Camille Lopez

ART 133
Professor Ward
Unit Paper 1
The foundation of an individuals artistic expression, is the Big Idea, which explores

many elements of expression and thought process. The Big Idea and meaning making in artistic

expression, can be examined by the 21st art education approach. Author Sydney R. Walker

(2001), Teaching meaning in Artmaking, defines the similarities between Big Ideas and Themes.

Walker describes, An artists theme may or may not be the same thing as his or her big idea

(Walker, 2001, p. 2). Identity, is accepting of ones self and with the approach of art education of

Big Idea and making meaning, creates unlimited interpretation for the individual. Identity has

abundant variations of presentation through an artists work. Mollard (2003) depicts that, by

selecting a big idea with personal relevance is a key factor in the efficacy of the big idea for the

artmaking process (Mollard, 2003 as cited in Walker, 2001, p. 8). Making meaning, is the

bridge between Big Ideas and Identity. Making meaning in art is infrastructure of an artists

composure and purpose.

The concepts of teaching 21st century art standards, have many components that include

creativity, self-expression and modern cultural influence. As a future educator for children with

special needs of the grade level four, I would introduce the key context of Identity and the 21st

art education approach of Big Ideas and making meaning. The educational objective for my

future student population, would be to; challenge critical thinking, through creating their own

personal Big Ideas. Then I would create a lesson plan based upon Big Idea and meaning making

and relate it to what we created in class such as a self-portrait, yet have the students draw a self-
portrait. I believe this lesson is fun and interactive as well as it will create a foundation of

recognition as a teacher to get to know the students as well as their learning abilities.
 References

Walker S. R. (2001). Teaching meaning in Artmaking: Art education in practice series (p. 2-8).

Worcester, MA: Davis Publications.