Team Results from the La Crosse Regional:
West Salem is moving on to State as the Overall Champ. La Crosse Central moves on as the Critical Thinking Champ. Onalaska beat out all other teams in the Quiz Bowl. Individual students from Tomah, Viroqua, Onalaska, La Crosse Central, and West Salem will advance to the State VAC Competition.
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Drawing:
For drawing, the prompt is involving plants. It is simply an illustration of the inside of that plant.
Students can work smaller. The caution is that their piece may not have the same impact of students who work to the maximum size. Painting:
1/4" or ⅛” MDF or masonite board can be used.
I personally would prefer seeing my students finding the space and taking a photo, so they can control the composition and light. It doesn't specify the source of the imagery, but creativity is important for the competition.
I really think that students should be finding and photographing their natural light interior space . In the tradition Pissaro. he would have been painting directly from his source. This gives students creative ownership of their piece. Ceramics:
The idea of scientific study is to observe a subject and sculpt it in clay. The student will not need to create labels, but the sculpture show how a scientist would pull apart or away layers of the subject to reveal more. In the revealing more, the human element can be exposed. Looking at the Kate McDowell's work it recommended.
The natural color of the fired clay is used for this prompt. Red and white clay is a great option here. Our grade schools use these clay bodies. If you look at the ceramicist from our artist list, you will see that she works with forms and clay color. There are colored porcelains as well.
We were reference Kate MacDowell when we wrote that question. She would be best for look at for a visual reference. She adds human parts to animals, like a dissected bird with a human skeleton inside. From what I have observed, she places things logically. Printmaking:
I think that trees can have many things added to them through their life cycle, like broken limbs from storms or holes from animal, Why not a swing.
That should be fine as long as it is printed. Sculpture:
A fabric sail would fall under system for movement, so fabric would be fine.
The material list refers to "Wood, plastic, metal or other suitable sculpture material for the main structure." Stay with these materials. Flames at competition could cause problems. I know at our regional, the pieces are on display on fabric covered benches. Fire would not be good. The Strandbeests are made from simple materials. I may need more information about the idea to really get to an answer.
As far as the video, have her work with someone to learn the process. I teach video, so I was the resource to help my students understand how to create their video on their own. It a great learning opportunity. Personal Adornment:
card stock or starch can work for stabilizing the hat. The hat should be able to be worn easily without combs or ties to secure it to the wearer
I don't think that Duct Tape would be considered a fiber. Fabric could be fiber, but duct tape is an adhesive. Duct tape could also be the stabilizing structure.
For Personal Adornment, wire and cardboard would function well for stabilizing structures.
The direction of this prompt is about about dying fiber. Biolumiance would not fit this prompt unless it could be achieved through dying. The metal could not be anything beyond a structure due to it not being a dye-able fiber.
For personal adornment stick to dye-able fabric, fiber or yarn only. That includes no fake flowers unless they are hand dyed and student. made. Art History:
For art history, be cautious. I would hesitate to collage with an adhesive not on the material list. The images could be drawn from a collage. Computer Graphics:
Scientific Process is referring to a naturally occurring event such as photosynthesis, digestion, a star being born, etc. A scientific experiment can study a scientific process, but it is not necessarily that process. Traditional Photography:
You are correct. No film needed. Digital Photography:
When you say digitally render, do you mean draw with a program? If this is you intent, this would be using a digital tool.
I think that light painting would neatly fall under experimenting with lighting.
Good call....no size. Most people will print at 8.5 x 11, but some may print bigger. ![]()
Visual Arts Classic Workshop
Feb 3 or 4, 2016, 10:30 –11:30 AM Prepare your Visual Arts Classic team with a docent-guided tour of the newly reopened Milwaukee Art Museum! Students will explore the history and context of works of art that either relate to or are by artists in the competition theme. (Please note: some, but not all of the artists in the theme are represented in the Museum’s Collection.) Teams are welcome to spend time self-guiding the rest of the Museum at the end of their guided tours. Grades 9–12 1 hour $5 per student (Teams will pay the museum directly.) Space is Limited to 50 students per day. Register online or call 414-224- 3842. o When registering remember to mention that you are part of the Visual Arts Classic group. When registering online there is a box at the bottom that you could put this information in to. o Each coach is responsible for registering their own team and managing all communication with MAM. o This is an optional event that is designed to enrich the Art History element of VAC. If you have any additional questions you can contact Beth Schlieger (VAC Contact) at waeavacwhitewaterchair@gmail.com or Amy Kirschke (Museum Contact) amy.kirschke@mam.org VISUAL ARTS CLASSIC - 2016
Art & Science You should be familiar with each of the artists and topics on the list below: Artist List: Leonardo da Vinci (including Golden Ratio) Rube Goldberg Beatrix Potter David Macaulay David Goodsell Camille Pissarro Albrecht Dürer Kate MacDowell Theo Jansen Ernst Haeckel Alfred Hitchcock Fritz Kahn We had a very successful day for our State VAC Competition, this is the second year we have held it at Edgewood College. Working with the professionals there, like Bob Tarrell, along with the VAC coaches that have stepped up and volunteered for leadership roles at this event made it all run smoothly. The best part of the day was seeing the amazing works that the students came up with in both their long-term and onsite events. This year we had 44 schools compete with approximately 300 students involved at the State competition level. The overall first place team was Luck, coached by Kyle Clemins.
