Inspiring Artists and Musicians

Students will use their knowledge of different art mediums from throughout the unit in order to write an artist statement about themselves. They will then present these artist statements and display their artwork from throughout the unit at a gallery parent event. This project allows students to apply knowledge about artists acquired throughout the unit to themselves and gives them a chance to apply the unit essential questions of why would someone make art and where do people find inspiration to themselves. In addition, this is the first time in this unit that they are applying what they’ve learned about biographies in order to write one.

Day 1

Ask students: What kinds of information can you learn from a biography?

Explain to students today we're going to write a special type of biography about ourselves. We’re going to write an artist statement. That’s a biography that artists write about themselves to tell about their art. It includes things like when they started making art, what type of art they like best, and where they get their inspiration.

Provide students with a template. (See example: Template: Artist's Statement. Model filling it out, and then set students to work. Float to support. 

As students finish writing, have them edit and then practice reading their artist statement using their professional presentation voices.

Day 2

Explain to students today and tomorrow we’re going to have our very own gallery show!  A gallery show is when you get to present your artwork to other people. You might remember how Frida Kahlo finally felt successful when she had her own gallery show. That’s because one thing that’s important to artists is to show their work to other people. 

Give students 5 minutes to practice reading their artist statements using their professional presentation voices. 

Invite families to sit around the room and give an overview of the unit and what students have been working on. Remind students of audience rules: sitting still, eyes watching, silent hands for comments/questions at the end, voices off, lots of support to their friends. 

Have students present one at a time, allowing time for 1 question/comment per presentation. After all students have presented, everyone can walk around the gallery to look at student art from the unit.