Casey Doyon

SLM 521

7-10-02

 

Web Quest- Re-opening the Gallery

 

 

Subject: Art

Grade level: 9-12

 

Introduction:  Monique Gibert a foreign exchange student recently returned to her home in Paris, France.  She was an exceptional student and well liked by all her ninth grade class.  A few days passed after her departure and a certified letter came into the school for Mr. Dubs the art teacher.  The letter read as follows:

 

Dr. Mr. Dubs,

 

I have been happy with the progress that my daughter Monique has made in her art studies while under your direction at South Western High School.  She has made beautiful pieces that I am delighted to see now that she has returned home.  Monique spoke highly of you and of the challenging projects you provided during her classes.  I am not sure if she told you, but I am a retired president of The Bank of France and I currently serve on the board for the Louvre museum.  I have always had a deep affection for the arts.  I feel blessed that she has enjoyed herself and excelled through her time with you.  To show my gratitude I would like to help furnish some artwork for your school gallery.  Monique had said that the gallery was only half complete with artwork and about twelve more pieces would make a great addition.  I realize the gallery is mostly student work, but I felt these pieces could be used as inspirational works and for French art studies.  I would be most delighted if you would focus your attention on works by Cezanne, Degas, Matisse and Monet.  I am sure you are aware, all these artists are French Impressionism painters and they happen to be my personal favorites.  I will be sending a check for whatever you need to furnish this exhibit.  I hope you are happy with this news and I look forward to hearing back from you.  Please let me know that you accept my offer.

 

Sincerely,

François Gibert  

 

It should be no surprise that the offer was taken!  Mr. Dubs and the school were ecstatic with excitement.  They had an adventure on there hands.

 

 

The Task: Three standout students were selected to work on the project of enhancing the student gallery.  Mr. Dubs specified they must look at the work of French artists: Cezanne, Degas, Matisse and Monet only.  Three reproduction paintings per artists could be purchased, totaling twelve pieces.  A budget for artwork was set at $7,000.00.  Each member of the group was assigned a role.  The three roles were: art critic/ purchaser, art curator, newsletter journalist.  The three roles were needed because Mr. Dubs and the school had agreed that they would not only expand the gallery selection with Francois Gibert’s donation, they would also have a gallery re-opening for the entire school upon completion.  The role of the art critic/ purchaser is to read up on Impressionism and each artist’s contribution to this style.  Based on their research they will then make an informed decision on what art to purchase for the gallery.  The curator’s job is to get more detailed information on each artist- biographical, style and what they are known for.  The newsletter journalist is responsible for getting together information to create an in-school flier announcing the upcoming event and a write up in the school newsletter.  

 

 

Process:

 

The art critic/ purchaser is responsible for learning more about each artist so you can make an informed decision on what reproduction paintings you should purchase.  To do this you must complete the following…

 

  1. Read and write about the artists Cezanne, Degas, Matisse, Monet and the Impressionism style they painted in.  A report needs to be written on each artist that includes a brief biography, their significance in Impressionism and a critique of two pieces of their art.  The report must be typed, double spaced and no less then four pages.  Include a print out of the artwork that was critiqued.    

 

  1. Purchase reproduction artwork that you feel based on your study (activity one) best represents each artist.  Remember you can buy three pieces per artist.  Your total budget for artwork is $7,000.00.  It doesn’t mean you need to spend that much. 

 

  1. Write an essay to Mr. Dubs why you choose the art you did, this will be reviewed and later sent to Mr. François Gibert. 

 

The art curator is to be the expert on the artist and their art.  You are responsible for creating a presentation for the gallery re-opening day.  To do this you must complete the following…

 

  1. Read biographical information on Cezanne, Degas, Matisse, Monet

 

    • What effect did their life and background have on their art?

 

  1. Read about the style they painted - Impressionism

 

    • Know what was unique about each artists interpretation of Impressionism 

 

    • Compare or show contrast between the artists interpretations

 

  1. Review the art-style timeline for when each artist was involved in it.

 

  1. Look up what each artist was known for – technique, motifs, composition, etc…

 

·        Analyze this information by looking for this in pieces of their artwork

 

  1. Create a presentation for opening day.  Your presentation should include information from the four previous activities.  You can use power point, multi-media (slide show), lecture or an oral presentation.

 

The newsletter journalist is responsible for getting together information to create an in-school flier promoting the upcoming Gallery re-opening and writing an article about the re-opening, to be published in the school newsletter.  To do this you must complete the following…

 

  1. Read briefly about each artist – biography

 

  1. Read briefly about Impressionism

 

  1. View an each artist’s artwork

 

  1. Review the art-style timeline for when each artist was involved in it.

 

  1. Create a flier that captures the essence of the four artists and Impressionism.

 

·        Flier should be eye catching and informative

 

    • Flier must have artwork as part of the layout

 

    • Flier must include time, date and location of the Gallery re-opening

 

  1. Write an article for the school newsletter about the re-opening of the Gallery.  The purpose of the article is to entice students and facility to come to the re-opening.

 

·        Include time, date and location of the Gallery re-opening

 

    • Explain what the Impressionism style is.

