of design are used by the artist to successfully communicate their ideas and feelings. The theme for this workshop is based off the Lady Like exhibition in the gallery.
Surrealism
After a discussion about the Surrealist art movement, students will embark on creating acrylic paintings based on a dream. Students are encouraged to tap into their imagination and combine unlikely themes to reflect their dream. Students are encouraged to think about symbolism and Juxtaposing different ideas to create an element of surprise in their paintings.
Art Criticism: ArtReach on demand
Students will have created their masterpieces in the classroom beforehand. The students art will be on display in the classroom and the instructor will go about how to properly critique a work of art, with constructive criticism to better improve the artwork and learning how to deliver these suggestions and how to take them professionally. Students will also be taught how to make an artist’s statement.
Click here for full workshop curriculum:
Japanese Book Binding
Students will learn the traditional art of Japanese Book Binding. Students will learn about side-sewn binding as well as how to make boxes to hold their books in. Students will do a hands on workshop learning different stab patterns using needle, thread, wax, binders glue, bone folders and be able to produce a number of different types of books that they can later use for sketching, journaling, or for use later in a book art project.
Click here for full workshop curriculum:
Patterns and Symbols: Power Shields
Students will create their own power shields using pattern, colour, shape and space to create a dynamic circular image. Students will discuss radial balance and develop a pattern using rotation to create the shields. Students will explore the importance of line and colour to convey meaning and feelings.
Exploring Water Colour: Multiple Lessons (5)
Students will be introduced to the techniques of water colour: wet-on-wet, lifting off, flat and graded washes. Students will also be introduced to colour theory using the colour wheel. Using a limited palette of three colours, students will discover how to mix a myriad of colours. Students will be introduced to the various papers and brushes available to the watercolour artist. Students will discuss linear perspective while planning their landscape. Students will discover and observe the effects of mixing a hue with its complementary hue and how it changes the intensity.
Watercolour Resist: Bugs in the Garden
Students will use resist and watercolours to design their own fantasy garden bug after learning about symmetry in art. Students will discuss how secondary colours are mixed from primary colours and identify different kinds of line that can be used to build up pattern and texture. Crayons will be used to create a resist against the watercolour.
Mandala as Art: Symbols and Symmetry
The symbol of the circle appears in ancient and modern religions, myths, including the mandalas of Tibetan monks. Mandala designs also appear in European and Christian art including the rose windows of the cathedrals. Students will design their own mandala using images, colours, lines and shapes relevant to their own lives. Students will discuss the importance of positive and negative space in creating balance.