Students can research three of the artists—many of whom lived in Wisconsin—in the Uncommon Folk: Traditions in American Art exhibition…
Uncommon Folk: Look Into My Eyes
Artists who make portraits create an image in the likeness of a person (or animal)—capturing identifiable features, his or her…
Uncommon Folk: Resources
Internet Resources American Folk Art Museum Folk Art Society of America Folk Life Archive From Windmills to Whirligigs Possum Trot…
Uncommon Folk: Glossary
Assembling: The process of gathering and combining different materials to create a three-dimensional work of art, such as a sculpture. Assembling…
Uncommon Folk: Investigate Traditions
Investigate with your students traditions (ethnic and otherwise) that are celebrated during the run of the feature exhibition. Consider reading…
Uncommon Folk: Culture and Experience
Encourage students to compare the traditions of other ethnicities with their own culture and experience. What customs and rituals are…
Uncommon Folk: Creating Community
A lesson plan involving folk art provides a great opportunity to explore the many aspects of community—and to strengthen school-community…
Uncommon Folk: Exhibition Walkthrough
The unprecedented selection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, textiles, and furniture featured in this exhibition offers unexpected beauty, power, whimsy,…
Thomas Sully: Become Inspired
Using The Woodgatherer by Jules Bastien-Lepage, challenge students to create their own descriptive poem inspired by the painting. Have students:…
Thomas Sully: Practice Looking
Visit the Collections page on the Museum’s website for high-resolution images. Select 2–3 portraits and use discussion questions similar to…
Thomas Sully: Background Information
American painter Thomas Sully (1783–1872) had a lifelong love affair with the theatre. Born into a family of actors, he…
Thomas Sully: Thirty-Second Look
Have students look at the portrait for thirty seconds. Then have them turn away from the image. Conduct a conversation…