WEBQUESTMASTER

== = = = = = = =Introduction= = = =Task= = = =Process= = = =Resources= = = =Evaluation= = = =Conclusion=

=Introduction:=

Click for WebQuest in Word form

Art is a language we all share, regardless of our race, gender, upbringing or location on planet Earth. It is our first language. Art is tied to personal beliefs, identity, politics, environment, religion, energy, tradition, and language. What is your connection?

Our school has a connection with Ruth and Nohemi, a weaving cooperative formed for economic support by Mayan women in 1982 when the men of their village were all massacred by government troops. Our students visit this cooperative and purchase beautiful textiles to benefit the school fund as part of an exchange program.

We will use art to make connections between individuals, communities, cultures, and issues. The purpose of this WebQuest is to provide students with an overview of the basic concepts of fair trade as it relates to artist and artisan cooperatives. To fully appreciate the ways in which fair trade benefits these artists, student must see the artists and their communities in the context in which they exist and the challenges and tragedies that have shaped their work. By examining the situations and issues that affect artists and their communities, we can see their influence and better understand the meaning and messages in their artwork. How will this affect your own artwork?

From this research, student groups will gather information about various artists and organizations that support foreign cultures and their traditional handicrafts. Internet scholarship and Web based activities will provide greater access to these concepts and cultures and software programs will be used to complete assignments. The final result of each group’s research and efforts will be a World Bazaar and Art Exhibition at our school’s annual International Festival. This event draws over 500 people each year. For two things, you will be the event planners, hosts and managers! A portion of the monies raised will benefit the Ruth & Nohemi Cooperative, the rest you must decide what to do with it!!!

This quest or journey will take most of the quarter and is divided into five sections. You will also be responsible for working on a personal response piece during studio time. We will be using Microsoft Word and Excel as well as Web tools such as Quia, a Writeboard or Wiki, and Internet searches. Teacher Note: To have a truly international market our group will randomly select a country to represent at the market. We will limit our research to Guatemala, Central/South America, Africa, Asia and India. You may switch with another group, but only if everyone agrees. This will be done after Task III.



BACK TO TOP Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion
=The Task:=

I. View Video/ Podcast Lecture (Individual Assignment) This lecture presents Ruth & Nohemi, a Guatemalan weaving cooperative and fair trade artisan group. This will give you an intimate look at the history and artistry of a specific group. Take notes in your sketchbook as you will need this information later on in the unit.

II. Fair Trade Research (Individual Assignments) Quia Complete the Internet activity to obtain basic information Fair Trade. Review the terms and concepts associated with Fair Trade.

Wiki Group Think #1 Answer the following questions collaboratively and come up with united answers using the Writeboard/Wiki. Please make sure that each person in your group contributes at least 2 times and that you review each other’s comments for grammar and spelling. Place your individual ideas in your sketchbook. • What is Fair Trade? • Why is it important? • How can you help support Fair Trade individually? As a student? As a school? • Why is it important to do so? Personally? Globally? Environmentally? Click HERE to access the wiki page.

III. Create Tri-Fold Brochure (Individual Assignment) Use Microsoft Word to create a printable brochure that promotes the Ruth and Nohemi weaving cooperative or another artist cooperative that you found while researching Fair Trade. Click HERE for a brief Word tutorial and example of how to make this brochure.

IV. Create a database (min 5) (Collective Assignment) Use Excel to compile a list of local, national and International organizations, people and businesses that support your country, service-learning or arts and artists. Excel will help to keep this information organized. Start by collecting name, contact person, email, phone number, address, URL, aim of group/person, description of project or programs and a visual if possible. Click HERE for Excel Template and instructions on how to link to these items.

V. Plan & Execute a World Market / Bazaar and Art Exhibition The activities and research that you have been doing will now be used in a culminating activity and celebration.

WORLD BAZAAR

Internet Market Research Using your initial research on Fair Trade and your Database to decide what country you will represent in the Bazzar. You are allowed to rep only one country, but you may offer artworks from more than one artist or cooperative. Your group has $250 dollars to invest and purchase crafts from that country to be sold at the market. When deciding on what items to buy, keep in mind the population who will be buying your products*. Excel (add to your database) Find out purchasing information, contact the seller or wholesaler and include this contact and information in your database. Useful information might include ordering address, sales tax, shipping address, shipping and handling, phone number, email, website URL, and sales person name. You will also need item name, description, cost per item, etc…. Provide me with a ready to place order form.

Microsoft Word (printable peripherals) Use this program to create all educational and publicity related printable materials. These can include but are not limited to Brochure (1), poster (1), labels, and invitations to community connections.

Personalize Connections (Collective Assignment) People are affected by personal stories. When people makes connections or find similarities with other people, it brings them closer. To maximize the potential of our bazaar and help viewers understand the art they are seeing we need to help them connect. Create a fictional person situated in the artists group or community. Develop this person by telling his or her story as it relates to the artwork, the artist, the issues and history of that country. Don’t forget to make some element of that person connect or relate to someone who might view our show like a parent, classmate, teacher, or community member. Use the Character Development Template to help guide and record your research. It is up to the group how you present this character to the viewers and it can be in printed, visual, digital, audio, video form. Please let me know what additional resources or materials you might need.

