Teaching the Gibbes Museum of Art’s Toddler Tuesdays—held weekly at the Charleston Library Society—has become one of my favorite things to do. The class combines story time and art activities for children ages 18-months to five years accompanied by an adult. My partner-in-crime, Carole Anne Rissmiller, and I love reading the books and planning the lessons. (We also use Toddler Tuesdays as an excuse to have lunch at different restaurants and explore Charleston with our cameras!)

All art lessons for the toddlers are discipline based. Each week we use a fascinating early-learning level book to help the children explore the world of art. Last week, we read “Squarehead” by Harriet Ziefert. Through question and answer, we discovered that there are many different kinds of shapes and colors in our clothes, on the windows and doors, and all around us. Learning and recognizing shapes is a fundamental tool when learning to read. Focusing on what they learned in “Squarehead,” the children and their adult partners created personalized books featuring specific shapes and colors. Extra pages were included to allow them to continue working on their books at home.

As a retired elementary art teacher, this class allows me the opportunity to continue to share the world of art with children. I hope to have more children and parents join us this year.

— Sandy Young, Women’s Council Volunteer and Guest Blogger, Gibbes Museum of Art

Toddler Tuesdays
Free and exclusive for Gibbes Museum and Charleston Library Society Members
Every Tuesday at the Charleston Library Society, 164 King St
10:15–11:00am in the Children’s Room; No reservations required
Led by Gibbes Women’s Council members Annette Wanick and Sandy Young
Questions? Call Rebecca Sailor at 843.722.2706 x41 or email rsailor@gibbesmuseum.org

adminlasley :: Oct.05.2010 :: Classes, Education, Programs :: No Comments »

Students on a guided tour discuss the painting April, by Childe Hassam.

School Year 2010–2011 is here! Most teachers and students return to their classrooms the week of August 16th for another year of enlightenment. The Gibbes Museum is excited, as always, to be a part of this learning process. There are many different ways schools can utilize the Gibbes’ resources to enhance their curriculum. My role, as Associate Curator of Education, is to plan programs that help our audience enjoy the museum and learn about art history. Let me share some insider tips on how to make the most of the Gibbes.

On www.gibbesmuseum.org, we provide a wealth of information in our Learn section. First, look over our tour information. We have guided tours for preschool through 12th grade classes that are aligned with the S.C. Learning Standards. And, there is always the option for a teacher to lead their own self-guided tour. We also bring art into the schools with the Gibbes Art to Go program. Through Gibbes Art to Go, any school or organization can submit a request for a teaching artist to lead a hands-on project in their school. Proposal forms can be downloaded online.

Teachers have their very own area on our website—Just for Educators—where they can build their own gallery of images using our collection and download our Educator’s Guide. We provide a bound copy of the guide to every teacher that brings their class for a tour, and it can also be mailed out or picked up at the museum. The Educator’s Guide is a great way for teachers to explore our collection before, after, or in place of a visit.  Of course we hope it will not be in place of a visit, but we know not every teacher will be able to visit the Gibbes this school year. Contact me at rsailor@gibbesmuseum.org to request a guide. In addition to teaching tools, information about the Mary Whyte Art Educator Award is also available in Just for Educators. The annual award recognizes a high school art teacher in the tri-county Charleston area who has demonstrated superior commitment to their students and to their craft. I encourage you to nominate yourself or a deserving art educator today!

One of the final stops on the website under Learn is the Gibbes Interactions features. Select a signature work of art from the Gibbes collection, and enjoy an in-depth exploration of the artists, subjects, and styles that have shaped the art of Charleston and the south. You can display Interactions on your Smart Board and have fun!

Remember, we are your visual arts museum. Come for a visit whether it is in-person or virtually. Welcome Back to School!

—Rebecca Sailor, Associate Curator of Education, Gibbes Museum of Art

Above: Photo by Scott Henderson

contributerebecca :: Aug.17.2010 :: Awards, Education, Programs :: No Comments »

Katie Gephart, summer intern, with camper Parker Weeks.

