‘My Life So Far / Reality, Myth & Fiction’ University Of Virginia Art Museum Summer Arts Program

May 17, 2006 — The 2006 University of Virginia Art Museum summer arts program offers students an opportunity to explore artistic creations based on their lives. “My Life So Far/ Reality, Myth & Fiction” is the theme of this year’s Summer Arts @ the Ix & the Bridge. Rising fourth- to 12th-grade students will learn how art throughout history has been informed by myth and allegory and apply those concepts to the exploration of visual arts based on the reality of their own lives.

In each of the three sessions guest artists will lead the students in the use of computers, printmaking, photography and painting, as well as one of each of the three optional studios in music, dance and architecture in creating their own stories.

Featured artists are painter Joe Sheridan, photographer Jon-Phillip Sheridan and printmaker John Bylander. These artists will work with the students on specific projects throughout the two-week sessions. In the second session, artist Judy McCloud will take a lead role in determining the visual art component of the session.

Weekly visits to the museum will immerse the students in the exhibitions “Humanism and Enigma: The Art of Honoré Sharrer” and “Art/Not Art” where they will have docent-led tours of the exhibits and hear talks by artists.

Session I

June 19-30

“Why We Create”

Students will explore the museum exhibit “Humanism and Enigma: The Art of Honoré Sharrer,” featuring the work of an artist who embellishes her portraits and paintings with images that come from her imagination. Students will explore the lines that are blurred between truth and fiction.

Session II

July 10-21

“Resolving the Conundrum”

Students will explore the boundaries in appropriating images, which artists Robert Rauschenberg and Marcel Duchamp made popular, and the practice of artists reinventing themselves, such as Madonna and the photographer Cindy Sherman. Students will formulate strategies to navigate between contemporary technologies and traditional modes of creativity.

Session III

July 31-Aug.4

“Advanced Academy”

This one-week session is open to any student who has previously attended Summer Arts and wants to explore in depth an aspect of image-making, such as portrait painting, photography or printmaking, resulting in several portfolio pieces.

Tuition is $350 ($275 for museum members) with application by June 1 and $355 ($295 for museum members) after June 1.

A number of scholarships are available to youth with financial need who are interested in the arts. References are required for scholarship consideration. The form is available or by calling (434) 243-2050.

Summer Arts will culminate in an exhibition of artwork produced by the students. The works will be on display in the U.Va. Art Museum on Aug. 10-17, with a reception on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2 to 5 p.m.

For more information or a registration form, call (434) 243-2050, e-mail or visit.