VISUAL ARTS MAJORS GALLERY TRIP FORM
This form must be completely filled out and legible to receive credit.
Middle School: two reviews required per semester
High School; three reviews plus one interview required per semester
Name: _________________________________________ Grade: _______________
Semester Class: _________________________ Teacher: _______________________
Date of gallery visit: ____________________________
Name and Address of Gallery or Museum:
Contact person (print name):
Signature of gallery representative:
Name of Show (if there is one):
Name of Featured Artist(s)
Approximate number of pieces viewed:
General description of all work viewed (subject matters, style, etc.)
Specific artist for this review:
Title of Piece:
Media:
Size (list height first):
INSTRUCTIONS FOR WRITTEN REVIEW:
Pick a piece that has meaning or interest to you!
Use the 4-step Critique Process on the back of this form to guide you.
Take extensive notes (or write the review) while you are viewing the artwork. Do not rely on your memory of the piece later at home.
Your review must be written in clear prose form and be at least one and one half pages, TYPED!
Demonstrate knowledge of art vocabulary when discussing your selected piece.
Late reviews will be penalized in grading.
QUESTIONS AND TOPICS FOR YOUR REVIEW
Use these prompts where appropriate for the work you are viewing. Not all questions will relate to all art pieces. Do not write each these questions in your review.
Step 1 (Describe)
Start with general statements about what kind of subject matter you see. (landscape, still life, portrait, genre scene, figurative, religious, historical, animal, abstraction, non-objective etc). Describe things generally, then move to the specific. Use concrete, objective describing words.
Give enough descriptive details so the reader can picture what it looks like in their mind. Describe where each thing is placed in the piece (i.e. left side, top, bottom ¼, etc.). If a figure, describe the pose.
Step 2 (Analyze)
How did the artist make this piece? What media is used and what techniques are used with the media. Is it carved, painted, assembled? If painted, describe the strokes. Not every art element will be a major focus in the piece.
Which art elements are important here? Example: If line plays a major role, describe the type of lines used? If texture is a major element, is it implied or real? How is the paint applied—thick/thin, loose/tight? What special techniques are part of this artist’s style.
What design elements are used in the piece? How did the artist organize his elements? What is emphasized? How has the artist created unity in the piece?
Step 3 Interpret
Based on the things you have observed in steps describing and analyzing, what is the artist trying to show, say or present to us? Don’t make up heavy psychological meanings but use what you see to construct and support reasonable interpretations. Is there a mood or feeling communicated to you through the subject matter and technique? Not every work of art has a heavy psychological meaning but we can read the artist’s interests and sometimes his intent.
Step 4 Evaluate
Why did you select this piece to review? What exactly caught your eye? Does this piece evoke a specific feeling in you and if so, describe it. Based on what you have seen before and know about making art, is the piece technically good? Be sure to support your opinions with specific things you see in the work of art. How does it relate to your work?
Updated 9/07
VA Gallery Trip Form