Grades 7/8: A Stroke of Innovation

Before stepping into the virtual studio, students studied a range of artistic styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Surrealism, Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and Minimalism. As they analyzed well-known works, students examined brushstrokes, composition, color, and technique to determine how artistic style shapes meaning and experience.

Partnering with Charles C. Gates Director of Innovative Learning Mr. Martin Twarogowski, Mrs. Baldwin introduced virtual reality as a tool for artistic exploration. Students first familiarized themselves with the technology before applying their understanding of style in an immersive environment.

Using VR, students built upon classic paintings by extending backgrounds, adding new elements, and recreating brushstrokes reflective of each work’s original style. As they painted within the virtual space, their classmates could view the evolving artwork projected onto a screen, allowing the class to observe process and technique in real time.

Now, students are building on that experience by selecting one of the studied styles and painting a portrait in that tradition. Applying what they learned through analysis and experimentation, they are translating the distinctive features of each style into original works of their own.

Through the lesson and subsequent project, students connected art history, critical analysis, and emerging technology while deepening their understanding of artistic style.