Snowmen Gothic
by Shelley Schoby, K-2 Art Specialist
This week in art,
first grade students were introduced to the regional artist Grant
Wood. Mr. Wood grew up on a farm in Eastern Iowa in the early
1900’s. In 1920, Grant traveled to Europe to study art. While in
Europe, Grant Wood viewed a style of architecture called Gothic
which is from the Middle Ages. Upon his return to Iowa Grant Wood
noticed a farm house with an arched-shaped Gothic styled window.
Grant liked the contrast between the European Gothic window and the
American farmhouse. After several sketches of the house, Grant Wood
looked for just the right people to go with it. He thought his
family dentist and his sister, Nan, would be perfect for the farmer
and his daughter. This work of art was called American Gothic.
First grade artists drew their Winter interpretation of American
Gothic. Please note that many first grade students have placed the
facial features of their snow people in the correct location. This
is just the beginning of first grades study of
portraiture.
