17th Annual Wells Fargo Student Art Contest Teacher Packet Contents 1.
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Art Contest Flyer 2014 Rules & Guidelines An Introduction to the Silk Road (by Vehishta Kaikobad) Silk Road Maps Trivia Questions Silk Road in the Classroom: Suggestions for Integration STUDENT ART CONTEST
“My Caravanserai” Inspired by Society for the Performing Arts’ 2014‐2015 education residency Caravanserai: Malaysia, the 17th Annual Wells Fargo Student Art Contest is entitled “My Caravanserai.” Caravanserai: Malaysia is a three‐part residency that introduces American audiences to exciting and dynamic artists from the Muslim world, and more specifically in 2014‐2015, the art and culture of Malaysia. Inspiration Caravanserais were roadside inns located upon trade routes in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, especially along the Silk Road. Travelers along these routes used the caravanserais as safe‐havens where they could rest, restock their supplies, converse with other travelers and enjoy entertainment. No matter who you were, what country you were from, or what language you spoke, everyone was welcome at the caravanserais. The exchange of ideas along these trade routes, facilitated by caravanserais, led to a great cultural exchange between East and West and was a significant factor in the development of many countries, including Malaysia. Three Malaysian artists touring as part of this year’s Caravanserai program embody this spirit of diversity: the Diplomats of Drum, a 16‐piece ensemble which performs a “global fusion” of music from around the world on a variety of traditional and modern instruments; Pete Teo, a Malaysian filmmaker who produced 15Malaysia, a series of short films directed by 15 independent directors, each examining a different socio‐political aspect of life in Malaysia; and Wayang Kulit: The Shadow Play of Kelantan, a traditional shadow puppetry performance based on a Hindu epic poem adapted for Muslim villages. All of us are on journeys of some sort—caravanserais let us take a moment to share our experiences, tell our stories, and learn from those around us. Motif: Wayang The term wayang is the Javanese word for shadow, which plays a vital role in the traditional shadow puppetry of Malaysia, Wayang Kulit. Shadow will serve as the motif for this year’s art contest. What should I submit? Students are encouraged to create artwork inspired by the spirit of Malaysia and the caravanserai: inclusiveness, diversity, and the exchange of ideas. Students should consider their own journeys and the story they want to tell about who and what has influenced their life. Artwork with a distinctive Asian or Malaysian quality or characteristic is not required. Successful entries will incorporate this year’s theme and the design element of wayang. Awards and Divisions Students compete in five divisions for awards and scholarships: Division A: grades K‐2 Division B: grades 3‐5 Division C: grades 6‐8 Division D: grades 9‐11 Division E: grade 12 Winning entries and honorable mentions will be dis‐
played in the Wells Fargo Student Art Contest Ex‐
hibit at the Glassell Junior School from early April through early May 2015. The recognized contest‐
ants, along with their teachers, will be invited to an awards ceremony to celebrate with family and friends on February 28, 2015. Judgment Criteria: The entries will be judged on creativity, artistic skill, and interpretation of the theme. •
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Personal Expression: Does the artwork provide evidence of creativity and individuality? Is the result distinctive? Does it leave an impression? Technique: Does the piece display mastery of the media and tools utilized to craft the artwork? Is it well‐executed? Style: Did the artist effectively compose and organize the elements of art? Is the concept presented in a unique way? Is it original? Submitting Artwork Teacher Workshop All contestants must register for the contest. Regis‐
tration packets are available at spahouston.org/
artcontest. Artwork should remain unsigned and anonymous, but the contest entry form must be printed and attached to the back of each submitted artwork. Artists can submit only one entry per year. Group art projects and collective efforts are not allowed. Visit spahouston.org/artcontest for additional requirements and size restrictions. Artwork with completed forms may be mailed in a portfolio/envelop or delivered in person to the following address: Those with students or children submitting artwork are encouraged to attend a Teacher Workshop on Monday, October 6th, 2014 from 9:30am‐2:30pm at the Glassell Jr. School. Art contest submission guide‐
lines, the judging process, and suggested techniques will be reviewed and discussed by local experts and teachers with successful contest track records. More information at spahouston.org/teachers. Society for the Performing Arts Attn: Education Department 615 Louisiana, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77002 Questions? Contact SPA’s Education Department: Jordan Drum Director of Education & Community Engagement [email protected] | 713‐632‐8102 Stephanie Gumpf Education Coordinator [email protected] | 713‐632‐8112 Important Dates Teacher Workshop Monday, October 6, 2014 9:30am‐2:30pm Curbside Drop‐Off at Jones Hall Tuesday, February 10, 2015 4:30pm‐6:30pm Wednesday, February 11, 2015 4:30pm‐6:30pm Thursday, February 12, 2015 4:30pm‐6:30pm Final Deadline for Submissions Thursday, February 12, 2015 6:30pm Awards Ceremony & Performance Saturday, February 28, 2015 3:30pm Student Art Exhibit April 6 ‐ May 10. 2015 Glassell Junior School About Special thanks to Wells Fargo Bank, corporate sponsor of SPA’s Student Art Contest. Caravanserai: A place where cultures meet is produced by Arts Midwest on behalf of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations with leadership support from the Building Bridges Program of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. Caravanserai’s film and media programming is coordinated on behalf of the program by South Arts. 17th Annual Wells Fargo Student Art Contest
Rules & Guidelines
The Wells Fargo Student Art Contest is open to students in grades K-12 attending public, private or home
schools in the Greater Houston Area.
