What You'll Need: GAB 01/GAK 240: Jesus, print outs of famous paintings, art supplies.
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Quote: "The world is better for the arts and righteous artists in it. In the quest to achieve greatness in artistic pursuits—whether in painting, dance, music, drama, film, sculpture, or the written word—we should always seek first to achieve God’s purposes." M. Russell Ballard
Opening Song: Your Choice
APPRECIATING OTHERS' ART
The Prophet of our church, Thomas S. Monson has an office where he works. Over the years he has had many offices where he worked. They have all looked different, but one thing was always the same. He always had a picture of his favorite painting of Jesus Christ. And whenever he changes to a new office he would take the painting with him and hang it on his wall.
- Why do you think President Monson kept this painting on his wall wherever he goes?
Pres. Monson said, “I love that painting. I feel strength in having it near me. Look at the kindness in those eyes. Look at the warmth of expression. When facing difficult situations, I often look at it and ask myself, ‘What would He do?’ Then I have tried to respond accordingly.”
Looking at paintings, drawings, sculptures and other art can make us feel wonderful things. Art can make us want to be better. It can remind of us of something good in our lives. It can touch our hearts and our spirits. Sometimes it can lift our hearts when we are sad.
When you see artwork made by others whatever you see or feel is right! Art can mean different things to everybody. There is no wrong way or right way to understand art. Sometimes you may love a painting that someone else doesn't like. That's okay. Art is for everybody.
(show your family these paintings one at a time, asking the following questions for each picture)
- What do you think of or feel when you see this painting?
- What do you LIKE about this painting?
- What DON'T you like about this painting?
- Would you ever hang this painting on your wall?
|Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh|
|Woman in a Hairnet by Pablo Picasso.|
|American Gothic by Grant Wood|
|Woman with a Parasol by Claude Monet|
|Christ at 33 by Heinrich Hofmann|
When we make art it can make us feel good. Creating drawings, paintings and other forms of art can help us express our feelings. It can help us say what we are thinking and feeling. It exercises our minds and when we make something that is beautiful, it makes us feel proud of ourselves.
You might like one kind more than the others or all of them the same.
- What kind of art do you like to create? Do you like to paint, draw, make sculptures, build towers, make collages, fold paper?
- Are there any other kinds of art you can think of?
Bear your testimony about the beauty that can be seen and experienced through art, both in partaking and in creating. Share some of your favorite paintings and drawings with your family. Tell them what it makes you feel and why you love it. Share a time when beautiful art made you feel closer to Heavenly Father or a sense of reverence.
(For tips on sharing your testimony please click here.)
Practice Song: If you are teaching your family the OCTOBER Song of the Month, go over the words and music with your family.
Activity: Choose from the following activities as they best suit your family.
CREATE - Participate in a new art medium your family usually does not try. Finger painting, sculpture (using salt dough or play-doh), drawing eachother's portraits, make a small pot out of clay, paper mache, collage, stamping, etc.
VISIT - Make arrangements to visit a local art museum. Talk to children first about 'museum manners' and ask them to write down and share their favorite pieces.
LEARN - Learn about an artist. Study their life and look at their artwork. You may choose to use this small biography of Minerva Teichert, an LDS artist, found in the January 2010 issue of The Friend. CLICK HERE to be directed to the page.