My name is Katie Gephart, and this summer I interned in the museum’s Education and Outreach department. In the fall, I’ll start my senior year at Washington and Lee University where I am majoring in art history and museum studies. My university professors continue to encourage my love of art history, and now—through my internship—I’ve had the opportunity to teach other students about art. My primary responsibility was assisting with the Summer Art Camp. Over the summer, I worked with elementary school students to expand the scope of their art awareness by exposing them to new media, techniques, and sources of inspiration within the Gibbes Museum. The summer camp themes included In the Forest, Go Global, and ArtStory, and each week we created special projects that both reflected these themes and introduced the campers to important artists and artistic traditions. Sharing art history with the children and helping them translate the concepts and ideas into their own work was immeasurably rewarding.

April (The Green Gown), 1920, By Childe Hassam (American, 1859 – 1935). Oil on canvas; 56 x 82 1/4 in. Gibbes Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Archer Huntington (1936.09.01).

Once a week, the campers went into the galleries to explore the museum’s collection and incorporated what they saw into their art projects. Last week, ArtStory focused on an artist’s ability to tell stories without words, using only form, line, and color. We looked at the large oil painting, April: (The Green Gown) by Childe Hassam—one of my favorite paintings in the collection—and asked how the woman’s story might be different if she wore a red gown instead. The group really seemed to connect to this idea and shared how different colors make them feel. Watching the kids process this important principle of art theory and apply it to their own art work was so exciting for me to observe. The Gibbes offers its campers such a special opportunity by sharing the collection, and I’ve been so grateful to share my knowledge of art with the kids and see how their techniques improve and enthusiasm for art grows.

—Katie Gephardt, summer intern, Education and Outreach Department, Gibbes Museum of Art

Sally Collins, art educator, works with campers to create their own works of art.

Learn more about public programs, classes, and camp at the Gibbes Museum of Art.

adminlasley :: Jul.27.2010 :: Behind the scenes, Education, Programs, Summer Art Camp :: 1 Comment »

Last week the ladies from Southern Protocol taught etiquette to 4-7 year old children in the museum’s Welcome Gallery. The children learned how to set the table, politely get someone’s attention, use please and thank you, and many other lessons. To celebrate their accomplishments, the class held a reception and certificate presentation ceremony on Friday afternoon. Petite Protocol continues this week with a session for 8-12 year old children.

Eli Barker receiving his certificate from Mrs. Lizz

adminlasley :: Jun.29.2010 :: Classes, Education, Welcome Gallery :: No Comments »

Gibbes Summer Art Camp is wrapping up its third week of creative fun. The campers have been busy studying and making art from around the globe including Africa, New Zealand, and other faraway lands. Pictured are campers making clay necklaces with their teacher Mrs. Sally Collins.

Spots are still available in the Art Story sessions scheduled for July 12-16 (ages 4-7) and July 19-23 (ages 8-12). To register, contact Rebecca Sailor at 843.722.2706 x41.

Olivia Jones

Gray Willits

Shep Richards

Gray and Shep discuss the day's work

adminlasley :: Jun.25.2010 :: Education, Summer Art Camp :: No Comments »

This summer the Gibbes is teaming up with Southern Protocol to offer etiquette lessons for children ages 4-7 and 8-12. The modern manners experts at Southern Protocol will teach children all the basics of proper etiquette including introductions, thank you notes, phone manners, table manners, museum etiquette, and other important lessons. Classes will be held in the museum’s Welcome Gallery and students can bring a bagged lunch to enjoy in the Gibbes Courtyard.