What should I submit?
Students are encouraged to create artwork inspired by the spirit of Malaysia and the caravanserai:
inclusiveness, diversity, and the exchange of ideas. Students should consider their own journeys and the story
they want to tell about who and what has influenced their life. Artwork with a distinctive Asian or Malaysian
quality or characteristic is not required. Successful entries will incorporate this year’s theme and the design
element of wayang, the Indonesian word for “shadow.”
Awards and Divisions
Students compete in five divisions for Awards or Scholarships.
Division A - Grades K-2
Division D - Grades 9-11
Division B - Grades 3-5
Division E - High School Seniors
Division C - Grades 6-8
Winning entries and honorable mentions will be displayed in the Wells Fargo Student Art Contest Exhibit at the
Glassell Junior School from April 6 – May 10, 2015. The recognized artists, along with their teachers, will be
invited to an awards ceremony to celebrate with family and friends on February 28th, 2015.
Judgment Criteria
Entries will be judged on creativity, artistic skill, and interpretation of the theme.
Personal Expression: Does the artwork provide evidence of creativity and individuality? Is the result
distinctive? Does it leave an impression?
Technique: Does the piece display mastery of the media and tools utilized to craft the artwork? Is it
well executed?
Style: Did the artist effectively compose and organize the elements of art? Is the concept presented
in a unique way? Is it original?
Approximately 50 to 75 words for an Artist Statement. It should include the title of the artwork, the
date of completion and a description of the media utilized. Artist statements are optional, but
encouraged. Teachers and parents may assist in writing and/or transcribing the Artist Statement. (For
additional help with the Artist Statement, see “Additional Resources” below).
Maximum Size and Dimensions
Rectangles: 16 x 20 inches
Circles: 19 inches in diameter
Squares: 19 X 19 inches
All other shapes must fit within the maximum dimensions of the rectangle, circle or square. Matting is
recommended, but not required. The size and dimension restrictions above do not include the matting. Please
do not use matting wider than 2 inches.
Artwork should be not thicker than 1/2 inch.
Acceptable Mediums
Paintings: acrylics, oil, watercolor, tempera, etc.
Digital and traditional collages
Photography and graphic arts
Drawings: charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, line drawings, sketches, pen & ink, pastels
Prints: lithographs, etchings, silk screen, block prints, monotypes
Textile arts: patchwork, embroidery, needlepoint, tapestry
Submitting Artwork
All contestants must register for the contest (see “Submission Guidelines” form). Artwork must remain
unsigned and anonymous, but the contest entry form must be printed and securely attached to the back of
each submitted artwork. Artists can submit only one entry per year. Group art projects and collective efforts
are not allowed.
Artwork with completed forms may be mailed in a large envelope/portfolio or delivered in person (MondayFriday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) to:
Society for the Performing Arts
Attn: Education Department
Jesse H. Jones Hall
615 Louisiana, Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77002
OR, artwork with completed forms can be submitted via curbside drop-off outside Jones Hall during the
following dates/times:
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Thursday, February 12, 2015
4:30 – 6:30 PM
4:30 – 6:30 PM
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Important Dates
Teacher Workshop
Monday, October 6, 2014
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Curbside Artwork Drop-off
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Thursday, February 12, 2015
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Final Deadline for Submissions
Thursday, February 12, 2015
6:30 PM
Awards Ceremony
Saturday, February 28, 2015
3:30 PM
Student Art Exhibit
April 6 – May 10, 2015
Submission is Permission
The artist, teacher and parent(s)/guardian(s) understand that as a condition of participation in the 17th Annual
Wells Fargo Student Art Contest, they grant permission to display the artist’s artwork, to photograph, film, or
otherwise record the artist and his/her artwork and to reproduce the student’s artwork in whole, in part or
composite. The student and parent(s)/guardian(s) waive and release any and all rights to inspect/approve the
final product, and they release, discharge, and hold harmless Society for the Performing Arts from any liability
by virtue of the use of the student’s artwork or images.
