Glitter Portraits
The glitter portrait project was inspired by the art of Mickalene Thomas, whose bold and colorful, rhinestone encrusted paintings are a commentary on definitions of beauty, race, and gender in popular culture. It is a 6 week art integration unit designed to be taught in a school setting. It can also be used in afterschool enrichment clubs or the project is able to be a condensed into a weekend workshop.
The residency incorporates 21st Century skills such as communication, creativity & innovation, critical thinking & problem solving, collaboration & teamwork, and social and cross cultural skills. These important elements make this a positive self confidence building learning experience that when displayed, becomes a portrait of the community as a whole.
The project’s first inception was in 2011, while I had the unique opportunity to teach for the Corcoran Museum of Art’s ArtReach program located at the Town Hall Education, Arts, and Recreation Campus (THEARC) in Washington, D.C. The project was a hit with all ages from 7 to 18 years old and even engaged parents and other family members in the portrait making excitement. The project grew from a class of 15 students and their families, to include all of the museum staff at the Corcoran as well as the entire community of employees at THEARC; administrators, custodians, teachers, and even security staff participated in the glitter portrait project. The entire collection was saved and displayed in the ArtReach anniversary exhibit at the Corcoran Museum of Art in 2012.
Since then the project has been adapted by members of the ArtReach community and also by myself as a teaching artist as I introduce the project to more communities outside of the art museum world.
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Contact me for information about bringing the glitter portrait project to your school community!
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