ART EXHIBITION

Individual Visual Response Piece Each group member will create a visual response piece that documents his/her own newly discovered or strengthened global connection. This response can be based on a single artist, piece, group, issue, or the process you going through to uncover these things. You will create an artwork, choosing the media, size, theme and style of the work.

Connecting your group’s work Your group will be responsible for one module within the overall exhibit. Your five artistic responses must all connect in some way. Your pieces can be connected thematically, physically, stylistically, etc…. however you can think to make a connection.

Your Personal Connection & Labels In addition to the actual piece you will need to find and article or a website or something from the Internet that most moved you or spoke to you. Include this as part of your exhibit along with a written artist statement that explains your development and personal ties to a specific issue. How you do that is up to you, just make sure that your viewers can relate it to your piece. You will need labels for your pieces as well that provide Artist name, date, media, title and sale price if applicable.

Sample Visual Response (click HERE)

REVIEW of ASSIGNMENTS

Task I (10%) ___View Video/ Podcast Lecture

Task II (10%)__ _Internet Research/Quia Games/ Wiki Board

Task III (10%) ___Tri-fold Brochure (practice)

Task IV (10%)__ _Database

Task V: World Bazaar (20pt) ___Educational Printed Materials (2nd brochure, poster, flyers, labels, invitations__ _Internet Market Research ___Personalize Connections (Character Story)

Task V: Art Exhibit (20pt)__ _Your Personal Connection & Labels ___Individual Visual Response Piece__

_Sketchbook (10%) Notes on video lecture, wiki notes, personal research and connections with country, artists or issues related to them

BACK TO TOP

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion

=The Process:=

TO BEGIN: When you start a new TASK, view all the sites listed under the RESOURCES section that have asteriks (*) by them. These are not intended to limit you, but rather to guide you in the right direction.

1) Finish Task I 2) Finish Task II 3) Finish Task III 4) Choose Country 5) Finish Task IV 6) Decide on group roles.

JOBS An exhibit or a market does not just happen overnight. Similar to all good galleries and museums, many people come together to make an exhibition. And there are several products involved in hosting an exhibition. Each group will consist of the following roles to be decided by group members:

Document Specialist: This person will collect all images, related images, video footage, photos etc… This person will also be responsible for the correct labeling and information about each work and artist. This information will become the exhibit catalog and be passed on to the publisher.

Publicists (2): This person will oversee all printed material, ads and peripherals and will work closely with all others to reflect the themes and motifs to be used by the group. See me for copy machine password. These group members will also be in charge of finding and contacting community partners or groups who may be interested in our event. They will contact by letter, email or phone and follow up with an invitation to the Exhibit and Market.

Researcher: For this role, the person will collect all biographical information on each artist or artwork chosen. A researcher will double check the authenticity of data through more than one site as well as compile complete biography on each artist or group on the show. Researcher is in charge of all educational posters and flyers.

Architect: This person is in charge of the physical space and look of the exhibition. This person will meet with other architects to plan the traffic flow throughout the show, placements of visuals, construction of framing, platforms, podiums, etc, This person will be responsible for the actual hanging of the show and set up of the bazaar.

7) Work on World Bazzar and Art Exhibition portions. This can be done in sequence or simultaneously. This depends on your group members.

8) We will have class meetings after Task III and after Task IV for clarification. 9) Independent Studio work on individual pieces will be ongoing.

10) Finalize and mount show and World Bazzar 11) Class debriefing and evaluate your group members.

GRADING Please see the rubric in the Evaluation section of this assignment. Parts of this unit are to be done individually over the course of the nine weeks, but will have a bearing on your group performance. Grades for the Video Lecture notes (to be turned in your sketchbook), the Quia activities and games and the Word tri-fold brochure will be entered as they are completed. (Tasks I-III) The database should be turned in two weeks before the show/bazaar. All grades associated with the actual event and visual response piece will be recorded after the event and our class debriefing. During this debriefing you will have the opportunity to evaluate your group members on their performance.

BACK TO TO

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion

=Resources: General (each Task may have additional resources)=

Art Terms ArtLex (art dictionary) Wikipedia

Museums & Galleries International Museum of Cultures

Fair Trade & Bazaars & Support Café and Word Folk Art Ten Thousand Villages Fundraising with Fair Trade Cultural Survival Aid to Artisans

Personal Connections Mysterios Crafts Exhibition (An interesting example of students inspired by the artworks of another culture and time period.)

