Michael Figueroa • Tim Roloff

Experiencing Art Galleries

 

                  Art gallery field trips are incredibly important and beneficial when it comes to educating students about art.  We are lucky to be close to the city of Chicago where there is an abundance of various art galleries that display all kinds of amazing art. Being such a culturally and socially diverse city, a wide range of social issues are represented and acknowledged by a vast variety of artists work. The atmosphere of an art gallery, as well as being able to view art up close can give students an experience like none other. They will be able to really feel like an important member of society by viewing, interpreting and criticizing art. Viewing all types of art up close can also expand creativity and inspiration because the students are able to see first-hand the materials used, understand the process of how art is made, and interpret the conceptual ideas. Physically seeing the brush strokes in a painting or the type of wood used for a sculpture provides the students with new art knowledge that cannot necessarily been seen or experienced by viewing art in a textbook or computer screen.

 

                  The Ann Nathan Gallery in Chicago is one of many art galleries that currently exhibit art regularly throughout the year. It is located on Superior Avenue and is surrounded by several other art galleries that show all different genres of art. It displays a wide variety of contemporary art that focuses on numerous issues such as different cultures, social justice, race, gender and many more.  The friendly staff is very welcoming to public viewers and are happy to answer any questions about the gallery as well as the art being exhibited. The Ann Nathan Gallery has been exhibiting all types of art for over thirty years and is constantly exhibiting famous and emerging artists work. Since this gallery does provide art viewers with an array of contemporary artwork, some of the art may be considered inappropriate for K-12 students. Currently the work by the contemporary realism artist, Bruno Surdo is being shown at the Ann Nathan Gallery. Although his work is incredibly skillful and interesting to view, it also contains nudity which may be unsuitable for young students. However, this work is only exhibited for several months at a time at the Ann Nathan Gallery and is constantly changing to provide artwork of all types of concepts and art mediums from around the world that are appropriate for all ages.

 

                  Overall, art galleries such as the Ann Nathan Gallery in Chicago are incredibly beneficial for students and can provide an experience that heavily influences inspiration and creativity. Living in this part of the United States, we are very fortunate to be close to Chicago because of its cultural and social diversity which is depicted by art displayed in galleries. Thus emphasizing the importance of allowing students to visit these wonderful places through organized school field trips.