Art education develops a student's mind in so many ways
While the fine arts does involve creating “pretty pictures,” Libby High School students discover that their courses encompass much more.
They will learn about the brain in an anatomy class.
In art class they will learn about how their left brain and right brain have been trained and how the two halves function.
Learning about and understanding the left brain/right brain functions not only allows a student a wider latitude in their creative artistic endeavors, it will enhance a student’s ability to problem-solve in math and science as well as in creative writing and in appreciating their daily surroundings and encounters.
While geared toward fine art, students encounter lessons that may help them in the future they face after they leave the hallowed halls and safety net of Libby High School. A goal is that their confidence will grow as their knowledge expands.
On a daily basis, art surrounds everyone everywhere — from the bright red octagon sign at the four-way stop on Education Way to the mosaic and painted murals on the school walls to 360 degrees of Mother Nature’s beautiful scenery.
In the tiny Libby High School Art Department, students encounter lessons that may be applied to life experiences they will be encountering in their future.
The first creative course budding artists encounter is art fundamentals. Ideally, this class is the first class they take because it is here the students learn the basics: basic terminology, basic tools and understanding why art is a mandatory course as dictated by Montana law.
Initially, students learn art appreciation and how art affects them now and for the rest of their lives.
In the next phase, students study the history of art and examine the famous art they will encounter throughout their lives. To name a few examples, there is Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” or the “Mona Lisa,” Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” or “Sunflowers,” Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” and since we live in Montana — Charles Marion Russell.
Art fundamentals introduces the five elements of art and principles of design into the students’ vernacular. The five elements of art are the “tools” an artist uses to create. These elements include line, shape, value, texture and color. (Any mechanic knows that a well equipped tool box makes fixing his car a much easier process.)
The principles of design are the “guidelines” for the artist to use as he or she puts those tools to use creating a drawing, a painting, a sculpture or taking a photograph — whatever their creative heart imagines.
The principles of design involve rhythm, movement, balance, proportions, variety, emphasis, harmony and unity. Bear in mind that all this information has to be covered in one semester, so this class can be intense.
Art fundamentals establish a strong base of knowledge and build confidence for the student to move into the other courses offered in the Libby High School Art Department: drawing, painting, photography and pottery.
Many students have gone on to build successful careers in their chosen art fields.
(Patty Rambo is an art teacher at Libby High School.)