Visual Arts

Woman and child crafting at 4H event

What is this Project About?

Is art your Spark? Do you want to express yourself, be creative, or make an impression? Cutting and pasting, painting, sculpting, drawing, printing, construction with fibers and other materials are all exciting hands-on activities in an Arts Project.

Use a variety of materials. Learn new techniques. Explore your creativity. Art can be a way to share what you think, explore your emotions, find a career, or change the world.

Be yourself. Explore visual arts!

Grow in Your Project

Beginner

  • Explore ways to cut and assemble paper
  • Experiment with line and color
  • Recognize art with expressive qualities
  • Select and mix colors to create a color wheel—learn about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors

Intermediate

  • Create a composition with positive and negative space
  • Recognize and create images that illustrate movement
  • Compare different types of media
  • Experiment with line, shape, color, texture and space

Advanced

  • Experiment with rhythm, proportion, emphasis, balance,
    and unity
  • Understand and apply media techniques and processes
  • Demonstrate understanding of proportion by drawing
  • Understand visual art in relationship to history and culture

Take Your Project Further!

  • Check out books at the library or visit online sources to learn more about techniques, composition, copyright and privacy laws, and the history and future of art
  • Create a portfolio of your best artwork (sketches, techniques and final compositions)
  • Attend art exhibitions at museums and schools
  • Enter your artwork in a local, state or national exhibition
  • Volunteer to create a work of art for your school, church or other organization
  • Is it fair time? Consider taking an exhibit, a piece of your project learning, to the fair for judging and to show what you have learned throughout the year
  • Attend a local art class or workshop
  • Watch another artist at work

Caution Corner

When you create art:

  • Wear appropriate clothing or safety gear for the project or task.
  • Read product packages before starting the project. Follow safety rules with risky materials or tools(for example, glue guns, Exacto knives, fumes/ventilation, etc.).Ask for adult help if you feel unsure.
  • Get permission before using someone’s image, photo, art, or aspects of their culture. Learn the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation. If the art or photo you want to use belongs to someone under age 18, get parent/guardian permission. Credit and acknowledge the person and/or culture when your artwork is completed.

Resources