Art Lesson
OVERVIEW
We are relating the architectural concept of an Atlas that is represented in Dare Coulter’s sculpture “Because Its Time” with the concepts the students will be learning about Resilience. We have several art projects that can be completed to showcase students' resilience.
STANDARDS:
NC SEL Standards:
Self Awareness/ relationship skills
7.V.2.3: Create original art emphasizing selected elements and principles to express ideas or feelings.
TO BEGIN THE LESSON
RESILIENCE: Review definition. : Resilience is our ability to bounce back from tough times and challenges. When we're resilient, we can cope with difficult situations and keep things in perspective, and even thrive.
Then introduce the concept of art as a means of expression. It can be for social justice or personal issues. We are going to learn about a North Carolina Artist: Dare Coulter who is creating a sculpture for UNCW called: “Because its Time” depicting Black resistance and resilience in Wilmington NC.
Click here to see a video of Dare Describing her sculpture" Because Its Time" To cover parts of the history behind her sculpture we have added middle school lessons under Social Studies Lessons.
Dare Coulter
Dare Coulter (1993) is a sculptor, muralist, and artist. She graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor's in Art + Design, and also considers herself to be a graduate of Meredith College. Dare focuses heavily on positive imagery of people of color, with the hope of providing a beautiful and joyous reflection for black people to see themselves in. She has illustrated four children’s books and is currently working on her fifth as an agent-represented illustrator. Meanwhile pursuing her goal of a mural and a monumental sculpture on every continent.
Dare Coulter discussing Resiliency and Because It's Time Sculpture.mp4PRESENTATION
Show Dare’s video describing the sculpture ”Because it’s Time.”
Points to bring up:
Ties to Wilmington History and how this is an art piece of Black Resilience
Point out how Dare uses art to represent her own resilience
Then focus on the atlas portions of the sculpture.
ATLAS (architecture) - It is a statue that looks like it is holding up the structure. It functions as a pedestal or column usually holding up the building or an object. Named for Atlas from Greek Mythology who held up the sky.
A resilient person can handle difficulties, just like an atlas
Below are draft renderings of "Because It's Time" Notice the statues holding up the top of the sculpture. Those are called "atlases" in architecture. They appear to be lifting up the structure, Keeping it study, strong and resilient!
BECAUSE IT'S TIME
Full Statue, Front View
The Atlases are the black figurines standing on the columns holding up the top of the statue.
DISCUSSION
Questions for students:
What helps to hold you up when life gets difficult?
What do you hold up? Is there a person that holds you up?
What word represents one ideal you want your atlas to hold up?
We will be putting together as an art exhibit at the Cameron Art Museum and on a website.
Teachers will select one or more of the following projects. Students will create an Atlas holding their Resilience word. Then they will complete an Art Talk about their art piece and tell the story about their art. Directions for the Art Talk is under Language Arts Lesson.
Directions for each project are found below the the photo of example art pieces.
Foil Relief
Foil Relief Directions.pdf
Found Object Word Collage
Found Object Collage Word Directions.pdf
Found Object Atlas
Found Object Collage Atlas on bottle Directions.pdf
Found Object Frame
Found Object Collage on Frame Directions.pdf