To prevent use of the student’s image or artwork, the student’s legal guardian(s) must rescind permission in
writing no later than February 13, 2015.
Additional Resources
Writing an Artist’s Statement:
http://www.artbusiness.com/artstate.html
http://www.artstudy.org/art-and-design-careers/sample-artist-statement.php
http://artiststatement.com/
Caravanserai: A Place Where Cultures Meet (information on Malaysia, Wayang Kulit, etc.)
www.caravanserai-arts.org
The 16th Annual Student Art Contest: To see last year’s winners, visit:
http://www.spahouston.org/education/2013-2014-program-highlights/16th-annual-wells-fargostudent-art-contest-winners
Questions? Contact SPA's Education Department!
Jordan Drum |Director of Education & Community Engagement | 713-632-8102 | [email protected]
Stephanie Gumpf | Education Coordinator | 713-632-8112 | [email protected]
Special thanks to Wells Fargo Bank, corporate sponsor of the 17th Annual Student Art Contest.
The Silk Road
By Vehishta Kaikobad
The “Silk Road” resonates with images of exotic places, romance and adventure. In reality
the Silk Road was a network of trade routes, over both land and sea, which linked three
continents from China to Europe and all the lands in between.
It is of historic importance in connecting the ancient world not just through the items which
were traded but also through the exchange of cultural, religious and artistic values which
were passed down through generations leaving its impact on the modern world.
Salient features of the Silk Road:
 The term “Silk Road” was coined by a German explorer Ferdinand von Richthofen
(19th century) owing its importance to Chinese silk trade.
 The routes from China to Mediterranean measured thousands of miles beginning in
Chang’an (Xian) and made its way as far as the ancient Roman Empire.
 Significant places along the Silk Road included China, (also Korea and Japan),
Persia (Iran), Arabia, Afghanistan, the Mongol ruled Eurasian steppes, India, Egypt,
Judea, Greece and Rome.
 Trade routes made their way via sea to Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc.
 The “historic Silk Road” lasted from 2nd century B.C. to 14th century A.D.
Some Important items traded along the Silk Road included:
 China – Silk, jade, lacquer ware, porcelain, dried rhubarb, paper
 Near East – Horses, amber, lapis lazuli, silver, fruits, carpets
 India – Textile, ivory, spices, jewelry, pearls, perfume
 Rome – Coins, gold, glass
East West Exchange
 Religion - Buddhism being the most prominent
 Science and Astronomy
 Music
 Aesthetic exchange through art and artifacts
 Architecture
 Sericulture
The Importance of Silk Road today
By the 15th and 16th centuries the significance of the Silk Road declined. However, today
the importance of the Silk Road has been revived due to the presence of oil, and other
natural resources.
The Silk Road still continues to conjure the spirit of exploration amongst all those who seek
to discover it.
Trade of the ancient world along the Silk Road
http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/exhibit/trade/trade_routes.jpg
(Trivia)
Trekking through Asia
1.
What is the length of the Great Wall of China?
2.
Who was Siddhartha?
3.
Where is Gandhara?
4.
Name an important natural resource of Korea.
5.
Name three Chinese Inventions.
6.
What is the Silk Route?
7.
What does “stones from heaven” refer to?
8.
Who was the famous explorer who is believed to have visited
the court of the great Mongol leader Kublai Khan in the 13th
century?
9.
With which European country did the Han Dynasty trade in the
2nd Century B.C.?
10.
Who is a boddhisattva?
11.
Name one major Daoist belief that influenced landscape
painting in China/Korea/Japan.
12.
Name some of the items traded along the Silk Route.
13.
What is Celadon?
14.
Who is referred to as the Lord of Dance?
15.
Which famous dynasty ruled India during the Renaissance era?
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Trivia Answers
Trekking through Asia
1.
4000 miles
2.
Gautama Buddha’s real name. He was a prince from
Kapilavastu.
3.
In the northern part of present day Pakistan. Close to
Afghanistan. Once part of Persian/Kushan Kingdoms.
4.
Clay.
5.
Silk, seismograph, plough, movable type, paper, magnetic
compass, fire crackers.
6.
Name of the ancient trading route from China to the
Mediterranean.
7.
Jade (nephrite and jadeite).
8.
Marco polo.
9.
Rome
10.