 

    • Briefly describe each of the four artists and their contributions.

 

    • Include one piece of art.

 

 

Resources:

 

Impressionism - http://www.oir.ucf.edu/wm/paint/glo/impressionism/

 

 http://www.the-artfile.com/uk/styles/impressionism/impressionism.htm

 

Post impressionism - http://www.the-artfile.com/uk/styles/impressionism/postimpressionism.htm

 

Biography:

 

 Degas - http://sunsite.dk/cgfa/degas/degas_bio.htm

 

            Monet – http://sunsite.dk/cgfa/monet/monet_bio.htm

 

Cezanne - http://sunsite.dk/cgfa/cezanne/cezanne_bio.htm

 

            Matisse - http://sunsite.dk/cgfa/matisse/matisse_bio.htm

 

More biographical information:

 

Monet- http://search.biography.com/print_record.pl?id=2902

           

Matisse - http://search.biography.com/print_record.pl?id=2855

 

Degas - http://search.biography.com/print_record.pl?id=2018

 

Cezanne - http://search.biography.com/print_record.pl?id=1848

 

 

Information on each artist and articles -

 

Monet - http://www.artchive.com/artchive/ftptoc/monet_ext.html

 

Cezanne - http://www.artchive.com/artchive/ftptoc/cezanne_ext.html

 

Degas - http://www.artchive.com/artchive/ftptoc/degas_ext.html

 

Matisse - http://www.artchive.com/artchive/ftptoc/matisse_ext.html

 

Information on each artist / Web museum - http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/

 

Article on Monet - http://www.observer.com/pages/story.asp?ID=549

 

Theory and criticism of all artists - http://www.artchive.com/critic.htm

 

Timeline - http://www.the-artfile.com/uk/timeline/timelinemain.htm#impressionism

 

Site to buy paintings/ posters / prints - http://www.artprintcollection.com/index.html

 

                                    Oil paintings - http://www.isabel.com/gallery/repro/index.html

 

 

Conclusion:  After each student finishes their activities, an hour and a half long meeting is set up with Mr. Dubs.  Each student has 20 minutes to present what they did.  The floor is now open for all to make suggestions for improvement and critical feedback is contributed by all.  This activity made students more aware of French Impressionism artists.  They learned about Cezanne, Degas, Matisse, and Monet and …

 

    • How Impressionism varied between them

 

    • What each artists style looks like 

 

    • What was unique about each artist

 

    • What influenced their art

 

    • Effects their life had on their work

 

    • How they were received by critics

 

    • How to buy reproduction paintings

 

  

Evaluation:  Your evaluation is based on your performance in the activities outlined in the “process”.  The rubric below outlines the rationale behind the grade.

 

Scoring

1

2

3

Activities

Less than half complete

Over half  completed

Completed and exceptional

Understanding of their assignment

Activities showed the lack of understanding

Activities showed that they understood what they were supposed to know.

Activities showed exceptional perception of the knowledge they were supposed to acquire.

Final outcome – purchase, presentation and news coverage

Less than complete, not what it was supposed to be or not eye catching

Completed but not the best choices, presentable but lacking pizzazz, not attention getting

An exceptional choice for pieces of art, presentation was well received and the news coverage brought in more than the school ever would have expected.

 

 

 

 

           **********    Five other Web Quests to visit (especially if you are an art teacher):  *************

“Design the Wall” - Janice Preston, principal of Ryder School, wants to improve the physical look of Ryder School. She LOVES classic pieces of art, but she doesn't have a favorite artist. She is looking for ideas and MURAL designs for the walls of Ryder. The school's motto is, "It takes an entire village to raise a child." Your group is bidding for the job. If she likes your mural, she will assign your group to a wall to decorate. You could be IMMORTALIZED on the walls of Ryder!  http://www.lfelem.lfc.edu/tech/DuBose/webquest/anderson/art.html#RESOURCES

“In Search of Vincent Van Gogh” - Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most important figures in art history.  His paintings are recognized worldwide for their brilliant colors and expressive brush strokes.  However, t was not always this way.  Van Gogh had a tough life, full of ups and downs, and ending in tragedy.  It is a sad, but important story, and one that you will be responsible for telling.  http://www.nevada.edu/~mbp/wq.html

 

“Museum Mischief” - Museums are places of great adventure. Where else could you travel through time, meet famous people, and discover new worlds in a single day. You are going on a treasure hunt. Your goal is to find a great American treasure to share with your friends. Are you ready? Grab your notebook and let's go.

http://edservices.aea7.k12.ia.us/edtech/teacherpages/lberryjseymour/index.html#Introduction

 

“Art Time” - You have been selected to go back in time to visit a famous artist.  You will become an apprentice to that artist, in order to learn their art technique and style. If you decide to take this mission you will experience the life of a famous artist, walk the streets they walked, visit the places they visited and painted. http://www.esc20.net/etprojects/formats/webquests/spring2000/esc2051600/mfdwllwq/twebquests.html

 

“Art Exhibit” - You are a member of an elite group of museum curators for a traveling art exhibit that is coming to your school. Your job is to research and acquire the artworks you will display in the show. http://209.7.110.8/~cnolan/exhibit/