New Media Virtual Kaleidoscope (Art Games)

Exhibition and Display Alexander Calder Virtual Tour / Sample

BACK TO TOP

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion

Evaluation:

Task Beginning 0 – 1.0 (half points OK) Developing 1.5 – 2.0 Accomplished 2.5 - 3.0 Exemplary 4 Pt Sketchbook Lecture Notes & Wiki Think Missing or incomplete notes Basic notes, sloppy or difficult to read Solid notes with a few personal notations. All definitions Extensive notes with definitions, ideas & personal notations Quia Quiz & Activities

computer graded computer graded Computer graded computer graded Tri-fold brochure Missing or incomplete Basic Information, visually unappealing, not images All information included, use of imagery or clip art easy to read. Information is thorough, easy to find, clearly organized an presented, good use of clipart or images and colors, strong visual look. Art Exhibit “Personal Connections” Physical Show Poorly arranged, bottleneck exists, hard to see all pieces well, hard to get too, pieces, labels missing Some organization, some works hard to see, not all printed materials are visible, somewhat difficult to navigate. Show is mounted on time, but not early. All pieces visible as are printed materials, fairly easy access, labels included Show well laid out, good traffic flow, all labels mounted, all printed materials visible, show hung early in time for walk through Art Exhibit “Personal Connections” Motif & Unity None or missing images No unifying connection among pieces in group Basic development of artwork or direct copy of artisan work. Tentative unifying connection between artworks Somewhat visible connection between artwork and artisan work or artisan issues. Strong unifying connection between group member’s works Obvious blend of personal style and artisan style or subject matter. Unique or strong connection to issue evident in all pieces and appropriate. Art Exhibit “Personal Connections” Technical Skill Incomplete or missing work Work is complete, but sloppy, hastily done poorly crafted, little creativity Work is complete, detailed, well crafted with regards to media chosen. Shows creative use of materials Work is extremely well crafted, includes numerous details that enhance piece. Creative and purposeful use of materials and motifs to enhance message. Art Exhibit “Personal Connections” Communication - Education of Public No comment, weak comment or personal opinion only Identification of art and/or theme/subject matter. Brief mention of connection or artist issues or context. Identification of artisan issues, few ties between theme, subject matter and connections. Brief mention of inspiration/influence Imagery, subject matter, and thematic influences are clearly evident. Inspiration for you as an artist is clearly articulated, connections between them and the viewer. Database / Market Research Missing, Irrelevant Or 1-3 organizations with incomplete information Little or no info about artisans in group or target audience A minimum of 5 relevant organizations or community connections –Incomplete info Basic info about artisans in group or target audience At least 7 relevant organizations or individuals, most required information included. No contact have been made. Complete info about artisans in group or target audience 9 or more organizations or individuals, will all required data and info about artisans in group or target audience. Contacts made and recorded Bazaar Peripherals and Character Story Copied, little or no information about artisans or work from chosen country Some printed materials missing, no visual elements connect pieces, Artisan identity visible, some educational elements, basic visual appeal, required printed materials, basic character story grounded in fact Cohesive unified artisan identity promoted, educational elements, strong visual appeal. Unique marketing strategy employed, believable and motivating character story grounded in fact Group Rating (How well did you operate as part of a group) 1 did little or no work, did not fulfill their role or job, difficult to work with, offered neither help nor insights 2 did minimal work, barely fulfilled role or job, worked only when reminded or pestered, late with work, offered little or no insights 3 worked consistently, worked well with others, offered some suggestions, took care of assigned duties in role 4 completed all work required from role, thoroughly and in a timely manner. Offered good suggestions, available to help others, very easy to work with.

TOTAL

BACK TO TOP

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion

Conclusion:

While Fair Trade is a great strategy to enable impoverished cultures and artists to support themselves, much more is required. Hopefully each of you now has a greater appreciation for the work of these international artists and for the privileges you enjoy daily. By discovering the conditions and events that influence the artists and their artwork, perhaps you will be able to identify the issues that confront your own life and ways to respond artistically to them. Using art to respond to events and happenings around you can be a powerful way of changing people’s perspectives and can encourage them to act. I hope you enjoyed being part of this long project and look forward to seeing the connections you’ll make in the future.

BACK TO TOP

SAMPLE VISUAL RESPONSE

Sample Piece Sarah J. response piece a small, dark red, ceramic broken heart, nestled within another heart, being held in two pairs of hands. The smaller heart is cracked and broken in several pieces, but has names and dates written on it in handwriting. The larger heart is made or layers of bandages and plaster, some of which have been peeled back to reveal the smaller heart. These bandages have typewritten and handwritten names of people and businesses.

Sarah’s’ group represents Ghana in the World Bazzar and she was really moved by the AIDS crisis in Africa. In her written statement Sarah explains that the smaller heart is representative of all the children in Africa dying every day from AIDS or AIDS related issues. The numbers are their birth and death dates. It is ceramic because it is a solid permanent issue. The larger heart of bandages stands for the organizations, businesses that supply drugs, relief and aid to the African people. The bandages are dirty and tattered in places representing both the difficult, dirty and unpleasant task that faces the relief workers. The white of the bandages also symbolizes the purity and nobility of this huge task. The hands show different sizes and skin tones representing the variety of people involved in helping these people.