Drawing Act 150
District Focus - Creating and Exploring
Students will generate and refine artistic ideas and artwork while learning to reach beyond their capacities, to explore playfully, and to embrace the opportunity to learn from mistakes.
What is the Drawing Act 150?
150 years ago…
Legislators in Massachusetts responded to the needs of businesses through the establishment of art education in public schools by passing An Act relating to free instruction in drawing.
It was called The Drawing Act.
(Woah, that’s some serious words in this Act!)
What is the Drawing Act 150?
It was the first law in the nation requiring drawing to be taught in public schools.
It also required that industrial and mechanical drawing education be available to persons over 15 years of age, either in day or evening schools.
Clay Lesson by Ms. Cross in 1892 in Newton
This week...
We are going to participate in the Drawing Act 150 anniversary project that the Drawing Act Coalition is organizing.
They were very resilient during the Pandemic and had to think creatively how to keep celebrating this important event!
Across the state, Artists are creating small pieces of artwork to recognize how important the Drawing Act was for
Art Education in Massachusetts.
This week...
A birds eye view of State House in Boston
The Drawing Act Coalition invited everyone from across the Commonwealth to celebrate the 150th year of the Drawing Act by contributing original drawings for this anniversary project.
One of the possible public displays includes a community art installation at the Massachusetts State House.
This week...
What will we be making you ask?
You will be making a small drawing of something you see every day.
For example, it could be a tree outside your window🌳, your keys 🔑, a parking meter, or a family member’s face 👧🏿👴🏾🧕🏽🧔🏼👩🏻🦳.
Students can work on the project in 20-minute sessions each day OR complete it in one sitting.
Monday
💭 I can learn about the Drawing Act and why it was and is important by reading slides 1-6.
👀 I can look at artwork by Massachusetts Artists in this slideshow!
💬 I can discuss my ideas for my drawing with a friend or family member.
❓ Helpful Questions❓:
What would school look like with no art class?
Why do you think art in school is important?
What artists did you like and why?
I really like Erica Henderson!
She drew the super hero Squirrel Girl so well!
Tuesday
📏No ruler? No problem!📏
Here is a website you can go to with a ruler. You can hold your paper to the screen to mark the 4 inches.
🎨 I can create a drawing on a 4 inch by 4 inch piece of paper using any drawing implement (pencil, pen, crayon – your choice!).
You will be creating a small drawing of something you see everyday.
Examples: a tree outside your window, your keys, a parking meter, or a family member’s face, your favorite flower, your gaming system :)
💡 Reminder:💡
Draw with pencil first,
so you can fix mistakes!
Make sure your paper is four inches by four inches!
It will help when we can display them later!
🎨 I can add detail and color to my drawing using any art materials I have.
💡If I finished early, I can explore these art website:
https://www.pixilart.com/draw?ref=home-page
Wednesday
❓ Helpful Questions❓:
Can you add more details? What else do you see?
Can you add color to your drawing?
Can you add a background? Will it be real or imaginary?
Oooh!
Pixel Art?! Like in Animal Crossing?!
📸 I can take a photo or video of my found object doodles or drawing.
💬 I can do an art “show and tell” with someone at home or over video call.
❓ Helpful Questions ❓
What materials did you use?
Why did you choose them?
What was the tricky part?
What are you most proud of about your work?
✔️ I can submit a photo or video of my artwork to Ms. McEwan via Google Classroom
Thursday
Ms. McEwan can’t wait to look at your art :)
🎨 Option 1 🎨..
I can create a piece of art of my choice - using any materials I have!
↩️ Option 2 ↩️
I can work on an art lesson from previous weeks that I missed or didn’t get to
❓ Helpful Questions:❓
What story do you want to tell?
What do you want to express?
Friday
Ms. McEwan went to the park and made art this week!
Glossary
Legislator- a person who makes laws
Establishment- to bring into existence : found <establish a school >
Birds Eye View- A bird's-eye view is an elevated view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird, often used in the making of blueprints, floor plans, and maps. It can be an aerial photograph, but also a drawing.