Within the images you will find examples of artwork inspired by our 2015 theme: Earth, Wind, Fire and Art. One of the prompts that was one of my personal favorites was the onsite challenge for the sculpture students who created structures inspired by artists like Patrick Dougherty and Andy Goldsworthy within the natural settings surrounding Edgewood College. Taking On New School-wide Assessment Initiatives
Elizabeth Schlieger, VAC Chair It has been an interesting year for my colleagues and I in the world of assessment. Our high school is involved in a transition from a form of assessment that utilizes formative and summative assessments that are translated into a letter grade to a Standards Based Grading System (SBG). I opted to be part of our SBG pilot group, just like I opted to be part of the grading team when we switched to our current formative/summative system. For me, it is essential that I am part of this change so as to assure what is being developed works for the arts as well. Below is an overview of what I have learned so far about the SBG assessment system. The theory is fairly easy to buy into. Develop a grading system that is about communicating with students in a way that will facilitate learning directed at identified curricular standards. Most teachers will find that a SBG system is consistent with the research practices of Marzano, O’Conner, and Guskey and what they define as effective grading practices. It is the practicality of developing a system that does this while fighting the standard question—what’s my letter grade?—that becomes the challenge. At the beginning of this process I also felt that there was a need to translate the standard grades, which are recorded with a number from 1 – 4, into a letter grade at the end of the semester because of the implications secondary grades have on post-secondary school. It has only taken me 3 months to no longer feel it is necessary. In fact, I believe that it gets in the way of one of the main theories behind SBG—communicating student learning on identified standards. Retaining letter grades is just about an inability to let go of the past and a language that is no longer sufficient in communicating out to students what their learning is. The next obstacle is, which standards and how many? This is a seemingly overwhelming task in a sea of State and National content standards, no matter what your content is. Our district has given us a guideline of 6 or less, which helps. Thankfully the recently released National Visual Arts Standards (NVAS) help as well in narrowing this down and developing a language that can be effectively translated into a SBG rubric that can be utilized by both the instructor and the student. In addition to clear standards, the NVAS have been established with different levels within secondary education; proficient accomplished and advanced. It is just a process of deciding which standards fit with which course and at which level. Easy right? But then the real work begins. Each time we adjust our assessment we have to look at our entire curriculum, the lessons we use as part of the learning process, and ultimately we need to reflect on if we are connecting with student learning in its desired capacity. Some positives that have come from being part of this pilot include that I have had to evaluate how I use each moment of instruction within my classroom, making my instruction more effective in the process. I have developed an additional feedback tool to go along with the basic SBG assessment that includes self-reflection and instructor feedback on specific elements of projects to help students understand how they apply to the standards, which essentially pulls the student into the assessment process more. I have developed additional learning tools that require students to engage in more content writing, so I am finding a better balance between studio and reflecting/critique for my students. In general I feel more connected to what my students know, when they know it, and how I can individually address those students who still need more help in showing that they have mastered the essential standards of the course. So far it has almost been like developing a new language, but when your goal is about more effective communication of student learning I guess this makes sense. I’m still learning and still adapting. If you are interested in finding out more about SBG in the secondary art room please feel free to contact me at eschlieger@marshallschools.org. Elizabeth Schlieger
VAC State Chair As I write this column, it is now a week past the Wisconsin Art Educators Association State Convention held in Milwaukee this year, as I sit and reflect on the experience. First, I think it is significant to note that it has been about eight years since I have been at the WAEA convention, but once I received the email this summer about this year’s theme, Art Connects Us, I immediately contacted the chemistry teacher I co-teach a class with and asked her to join me in presenting. What a great opportunity, a forum in which to share something I am passionate about teaching that relies on a non-traditional collaboration within the secondary school level, with a group of people that are just as passionate about learning and making art. A place to share how we, as educators and artists, can find new ways to expand how students think about art and its connectivity to not only our current culture, but