People who work with visual images include painters, quilters, ceramic artists, beadwork artists, sculptors, sign painters and people who arrange displays in store windows. These people and others like them live in all communities. By studying them and the work they do, students can begin to understand the role visual images play in daily life, and the many ways visual images reflect and define culture. This mini-unit encourages students to become aware of the connections between visual art and daily life. They can see that many artists choose their subject matter from what they see around them.
Students can also see that visual art is present in their own community.
Look at historical art works, contemporary works, local work and works of artists who depict particular cultural communities. Ask the students what they see in the works that tells them about time, location and way of life. Design projects based on the students' decisions. Hold a cultural day based on the community selected. This could include food preparation, clothing, housing, artifacts, etc.