The Potential for Learning Through the Visual Arts

"Voice' can be defined as the articualtion and sharing of one's world, one's experiences, and one's vision." (Boutte,2002)  Art within the adult world is often created as a meanigful response to a personal or cultural experience.  However, it is not unusual for student artmaking to be primarily the fulfillment of some type of assignment developed by a teacher.  Authentic opportunities that encourage students to delve within the exploration and inquiry of real life experiences will ultimately call forth art work that promotes and demonstrates real life academic pursuits.  Through this process students will not only accumulate necessary information and skills but also produce tangible end products that are relevant to the students' lives and couched within real world connections.