A holy being who gives up his own salvation to help others
attain theirs.
11.
Harmony in Nature.
12.
Silk, pearls, jade, musk, spice, glass, ivory, horses, rhubarb,
porcelain, grapes, amber.
13.
Celadon is a color that is a pale tint of spring green. Celadon
colored pottery is a specific style of pottery. Celadon glaze
refers to a family of transparent, crackle glazes, produced in a
wide variety of colors, generally used on porcelain or white
stoneware clay bodies.
14.
Natraj.
15.
Mughals.
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Suggestions and Ideas for implementing
“Silk Road in the Classroom”
ELEMENTARY LEVEL
Language Arts
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Vocabulary development
[Pre-Reading skills using pictures.
Sequencing/Patterning
from Asia].
Creative writing – with pictures and objects.
Poetry – Learning to look at landscapes, paintings etc.
Reading skills enrichment – Story and Art books.
Math
 Shapes
[using clay
 Geometry
artifacts]
 State Board required concepts – Ratio/Estimation/Problem
solving/Weight & Measures/Symmetry etc using artifacts from the Silk
Route.
 Computation with Abacus.
 Teaching Perspective with Landscape paintings.
Social Studies & Science
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Introduction to the globe – Create your own globe of the 7 continents.
Introduction to map skills – Travelling the Silk Route.
Trading – Role playing using objects from the Silk Route.
Learning new languages – Chinese characters.
Music and Movement
 Music – Making musical instruments with simple objects – boxes,
tubes etc.
 Movement – Group lessons involving large motor activities e.g. “Let’s
become a Pagoda”/ ‘Animal Parade with elephants’, tigers and
Bactrian camels.
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SECONDARY/HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL
Language Arts
 Enrichment of Reading skills via global awareness.
 Poetry – Haiku, irregular verses etc, using contemplative landscapes
from China, Korea (and Japan).
 Mythology – Indian, Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Antiquity - using
pictures referencing MFAH artifacts etc.
 Creative Writing - using pictures referencing MFAH artifacts etc.
 Journalism, Broadcasting, Interviews etc.
Math
 Geometry – via clay creations, molds etc.
 Strengthening TAKS concepts – using problem solving games,
hands-on activities to assess distance, estimation via trade etc.
 Understanding Perspective – “Shifting Planes” – Korean/Chinese
landscapes.
 1 point perspective – Early Renaissance.
Social Studies
 Understanding cultures – Using workshop ideas for “Asia in the
Classroom”.
 Map skills – Charting maps connecting Asia to Europe (and Africa)
via the Silk Route.
 Creating landforms – using clay, paper mache, and objects.
 Understanding Trade via role – playing Silk Route.
 Astronomy – Studying Chinese horoscope and inventions.
 Games to enrichen General knowledge of Asia
o Trivia “Trekking through Asia”
o Jeopardy
o Board Games
 Inventors’ Convention – Role playing using ideas of Chinese
inventions etc.
 Geology & Archeology – Discovering rocks and gems from the world:
Jade, pearl, amber, lapis lazuli, gold, silver, bronze via Silk Route and
other sources.
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Literature
 Introduction to (Pictorial) stories from Shahnameh (Epic of the
Kings) (Persian); Ramayana; Mahabharata; “Confucius says” etc.
 Famous personalities – Confucius, Lao Tse, Buddha Gandhi.
 Peace Education – Reflections and quotes of famous (Asian)
personalities to promote peace and self-enlightenment.
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Art
Extend your creativity to implement all the ideas mentioned, aesthetically.
Use a sensorial exposure to develop fine motor skills and cognitive abilities.
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Collage (using grains, beads and “junk”).
Clay creations.
Weaving.
Mask making.
Printing with different mediums (using vegetable and fruits from Asia).
Calligraphy – Chinese, Persian etc.
Sketching/Painting – Indian motifs, Persian miniatures, Chinese,
Korean, Japanese landscapes.
Tactile exposure to different mediums (silk, metal, gems, ceramics).
Painting on different mediums – canvas, silk (or cloth), wood,
ceramics (tiles), glass, lacquer.
Mosaics – using pasta, grains, glass beads, shells, spices.
Paper craft.
Soap sculpting.
Painting to music from different countries and experiencing the
response evoked through the artistic creation.
Cross-cultural comparisons with works of art, to experience a deeper
understanding of ancient civilizations.
Photography.
Scrapbooks.
Batik.
Puppetry (with special reference to Wayang Kulik)
Additional activities
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Food Art – Architecture.
Quilting.
Mandalas.
Introduction to music from different countries along the Silk Road.
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