Mini Art Lesson    Tuesday, May 5, 2020This week’s Mini Art Lesson takes a closer look at one

Mini Art Lesson    Tuesday, May 5, 2020This week’s Mini Art Lesson takes a closer look at one of the stars of our collection: The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago. Kids ages 2-6 can make placemats for their friends, family, and future dinner party guests. Kids 7 and up can make banners thanking important people in their lives, like caregivers, teachers, or even essential workers keeping us safe every day!FOR AGES 2–6:   LET’S PLAYChicago created the work between 1964 and 1979 as a way to honor women who were important in history. Each place setting at the table is for a different historical figure. Look at this placemat for Ethel Smyth. What can you guess about this guest at The Dinner Party?Now, think of someone you miss and hope to have over for a dinner party when it’s safe. What symbols or pictures can you draw that remind you of them? Draw several of these symbols or pictures on a piece of paper. Think of a message to write to them. Start by thinking about what you would like to do when you first see them again. Have your grownup write your message or sound out each word and write the message yourself! Send a picture of your decorated placemat to your guest. As a special treat, you could even mail it to them!Bonus: Look at some of the shapes in these pieces. Can you find similar shapes with some dry food items in your pantry? Make your own jewelry using household foods (like macaroni or cereal) and some string. You can wear your new jewelry to dress up for your future dinner party!FOR AGES 7+:   LET’S CREATEJudy Chicago is a feminist artist and activist who makes art that represents feminist issues. She also fought to change society. Today, we’ll be creating art that also has a message for the world. While the place settings are the centerpiece of The Dinner Party, visitors are welcomed into the piece by a series of woven entry banners. To make your own banner, you’ll need: Fabrics or old clothing that you’re allowed to cut upScissorsWriting utensilsTo begin, start with one big rectangle. A solid light color works best to draw on.Judy Chicago wanted The Dinner Party to bring attention to women from the past who had been ignored or kept out of history books. What community or person would you like to honor? Here, we will be celebrating essential workers who are keeping us safe right now. Before focusing on ceramics and tapestries, Judy Chicago made abstract art. Can you see the influence of abstraction on these banners? Let’s look at them for inspiration.Cut out some more fabric scraps. Starting with your biggest piece, make an organic shape. Then, layer more organic shapes on top of that. Is there a symbol that can help with your message? You can add that too. Here, we added a face mask and a heart to represent essential workers.Now, glue all your pieces down so they stay in place. Fabric glue works best, but regular all-purpose glue can work as well!Finally, hang up your banner somewhere for the world to see, like your front door!FOR TEACHERS, CAREGIVERS, AND PARENTS   Access a free teaching guide packed with questions for viewing and great activities and resources.We’ll be back next Tuesday with another Mini Art Lesson! In the meantime, let us know what your like to see or learn!Posted by Tamar MacKay and Noé GaytánJudy Chicago (American, born 1939). The Dinner Party, 1974-1979. Ceramic, porcelain, textile; triangular table. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10. © Judy Chicago (Photo: Photo by Donald Woodman Judy Chicago (American, b. 1939). The Dinner Party (Ethel Smyth place setting), 1974–79. Mixed media: ceramic, porcelain, textile. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10. © Judy Chicago. Photo: Photo by Donald Woodman Roots of “The Dinner Party”: History in the Making, October 20, 2017 through March 04, 2018 (Image: Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2017). -- source link

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