Creative Courses: Portraits of Diversity - Celebrating Everyday Heroes

IBDP Visual Arts: Portraits of Diversity - Celebrating Everyday Heroes

IBDP Visual Arts - By Ms. Mila Vasconcelos

As an Visual Arts teacher, one of my goals is to create meaningful connections between art and the community. The "Portraits of Diversity" project is a perfect example of this approach, blending the study of artistic styles with real-world appreciation for the people who impact our daily lives. For this project, my students studied the style of Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra and applied his colorful, geometric pop art techniques to create portraits of staff members and teachers—the heroes of our school community.

Project Overview

This project was inspired by the Framework for High-Quality Project-Based Learning, emphasizing creativity, inclusivity, and community engagement. The driving question for the project was:

"How can we use art to celebrate diversity and honor the everyday heroes within our school?"

Key Components of the Lesson Plan

Here is a summarized version of the project framework:

• Objective: 

  Students will create portraits inspired by Eduardo Kobra’s pop art style, celebrating the contributions of teachers and staff who make a difference in their daily lives.

• Materials Needed: 

  High-quality photos of the chosen subjects, art supplies (colored pencils, markers, sketch pads), and access to research tools for exploring Kobra’s techniques and themes.

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

• Procedure:

  1. Phase 1 - Investigate and Connect: 

     Students research the work of Eduardo Kobra and discuss the importance of diversity and inclusivity. They select a staff member or teacher to honor and gather reference materials, including photographs and personal stories.

  2. Phase 2 - Create and Reflect: 

     Students design and create their portraits using vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and symbolic elements related to their subjects’ personalities and contributions. They write artist statements explaining their artistic choices and how they reflect the subject’s impact.

  3. Phase 3 - Showcase and Share: 

     The finished portraits are displayed in a gallery-style exhibition at the school, accompanied by the artist statements. Students present their work, sharing the stories behind their chosen subjects and their creative process.

     
     
     

     

     
     
     

• Assessment: Students are evaluated on their research, artistic execution, and the clarity of their artist statements.

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Benefits of the Project:

The "Portraits of Diversity" project fosters a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusivity while encouraging students to explore their creative potential. By celebrating the everyday heroes within their community, students develop empathy, cultural awareness, and a greater appreciation for the people who support and inspire them.

Reflection

This project highlighted the transformative power of art in building connections and fostering a sense of belonging. Seeing the students’ enthusiasm as they interviewed and honored their subjects was truly inspiring. The vibrant portraits not only showcased the students’ artistic growth but also celebrated the unique stories and contributions of our school’s staff and teachers. The exhibition became a heartfelt tribute to the heroes of our community.

The "Portraits of Diversity" project exemplifies how art can be a powerful tool for storytelling and community building. Merging vibrant artistic styles with meaningful themes, students created work that resonated deeply with their audience.

Stay tuned for more innovative projects and reflections from my Visual Arts classroom!

Ms. Mila Vasconcelos