Art students participate in the UW Art Mobile program

Students in sixth grade art classes in Moorcroft participated in a virtual program hosted by Dr. Sarita Talusani Keller, Director of the Ann Simpson Art Mobile Program. The Artmobile typically brings museum exhibitions and programming to a wide range of venues throughout Wyoming but, due to coronavirus, this year they offered virtual experiences via Zoom.

Dr. Keller collaborated with MK8 art teacher, Dawn Anderson, to plan an engaging learning experience for all sixth graders, involving three 55-minute sessions.

The Artmobile Program uses an object-based inquiry learning model, which promotes active looking, critical thinking and discussion of multiple perspectives. An Artmobile visit is structured around the following five themes: observe, question, explore, create and reflect.

Students explored images from the Artmobile exhibition “At Work and At Play”. Content is interdisciplinary with strong connections to social studies, literacy and language arts.

A stand-up accordion book project was designed to help students hone critical thinking skills; develop evidence-based interpretations with the support of the Dr. Keller and their peers. It also enabled students to consider the roles of work and play in the development of community, society, culture and identity.

The lesson drew on student experiences and brought value to the many ways they contribute to family, community and society; make meaningful connections with others; and enrich and sustain community life, through work and play. The art lesson with Dr. Keller was structured in accordance with Wyoming K-12 Arts Standards, with avenues for connection to other curricular areas and standards with special emphasis given to connections to writing and literacy.

For more information on the program, checkout this link to the Artmobile exhibition page: http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/learn/outreach/artmobile/at-work-and-at-play/index.html