Petite Protocol

June 21-25, Ages 4-7

June 28-July 2, Ages 8-12

12-2pm

$60 per week

For more information or to register, please contact Rebecca Sailor at (843) 722-2706, ext. 41.

adminlasley :: Jun.10.2010 :: Classes, Education :: No Comments »

Camper Kimberly McCurdy

Join the Gibbes Museum of Art for a great summer of creative fun at our 2010 Summer Art Camp. Work with practicing artists and museum teachers, explore the museum’s galleries for inspiration, and create your own fantastic artwork! This summer, artists can choose from three themes: In the Forest, Go Global, and Art Story. Classes will be held across from the museum at the Circular Congregational Church. Campers will meet at the Gibbes each morning.

Teachers are Mrs. Sally Collins and Mrs. Martha Criscuolo. Mrs. Collins holds a Commercial Art Degree, Bachelor of Social Science Degree, and Master in Teaching (MIT) Degree. She has previously taught Art, English, and 4^th grade at the First Baptist School in Mt. Pleasant as well as 1^st and 3^rd grade at Midland Park Elementary in Charleston County. Most recently, Mrs. Collins teaches Art at Trident Academy in Mt. Pleasant. Mrs. Criscuolo holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and has completed graduate work toward a Masters in Art Education. She was an Art teacher in New Haven, CT and currently serves as a Gibbes Museum of Art Museum Educator and Teaching Artist. We are happy to have these wonderful teachers lead our summer camp!

Summer Art Camp for Children Ages 4 – 7 and 8 – 12
June 7 – July 23, 9am – 12noon
$175/wk for museum members, $200/wk for non-members

To register contact Rebecca Sailor at (843) 722-2706, ext. 41

Budding artist Gray Willits

adminlasley :: Jun.04.2010 :: Classes, Education :: No Comments »

Charleston Day School and the Gibbes Museum of Art partnered during the 2009-2010 school year to create a Junior Docent Program under the direction of Middle School Head Andy Willits. Twenty 8th grade students toured the Gibbes exhibition The Charleston Story with Museum Educators Elise Detterbeck and Pat Burgess. Each student then chose one art object that they studied and later presented to 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students. On May 12th, the 8th graders presented the tour to their parents, followed by a reception to help recognize their hard work.

Louise Marks

Fleetwood Brown

Aimee McShane

Steven Craig and Will Nicklas

Addison Ingle takes questions

2009-2010 Junior Docents

Photographs courtesy of Carolina Photosmith.

adminlasley :: May.25.2010 :: Education, Programs :: No Comments »

Today is the opening day of our special Art to Go exhibition, featuring work created by students at Mt. Zion Elementary School. Over the course of the 2009/2010 school year, the Gibbes Art to Go program, led by teaching artist Martha Criscuolo, visited Mt. Zion on Johns Island every Thursday. This special partnership was designed to introduce students in grades 1-5 to both art history and studio art, while using the Gibbes permanent collection and special exhibitions as sources of inspiration for their own artmaking. Culminating their year of study, this special exhibition features works created by the students. Each student chose one artwork that they felt best expressed them for the exhibition. The exhibition will be on view through this weekend—we hope to see you at the Gibbes!

 Want learn more about the Gibbes Art to Go program? Contact Rebecca Sailor at (843) 722-2706, ext. 41.

adminlasley :: May.21.2010 :: Education, Exhibitions, Welcome Gallery :: No Comments »

Each Thursday during the school year, Teaching Artist and Museum Educator Martha Criscuolo leads Art to Go at Mt. Zion Elementary School on Johns Island. During the program she instructs students in grades 1-5 on a variety of art projects. These particular photos are from a paper mache project with 4^th and 5^th grade students. The project was included in a lesson on folk art based on the Ancestry and Innovation exhibition hosted by the Gibbes this past summer. In addition to classroom sessions, students visit the Gibbes as part of the Art to Go experience.

 To find out more about Art to Go, click here or contact Rebecca Williams at (843) 722-2706 x41 or rcwilliams@gibbesmuseum.org.

adminlasley :: Mar.30.2010 :: Education :: No Comments »