The Driskell Center

David C. Driskell admiring artwork at the David C. Driskell Center (2020)

Looking at Art, Step 2: Describing

A crowd studying the artwork at the David C. Driskell Center Romare Bearden exhibition (2020)

Looking at Art, Step 4: Mood

A crowd examining art at the David C. Driskell Center (2019)

Looking at Art, Step 3: Symbols

Learning about and looking at art at the David C. Driskell Center (2020)

Looking at Art, Step 5: Analyzing

Looking at art at the David C. Driskell Center (2020)

Looking at Art, Step 1: The Basics

How do people look at art and understand its meaning? What is abstract art, and how does anyone know what it means? This resource kit guides students through a step-by-step process for understanding representational artwork. Students will practice observing and analyzing artwork through various models and exercises, including poetry analysis. 
All of the artwork featured in this Resource Kit is by David C. Driskell, a prominent African American artist of the 20th and 21st century.

Instructions and details about the resource kit are available here: 

Educator Resource, How to Use the Looking at Art Resource Kit.pdf

All student materials may be found on the modules as well. 

Resource, Symbolism, Analyzing Poetry.pdf

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Looking at Art

Looking at Art, Step 1: The Basics

ACTIVITY 1

Looking at Art, Step 2: Describing

ACTIVITY 2

Looking at Art, Step 3: Symbols

ACTIVITY 3

Looking at Art, Step 4: Mood

ACTIVITY 4

Looking at Art, Step 5: Analyzing

ACTIVITY 5