Core Skills Analysis
Art
Kevin visited Amy Sherald's exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art and carefully examined each portrait. He noted the distinctive use of muted skin tones contrasted with bright, patterned backgrounds, recognizing how color choices convey personality and cultural identity. By comparing several works, Kevin learned how Sherald blends realism with stylized elements to tell stories about African American subjects. He practiced describing visual details, which strengthened his artistic vocabulary.
History
Kevin explored the historical context of Amy Sherald's career while touring the exhibition. He discovered that Sherald is part of a contemporary movement that celebrates Black experiences and that her portrait of Michelle Obama sparked national conversation. Through museum labels, Kevin learned about the civil‑rights legacy in Baltimore and how artists use portraiture to document social change. He connected the artworks to broader American history, understanding the role of visual art in shaping collective memory.
Tips
To deepen Kevin's learning, encourage him to create his own portrait using a limited color palette inspired by Sherald’s style, then write a short artist’s statement. Pair the exhibition visit with a research project on other African‑American painters of the 20th and 21st centuries, culminating in a classroom gallery walk. Invite Kevin to interview a local artist or family member about personal heritage and represent that story visually. Finally, have him keep a reflective journal that links the visual observations to the historical narratives he uncovered.
Book Recommendations
- Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean‑Michel Basquiat by Jasmin Kachmar: A vibrant biography that introduces middle‑grade readers to a groundbreaking Black artist, highlighting how personal history fuels creative expression.
- The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander: An illustrated poem that celebrates African‑American history and resilience, connecting past struggles to contemporary achievements.
- Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women Who Helped Launch a Space Mission by Margot Lee Shetterly (adapted for young readers): Shows how Black women’s contributions have been pivotal in American history, reinforcing the theme of representation seen in Sherald’s portraits.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.7 – Integrate information from multiple print and visual sources (museum labels, exhibition catalog) to develop a coherent understanding of an artist’s impact.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1 – Cite specific evidence from artworks and historical texts to support claims about cultural significance.
- National Core Arts Standards – VA:Cr2.1a (Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas) and VA:Re7.1a (Analyze visual art using appropriate terminology).
- NCSS Standard 2 – Time, Continuity, and Change: Kevin connected contemporary art to historical movements in African‑American history.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Compare and contrast two Sherald portraits using a Venn diagram (focus on color, background, subject expression).
- Drawing task: Create a self‑portrait with a single skin‑tone palette and a patterned background, then write a caption explaining the artistic choices.