EDUCATOR e-NEWS

You won’t want your students to miss the exhibition Monet’s Water Lilies coming to SLAM October 2, 2011–January 22, 2012. For the first time in 30 years, the 42-foot-long triptych will be on view in its entirety in St. Louis.

In addition to the three panels of water lilies, the exhibition will include archival photographs of the artist and his garden, four additional paintings of wisteria and water lilies on loan to the Museum, and rarely seen film footage of Monet painting outdoors.

To ensure that your students can experience and be inspired by Monet’s Water Lilies the Museum will be offering special school tours at 9:00am on selected dates for groups that reserve in advance. Details will be sent to you very soon!

Last fall, teachers from two schools got together to explore using art to develop leadership qualities in middle school artists. Museum Teacher Advisory Group members Jill Welsh from Gateway Academy of Chesterfield and Rochelle Bower from Selvidge Middle School led students in a collaborative studio workshop on two consecutive Saturdays.

Students were introduced to the work of Claude Monet and challenged to create a mural-sized landscape triptych. Inspired by Monet’s paintings of his garden, the group apportioned canvas, mixed paint and executed their collective vision. Listening, visualization, speaking, and team-building were emphasized as students worked together.

This project is one of many that will accompany a new Monet curriculum poster being developed by members of the Museum’s Teacher Advisory Group. Look for the poster and accompanying teacher and student programs this fall in conjunction with the exhibition Monet’s Water Lilies.

Click here to learn more and see a lesson plan for the project.

Restoring an American Treasure: The Panorama of the Monumental Grandeur of the Mississippi Valley

Main Exhibition Galleries, June 12–August 21, 2011

This summer, visitors to the Saint Louis Art Museum can watch as a team working under Museum paintings conservator Paul Haner restores the largest painting in the Museum’s collection — a massive 348-foot panorama of the Mississippi Valley painted by John J. Egan.

Executed ca. 1850, long before the advent of movies, the dramatic Panorama was designed to be wound on rollers to display a moving series of 25 different scenes. As audiences watched, the wonders of the Mississippi Valley were revealed offering the illusion of travel along the great river.

Too fragile from heavy use to be shown this way any longer, Panorama has languished in storage for most of the last century. Now visitors can watch as this treasure is conserved and restored so that it can be viewed as a permanent display in the galleries of the Museum.

The Saint Louis Art Museum is proud to announce that Nicole Post has been awarded the 2011 Master Teacher Summer Fellowship.

Nicole currently teaches at The Soulard School in the City of St. Louis, where she serves as elementary teacher and special education consultant. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with an emphasis on environmental studies, both from Webster University.

Nicole has a wide range of experiences, skills, and talents that will make her an excellent Master Teacher Fellow, and the Museum is thrilled to have her join its educational team this summer. Watch for updates on Nicole’s progress in future editions of Educator e-News.

Lois Jacobs, Art Teacher at Valley Park Elementary School, recently brought her fifth grade classes to SLAM to experience art under the guidance of Museum docents.

Lois writes:

Our entire Valley Park Elementary School fifth grade’s visit to the Saint Louis Art Museum was truly the favorite field trip of this year. The students were able to see first hand works of art studied in their classrooms and during art classes. They responded in writing and drawing, making the experience very personal. Docents guided the groups through varying thought processes and encouraged them to respond to the art.

Here is what some of our fifth grade students had to say about their Museum visit:

To me the Art Museum was a great opportunity to learn about art, and we also had a tour guide who made it like a field trip to a new, colorful, and imaginative world. — Fatima

Both Art Museum trips were a great learning experience. When I see the paintings and artifacts, it makes me wonder what inspired those artists to create the artwork. Looking at the pictures tell a story that each and every person creates themselves. I love the Art Museum and always will. — Gracie

When I went to the Art Museum, I felt full hearted and related while learning, drawing, and being with my friends. It was a great experience that I shared with my family. I wish to go again soon. — Tyson

Monet’s Water Lilies image and exhibition credits

Claude Monet. French, 1840–1926; Water Lilies, c.1915–26; oil on canvas; 78 3/4 x 167 3/4 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, The Steinberg Charitable Fund 134:1956

Monet’s Water Lilies is organized by the Saint Louis Art Museum, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and The Cleveland Museum of Art. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Additional support has been provided by Emerson. Financial assistance has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Restoring an American Treasure image and exhibition credits

John J. Egan, American (born Ireland), 1810–1882, Portsmouth Aboriginal Group in a Storm, scene four from Panorama of the Monumental Grandeur of the Mississippi Valley, c.1850; distemper on cotton muslin; Saint Louis Art Museum, Eliza McMillan Trust 34:1953

This restoration project is made possible through the support of U.S. Representative William “Lacy” Clay and U.S. Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Exhibition support has been provided by Enterprise Holdings Foundation. Financial assistance has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. Free admission to this exhibition has been provided by PNC Arts Alive.

Educator e-News is made possible by a generous gift from the Aronson Foundation

Public Programs and Education Group, Saint Louis Art Museum

Banner photo by Robert Pettus

© 2011 Saint Louis Art Museum