Diversity and Art

Here is the second post, as promised, about using artworks in the classroom. If you missed the first one Indigenous Art: Dots and Beyond feel free to read that one first...or second.

Today's post is focusing on diversity. With many classrooms now featuring students from a variety of ethnic cultures it is important that they feel included and not excluded. For example, if you organise you class schedule and all the pictures or clip art are of Caucasian appearance and you have students with a Spanish, Maori or African heritage they might not feel totally included.

Artwork is the same. If you are going to have prints in the classroom then make sure they represent a variety of people and countries. The 'Old Masters' did fantastic work but there is a lot more art out in the world to explore.

I know what some of you are thinking - artwork prints can be expensive. Yes, sometimes they can vary from $5 AUD up to $100 AUD but if you choose carefully and a variety it is a good investment to make...and remember to claim the purchases back on tax at the end of the financial year.

Many years ago (I'm thinking about the 10 year mark) I came across a set of artwork prints for sale online....and...I...loved...them. The problem was they were in the USA and prints can weigh a bit so it was a big decision as to buy/not buy. I followed my gut and purchased a full package from the artist. 

Did I ever regret it? I think not! I have used these prints for the past 10 years. I did get mine laminated as I knew they would be going up and down on the wall and then stored (and unwanted sunlight can ruin a good print). I'm happy to say that they all still look as fresh as the day they arrived in the mail.

I have used these prints for activities in art...
* What they represent/Meaning
* The motivation to paint such a painting
* The colour choices
* Technique and style of the artist
* The era it was painted in and what clues support it
* Artwork critique 
* Create your own painting about diversity (this one takes several weeks of planning and painting!)

And in literacy lessons...
* Write a diary narrative about one of the children posing for the painting
* Describe the techniques used in their own painting and discuss colour and subject choice
* What My Painting Means activities where students can share their thoughts about their own painting


So you've seen these fantastic prints which were all painted by the talented artist, Karen Brinkerhoff. She kindly granted me permission to share the images of the paintings - though I have only used a small sample of the entire collection I have.

If you are interested in purchasing prints then I suggest contacting Karen direct on her Facebook page.

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