Session 3: July 5-10, 2009
(Studio Extension: July 13-17, 2009)

Part studio, part stimulating discussion with faculty and visiting lecturers, this session provides ample studio time to investigate and explore topics presented. A fascinating examination of contemporary culture's impact on art practice and theory. Studio time will involve both figure drawing and painting using water-based materials.

Questions? Email us at tica@saic.edu.

















As Mark Twain explained, "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." Art teachers enrich the ways in which students use their eyes. This requires teaching students to see with the respect for others and intelligent effort that brings the imagination into focus. To prepare for this task, participants collaboratively investigate ways of understanding visual culture. "Visual culture" refers to everything we see, including scientific and medical images, works of art, and the sights generated by our patterns of living and working, as well as the pervasive imagery of advertisements, news stories and entertainment. With the assistance of lecturers who have written influential texts in this field, participants will learn about different approaches to identifying the sources and purposes of national and international visual culture. Field trips will encounter Chicago's rich architectural tradition and less known resources such as art in African-American churches that will suggest ways in which examination of local visual culture can make students better informed and more engaged artists and citizens. This session's studio practice in painting and drawing investigates how contemporary culture influences artist's critical dialogue. The museum component will include exploring art in non-traditional areas such as folk art sites and the collections found in local historical societies. The studio extension curriculum discussion will include examining outdoor murals and other community based projects.

Independent studio time will be available to a limited number of participating teachers beyond the one-week session.