Pre and Post field trip materials can be found here.

The Living Arts and Science Center Presents
Art Discovery field trip information for the exhibition
Undivided Attention:
Three Distinct Voices in Contemporary Fiber
August 14 – October 5
Gallery Hop Reception: September 20, 5-8pm
Jennifer Reis, Who Came First Ann Coddington-Rast, Mother Memory Experience three distinct and different voices from the world of contemporary fiber art with these nationally recognized artists that use stitching, quilting, embroidery, and twining to produce stunning works of self expression. This exhibition features the compelling and thought provoking art of Ann Coddington‐Rast, Jennifer Reis, and Elizabeth Mesa‐Gaido. Through this Discovery, students will become familiar with different types of fiber art, experience a historical overview of works from different cultures (Navajo blankets, West African baskets, Appalachian and sweetgrass baskets), learn basic weaving techniques, and view spellbinding art created by contemporary fiber artists. Exhibition Artists: Eastern Illinois University Associate Professor Ann Coddington‐Rast explores the human condition in her mixed media sculptural groupings by combining natural materials with forms created using the traditional basketry technique of twining. Morehead State University Assistant Professor Jennifer Reis investigates personal and cultural issues with her hand‐worked embellished textile assemblages. Elizabeth Mesa‐
Gaido, also a Professor of Art at Morehead State University, seeks to find deeper meaning as she explores her own cultural identity as a Cuban‐American with her colorful political banners. Elizabeth Mesa-Gaido, Then & Now: Lightbulb
Art Discovery field trip overview: As part of this Art Discovery field trip, students will experience a visual presentation about the exhibition Undivided Attention: Three Distinct Voices in Contemporary Fiber along with an accompanying worksheet and an art activity based on the exhibition. During the exhibition component of this Art Discovery, students will learn about the different types of fiber art produced, experience a brief historical overview, exposure to fiber art from different cultures (Navajo blankets, West African baskets, Appalachian and sweetgrass baskets), as well as the opportunity to view stunning works of art by contemporary artists that use fiber materials to produce their art. During the art activity component, students will create a paper weaving exploring basic elements of art (line, shape, form, texture, color) and principles of design (emphasis, pattern, balance, contrast) while they are exposed to basic weaving techniques used to create a variety of utilitarian wares and works of self expression. KY Core Concepts Covered The following KY Core Concepts are covered in this Art Discovery field trip: Arts and Humanities Core: AH‐P‐1AA‐U‐3 AH‐P‐HA‐U‐2, AH‐4‐HA‐U‐2, AH‐5‐HA‐U‐2, AH‐6‐HA‐U‐2 AH‐P‐1AA‐U‐1, AH‐4‐1AA‐U‐1, AH‐5‐1AA‐U‐1, AH‐6‐1AA‐U‐1 AH‐P‐1AA‐S‐1, AH‐4‐1AA‐S‐1, AH‐5‐1AA‐S‐1 AH‐P‐HA‐S‐DT1, AH‐4‐HA‐S‐DT1, AH‐5‐HA‐S‐DT1 Social Studies Core: SS‐E‐2.1.2, SS‐E‐5.1.2 Pre‐field trip activities and ideas: Below you will find links and a brief description for a handful of short youtube videos about Navajo blankets, African baskets, and the origins and traditions sweetgrass basketry. Use these videos to prep your students before their Art Discovery field trip. It is recommended to preview all videos to make sure that they are appropriate for students. Also, you can have your student write a reflection about the information presented in these short documentaries. Navajo Rug Weaving in Monument Valley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeAlIgHhPAE 3:04 video length This is a great overview of the traditions of Navajo weaving from the harvesting of the sheep’s wool, through the processing of the wool for weaving, and the crafting of the blankets. African Basketry Traditions and History Exhibition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ‐d4Ruug9w 5:12 video length An exhibition traces the history of basket weaving from Africa to the United States. Introduction to Kente Weaving in Ghana http://www.lasclex.org/wordpress/wp‐
content/uploads/2013/08/OfrendaBanner_CommunityArtProject.pdf 6:08 video length A brief video about the history and techniques used to produce Kente weavings in Ghana. Survival of Sweetgrass (Preliminary: Part 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AppZC0FDhDI&list=PL126D431B63
7E3295 8:01 video length This video gives the history of sweetgrass basketry from its origins in Africa to the rice fields of the southern United States. The last two minutes of this video is source credit information. Survival of Sweetgrass (Preliminary: Part 2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF1VC‐
TnCc4&list=PL126D431B637E3295 6:38 video length This video gives the history of sweetgrass basketry from its origins in Africa to the rice fields of the southern United States. In this video, the loss of wild grasses used to produce sweetgrass baskets is covered. The last two minutes of this video is source credit information. Sweetgrass Basket maker Mary Jackson explains how rice is separated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBeYTcTcju0 3:18 video length Basket maker Mary Jackson explains how rice is separated from the chafe using a "Fanner" basket and talks about her "Unfinished" basket. Artist Mary Jackson is regarded as one of the top practitioners in the field of sweetgrass basketry. She is a past recipient of a MacArthur Fellows award and a NEA National Heritage award. This video is an excerpt from the PBS series Craft in America. Sweetgrass Basket maker Mary Jackson gives a tour of the baskets in her studio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQqO‐3UgVC4 5:04 video length Basket maker Mary Jackson takes us on a tour of the baskets in her studio—many of which are traditional designs that have been passed down for 300 years. She is a past recipient of a MacArthur Fellows award and a NEA National Heritage award. This video is an excerpt from the PBS series Craft in America. Post‐field trip activities and ideas: After returning to the classroom, have your students write a reflection about their experience during their Art Discovery field trip. Some possible questions that you could ask include the following: What is art? What is an art exhibition? What is fiber art? The artists exhibiting in the exhibition Undivided Attention: Three Distinct Voices in Contemporary Fiber used a variety of techniques to make their work. This includes the techniques of weaving/twining, quilting/embroidery/beadwork, and textile/dyeing/stitching. Please match up the artist to the techniques they used to make their art. Ann Coddington‐Rast • Textile/Dyeing/ Stitching Jennifer Reis • Weaving/Twining • Quilting/Embroidery
/Beadwork Elizabeth Mesa‐Gaido Fiber art is one of the first and oldest art forms dating back to 26,000 years ago. It developed out of the necessities for survival. Connect the fiber art with the survival necessity. • Quilts and blankets to provide warmth, textiles to cover the home Food • Baskets for gathering and storing food Clothing Shelter • Garments to adorn or cover the body for warmth and protection Navajo Blankets are made out of what fiber material? Explain the connection between African basketry and sweetgrass basketry. Select one of the following contemporary fiber artists and discuss why you like that artist’s work. Carol Eckert, Cotton over wire Lissa Hunter, September Song, Waxed linen Amy Gross, Preoccupation, Fabric, Beads, Embroidery, Oil on Canvas Stephanie Metz, Leaping Jackrabbit, Felted Wool Jolie Bird, Tea for One, Cotton Thread