Please note: This is NOT an instructional drawing class. It is also NOT an art history class. And we are not looking at art and then creating art that looks just like it.     ...So what IS this?? :)
Read below for more details.

WHAT IS THIS CLUB ABOUT? 
What can we learn by looking at, discussing and drawing from works of art? How can we make connections to our daily lives? In each week of this ongoing club, we will focus on two to four related artworks based on a theme (for example: portraits; power; landscape), discuss and draw from them. Some artworks will really appeal to certain learners and not others; this is the beauty of art - it speaks to people differently!  Although I'll provide some information about the artwork in an organic fashion, please note that *this will not in any way be a lecture or an art history lesson, per se!* I ask lots of questions about what kids notice, and discovery relies on active group participation. 

I'm a museum educator who's been working with kids and families in major NYC museums for 23 years (primarily the Metropolitan Museum, but a few other wonderful museums as well). With this ongoing class I hope to create a virtual version of a museum tour, bringing together kids who like looking at and sharing their ideas about art. (The photo in the listing is me with some students at the Metropolitan Museum of the Art.)

WHAT WILL WE DO DURING A CLASS SESSION?
Each week will focus around a different theme - for example, portraits, or power. We'll view a few carefully curated photos of artwork from various museums / galleries that relate to that theme. Artworks shown might be contemporary or ancient, from any part of the world. As I am a museum educator, my goal will be to facilitate conversation around the artwork. I ask lots of questions about what kids notice, and discovery relies on active group participation. One of my favorite things about looking at art with a group is seeing how the students' ideas about what they are looking at might play off each other. I strive to ask questions that might help students make connections. I try to ensure equal participation by all students who wish to share. I will not force shy students to talk, but strive to create an environment in which all feel comfortable sharing.

PLEASE NOTE, this is *also* not an instructional art class.I do encourage students to sketch during the class as we look, even if they're only capturing a tiny snippet of the artwork. Sketching is another way of looking; the act of sketching creates a relationship between the person doing the sketching and the artwork - it's about creating a visual record of a moment, not creating a masterpiece. In different weeks I may offer different prompts or techniques for sketching (like gesture drawing), and we may occasionally veer into additional creative territory - for example, I may occasionally offer a writing prompt based on the artwork, which students may choose to explore further after class. 

I'll invite anyone who's interested to share their sketches to do so - but I never insist on sharing. Sometimes a drawing or poem is a conversation with the artwork alone :)

I mention in the parental guidance section below something that I will repeat here: please be aware that since we are looking at art through the ages, I may occasionally share artworks which include human figures in various states of undress/nudity. Although I will not make it a primary focus, students may see, for example, Greek/Roman or Indian sculptures or vessels which often show at least partial nudity, or modern paintings which may show it in abstracted or subtle forms - or a painting like Orpheus and Medusa (who, as a Sphinx, is half-woman and not clothed). Those are a few of many possible examples; many cultures may also contain images including nudity.

WHAT ARE THE THEMES?
They will vary weekly. Right now I have approximately 25 different tours, with the possibility to basically continue endlessly, but if I reach a point where I'll start repeating, I will let learners know. But we could even repeat topics and not repeat artworks!

WHAT SUPPLIES WILL I NEED?
Materials will be simple - feel free to bring a sketchbook or drawing paper (though for anyone who will attend regularly, I definitely suggest a sketchbook, at least 9x12) and a pencil. We won't be spending lots of time drawing each piece so students may not get to color pictures during class, but may choose to afterwards. 

WHAT ARE THE TEACHER'S QUALIFICATIONS?
I'm a teaching artist with a BFA in illustration and MAT in Art Edcuation. I'm also an experienced museum educator, who's been working with kids and families in person in major NYC museums for 23 years (I've been at the Met for all of them except for the COVID break in programming in 2020)! I started my museum education career in outreach, bringing the museum to school classrooms. This is a similar idea.

HOW DOES AN ONGOING CLASS WORK?
It's a 'subscription' model - you have to subscribe to join and try the class, but it's not a binding subscription. Students may join or leave at any time. Feel free to try a session by subscribing; if it's a great fit for your learner, feel free to keep your subscription and join us every week. 

OUTSCHOOL RULES OF NOTE:
-Although learners are welcome to share a camera, each individual learner must be registered.
-Cameras must be on to verify students in the beginning of class. I greatly prefer that students keep them on during class, as it adds to the feeling of community when we can see each other. 
-Adults may be nearby, but may not appear on camera.

I hope you will come look at art with me. I look forward to meeting and working with you!