Welcome to Art Vistas!  A select group of parent volunteers (ArtGuides) who go into the classrooms six times during the course of the year and show the children a series of fine art prints. The ArtGuides lead a discussion of the prints and their artists, and encourage the students to answer questions and give their opinions.  Then, the ArtGuide hands out materials, and leads the students through a project that gives them a chance to explore and have fun with the new “building blocks of art” they have learned about providing unique creative opportunities.

With the knowledge and language gained from Art Vistas presentations, students can approach any work of art with a sense of confidence.  They can discuss the artist’s use of color, line, shape, texture, and value.  In addition, the student’s own artwork improves with the knowledge and hands-on experience gained from the program.  Parent volunteers (ArtGuides) work directly with the teacher to schedule the day and time for the lesson. 

Art Vistas has prepared lesson plans for each class along with instructions for the project being presented.  From start to finish, the ArtGuide is in the classroom about 60 to 90 minutes (most of which is spent supervising the students doing the art project). Grades K through 5 undertake 6 lessons, which is 1/month from October to April. TK will have 3 lessons. April is a make-up month for any lessons you haven’t been able to get to during the year. In May we join the Open House for the school and hold an Art Vistas Open House night where we display 1 piece of the best artwork from each child.