all cultures throughout history. Art is tied to science, math, literature, history, technology; which brings me to the Visual Arts Classic (VAC). Walking in to the first morning of convention, I immediately started to reconnect with the educators that I have developed working relationships with through VAC. Relationships built through constant collaboration; first as a coach, then as a Regional Chair, and now as the State Chair. Feeding on each other’s strengths, supporting each other as we all learn in the effort to supply an alternative opportunity for our students to excel at something they too are passionate about. Other teachers that have committed their time not only as an advisor for their school teams, many without pay, but who also donate endless hours of their own time to refine themes, research artists and develop prompts. This collaborative spirit not only benefits our students, but also feeds us as educators. Reflecting on both of these experiences, I am excited to report that many of our prompts this year are combining experiences and strengths in areas other than what some would say are traditional forms of art. With our 2015 theme of Earth, Wind, Fire and Art, students will find themselves needing to engage with teachers outside of the art room to gain access to the tools and knowledge needed to complete projects. I have already begun collaboration with our metals and woods teacher, physics teacher, and business teacher making sure that I can send my team members in their direction for additional support. It is not enough to simply talk about how the many connections within our world can make learning more significant and engaging, we need to provide those opportunities and real life examples to our students as well. Color Experience: Art and Science presentation can be found at: https://sites.google.com/a/marshallschools.org/color-experience/home Elizabeth Schlieger VAC State Chair As I take on my new role as the Visual Arts Classic Chair, there is little time to rest and reflect as we are already in full planning mode for our 2015 season, Earth, Wind, Fire and Art. However, part of being an effective leader is doing just that, taking time to reflect on the successes and challenges of the past in order to improve future endeavors and experiences. Fortunately, I come into a program that has many successes, which leaves time to work on one of the main challenges, one that exists in all of Art Education—advocacy. Specifically, I am looking at ways to help art educators who have already recognized the benefits of the Visual Arts Classic program for enriching their students’ art education, but continue to struggle with funding their efforts. When I started the Visual Arts Classic team at the high school I work at 8 years ago, I did so in an unpaid position. Fortunately, our school has a process in place to start a new team or organization, which includes steps to becoming a paid advisor. This, along with an administrator that supported my belief in this program, lead to a paid position as an advisor, just like other curriculum enriching teams like Science Olympiad, Math Team, FCCLA, Forensics and FFA. I mention this process because as a whole I am shocked by the large percentage of VAC advisors who remain unpaid and work with a minimal budget. Advocating for your program and yourself is not always easy, but it is essential. Know what the process is for developing paid extra-curricular positions in your district and engage in the process. Being paid is not the only way to legitimize a program, but I strongly believe that this is part of the path to a successful program. I would also encourage coaches to start having discussions with their administrators about developing a budget for supplies that exists outside of their classroom art budget. As coaches engage in this process, it is important to be able to support how Visual Arts Classic involvement provides an academic enriching experience for students that is unique to the program. As I am currently delving into the new National Core Arts Standards and their focus on creating, presenting, responding and connecting I find myself thinking about ways VAC fits into these areas and how it is pushing students toward that upper level of high school advancement. Specifically, I look at the days of VAC competition where students are immersed in a collaborative environment of creation, evaluation, discussion and presentation. One of my goals for my first year as VAC State Chair is to develop materials to help teachers and coaches advocate for this program and its funding because of the valuable art enriching experience it provides to students. |
Visual Arts Classic[VAC] Blog![]() VAC Contact Information: Libby Han VAC Chair waeavac@gmail.com ![]() Please direct all questions about the prompts to: Dana Rice VAC Prompt Chair waeavacpromptchair@gmail.com ![]() Please send registration, checks and membership information to:
VAC Registration Chair Mia van der Paardt waeavacregchair@gmail.com 1003 Tiffany Street Boyceville, WI 54725 715.643.3647 ext. 421 ![]() If you are interested in judging State VAC this year, plase contactState judges contact: John-Paul Butcher State Judges Contact waeavacjudges@gmail.com ![]() Please send your quiz bowl questions with answers and sources to: Luke Konkol VAC Quiz Bowl Chair waeavacquizbowl@gmail.com Archives
February 2016
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