This course will explore eight North American artists, spanning time, place, and art styles to find a deeper understanding and appreciation for art history and art analysis. We will focus on one artist each week. Pear Deck lessons will provide background into the artist's life, both inside and outside of the art world, as well as history about the time period in which they lived, and the process(es) they undertook to make art. Students will then analyze a small collection of well-known and lesser-known artworks, considering questions such as: Why did the artist capture this subject? Is the "message" of the painting clear? What elements and principles are observed? Students do not need ANY experience when it comes to art appreciation or analysis - additional short lessons will be posted each week that will cover the art style of that week and provide all the necessary art terminology and concepts.

Weekly schedule for Weeks 1-8:
Each new week starts on Monday at 9 am CT with a video introducing the artist and work for that week, as well as the following materials: a self-paced Pear Deck lessons on the life of the artist and their art style,  accompanying optional note guides, and discussion/analysis questions designed to engage students in critical and creative thinking and engage them further with the material. 
Students will complete a mini-project each week analyzing another famous artist who worked in the same style. Instructions and an artist list will be published on Wednesday by 9 am CT. 
Answers to discussion questions and mini-projects are due by Sunday at 6 pm CT. 

Schedule for Week 9:
Week 9 will start with a brief lecture video reviewing the class thus far, provide class-wide feedback + updates on progress, and provide in-depth directions to the remainder of the class. A final project will be assigned on Monday at 9 am CT and will be due by Saturday at 6 pm CT. Additionally, any missing/late work will be due by Sunday at 12 pm CT. All feedback and grades (by parent request only) will be provided to students by Sunday at 6 pm CT. 

I expect all students to...
- complete the work to the best of their abilities by the assigned due date 
- create a safe, welcoming, and creative learning environment for all their peers
- participate in the classroom in meaningful and engaging ways 
- contact me with any concerns or questions the moment they arise 

Students can expect me to...
- check into the classroom every other day at a minimum 
- read and respond to everyone's work with meaningful feedback before the following week's work is published 
- respond to private messages within 24 hours 
- create all Pear Deck lessons, worksheets, discussion questions, project guidelines, and other classroom materials 
- post complementary resources not made by myself to enhance student understanding
- communicate any changes in the previously stated schedule as soon as they arise  

Class schedule: 
Week 1: Andy Warhol & Pop Art - Campbell's Soup Cans (1962), Marilyn Diptych (1962) 
Week 2:  Mary Cassatt & American Impressionism - The Tea (1880), The Boating Party (1893-94)
Week 3: Jackson Pollock & Abstract Impressionism - Galaxy (1947), The Deep (1953)
Week 4: Frida Kahlo & Mexican Surrealism  - Diego and Frida (1931), Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940) 
Week 5: Norman Rockwell & Realism - Saying Grace (1951), The Runaway (1958)
Week 6: Emily Carr & Post-Impressionism - Blue Sky (1936), Odds and Ends (1939)
Week 7: Diego Rivera & Mexican Muralism  - Man at the Crossroads (1934), Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park (1946-47)
Week 8: Agnes Martin & Minimalism - Untitled (1956), Friendship (1963)
Week 9: Final project