Arts Experience Guidelines For Visual Art
Write a thoughtful essay, 2-3 full pages in length, double spaced using 12 point font and 1” margins on all
sides. Your paper should be clearly organized, largely free of grammatical and syntactical errors, and
supported by numerous specific examples from the exhibit you attended. Use the following guidelines to
organize and develop your Arts Experience Essay. You MUST provide proof of attendance in the form of a
receipt, ticket, program book, pictures of you at the event in the lobby, by the stage, next to a work of art,
getting a performer’s autograph, etc.
IntroductionYour opening paragraph should include the name and location of the gallery, the title and date of
the exhibit, the artist’s full name and the title of each work you chose to evaluate.Create a thesis and support
it using specific examples from the exhibit.
Body Paragraphs: In the body paragraphs, discuss the areas below that best fit the play that you see. Use
each category for at LEAST THREE WORKS OF ART included in the exhibit.
Category I: Formal QualitiesDiscuss what you like and dislike about each work. In your evaluation, consider:
line, shape, color, texture, space, mass/volume, depth and composition
Category II: Subject MatterDiscuss what the work of art represents. Remember, not all works of art have
subject matter; many buildings, paintings, sculptures, and other art objects include no recognizable imagery but
feature only lines, colors, masses, volumes and other formal elements. However, all works or art have
meaning, because they seek to convey feelings, communicate ideas or affirm the beliefs of their makers.
Category III: Medium (The material or materials from which a work of art is made.)Two-dimensional mediums
include painting, drawing, prints and photography. Three-dimensional mediums are sculpture and architecture.
Technique is the process used to make the work.
Today, literally anything can be used to make a work of art, including not only traditional materials like paint, ink
and stone, but also food, trash, earth, found objects, prefabricated objects and consumer products.
Category IV: YOUR Opinion. I want to know what you think of the works and artists you are reviewing. Don’t be
afraid to say you don’t like an artist’s work. ConnectionsWhat insights did you gain about the time in history or
mythology depicted in the exhibit? Do any of the values or beliefs connect to the values and beliefs of the
artists we have studied in this course? How does that explain/connect to human culture — dress, speech,
values? Give specific examples from the text. Cultures & Values A survey of humanities 8th edition
Cunningham, Reich, Fichner-Rathus
Conclusion: Briefly summarize your main ideas and end with a thoughtful insight that pulls the essay together.