Education | Visual Arts

Weeksville’s visual art programs give students hands-on creative experiences. Students gain contextual historical information through the artistic expressions of the historical Weeksville time period. Our myriad programs are structured as multi-session residencies for grades 2-12. In addition, each program has a structured literacy component to enhance the learning experience and foster cross-curricular connections. All materials and planning sessions for up to 30 students are included in program fees.

Folk Frames | 2 Sessions, Grades 2-8
Students create beautiful picture frames that showcase their own historical family photos, using period-looking fabrics, beads, natural fibers and other decorative and craft materials that reflect the 19th and early 20th centuries.

• FEE: $500 per class
• SS 1.2 (elem), 1.3
• ELA: E3b
• ARTS 1, 2, 4

Quilt-Making | 16 Sessions, Grades 4-8
This residency highlights the historical significance of quilt making in African American culture. Students learn how to tell personal stories about their families and communities while documenting their lives and experiences through a time-honored tradition.

• FEE: $2,950 per class
• SS 1.4 (elem, intermediate), 1.2, 1.3 (elem), 5.3
• ELA: E3b, E5a
• ARTS 1, 2, 4
• MST 5, 7

Family Crest Shields | 3 Sessions, Grades 2-5
The idea of family is pervasive in examining the lives of those who built historic Weeksville. Students are asked to create symbols of their own family systems and illustrate them in a unique family crest.

• FEE: $625 per class
• SS 1.2, 1.3 (elem), 1.4 (elem, intermediate)
• ELA: E3b
• ARTS 1, 2, 4

Folk-Art Doll Making | 3 Sessions, Grades 3-6
Using both period and contemporary fabrics and simple sewing tools, students fashion dolls reminiscent of the period dolls and toys played with by children of yesteryear.

• FEE: $625 per class
• SS 1.3 (elem), 1.4 (elem, intermediate)
• ELA E3b
• ARTS 1, 2, 4

Felt Quilt Designs | 6 Sessions, Grades 4-8
Inspired by the elaborately designed African American quilts of the early 20th century, students create their own personal quilt designs using beautifully colored felt fabric and layering techniques.

• FEE: $1,100 per class
• SS: 1.2, 1.3 (elem), 1.4 (elem, intermediate), 5.3
• ELA: E3b
• ARTS: 1, 2, 4

Photograms | 3 Sessions, Grades 3-6
Students create images using 19th Century technology. An included short tour of two of the historic houses emphasizes how Weeksville residents used photography to record their lives.

• FEE: $625 per class
• SS: 1.1, 1.2 (elem), 1.4, 5.3 (elem, intermediate), 5.4
• ELA: E1c, E3b (elem), E3e (HS)
• ARTS: 1, 2, 3, 4 ● MST: 4, 6

Thaumatropes | 2 Sessions, Grades 2-5
Optical illusions were the first movies people watched. Participants make their own thaumatrope (or turning marvel), which they then use to examine early images of Weeksville.

• FEE: $500 per class
• SS: 1.3, 1.4, 5.3 (elem, intermediate)
• ELA: E1c, E3d (elem), E3e (HS)
• ARTS: 1, 2, 3
• MST: 4, 6

Carte de Visites | 4 Sessions, Grades 7 - 12
Students learn about the changing community of Weeksville by reproducing the first snap shots or “visiting cards.” These modern carte de visites are inspired by period portraits.

• FEE: $800 per class
• SS: 1.1, 1.2 (elem), 1.4 (elem, intermediate), 3.1 (elem),
  5.3 (elem, intermediate), 5.4
• ELA: E1c, E3b, E1c (MS), E3e (HS)
• ARTS: 1, 2, 3, 4 ● MST: 4, 6