Engaging Art History Presentations

Where

Contact: Jill Sanford, Owner, jill@artforyourmind.com

Take a Visual Journey...

Art For Your Mind is an engaging, educational, art observation

The hour just flew by. I never would have thought I could get

so much out of looking at art."

Creative Thinking Through Art Observation

      Art For Your Mind presentations have become a favorite in many communities throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  Below are links to several articles showcasing the impact and popularity of the programs.

• The Patriot Leger: Art History Road Show Makes Masters Fun
  
• WBZ Radio: If you want to learn about art history, ask Jill Sanford
  
• The Wanderer: Art Forms a Window to the Mind
  

into the world of art observation. Review the basics of line, color, form, texture, and composition, then apply your knowledge to specially selected art images displayed in vibrant, digital clarity. This lighthearted approach ensures a non-threatening environment to openly react to what you see. You'll be amazed at how much you'll get out of looking at art with close, guided observation.

experience designed to broaden the minds of its participants.

Art For Your Mind is a selection of engaging presentations. Each program combines Art History and Art Appreciation into one hour of active observation.  Participants are guided through a back-to-basics, yet thorough approach to interpreting fine art images with regard to the time, place, culture and circumstances they come from - combined with an eye-opening examination of both the subtle and bold creative choices the artist has made. Each program is customized to fit a specific age-group, occupation, grade-level, or area of interest.   Visit our Why page to understand the benefits of these presentations.

If pure enjoyment and interest is not enough of a reason to observe fine art, there is compelling scientific evidence that looking closely at art created by others is just as valuable to the brain as creating art yourself.  See the link: "How Engaging With Art Affects the Human Brain"  from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  Additionally, on our Why Look at Art  page you'll find links to articles, studies and books about arts in education, creativity in business, neuroaesthetics, and more.  Author Karin Evans, in her article "Arts and Smarts",  quotes Elliot Eisner, an emeritus professor of art and education at Stanford University as he emphasized the subtle, but important ways the arts can enhance thinking, such as the use of metaphor, or the role of imagination. "These are outcomes that are useful", says Eisner, "not only in the arts, but in business and other activities where good thinking is employed."

      To find an Art For Your Mind presentation in your area, or for help with selecting and scheduling an Art For Your Mind  presentation for your own group, school, workplace or community organization visit our Where page.   From K-12 students, to educated professionals, to active seniors - Art For Your Mind  is a mind-opening experience for every participant.  No prior art knowledge is required - yet artists and those familiar with art also find the presentations to be a fresh, new approach to looking, and an inspiration for renewed creativity. 

How to schedule

What is it?

       Presentations are scheduled separately and each 60-minute program stands on its own.  Most often presentations are scheduled on a continuing basis monthly or bi-monthly at the client's request, however, no long-standing contract is required. Clients chose program intervals which work for them.   Some presentations can be formed into series, such as the Early American Programs, or the Ancient Cultures.  On our Choices page you'll find a large selection of Art For Your Mind  program topics to choose from - or we're happy to make suggestions.  Contact information is on the Where page.

Praise for Art For Your Mind

There's new and exciting research being done that points to strong links between arts education and cognitive development. Multiple regions in both the analytical and conceptual (left and right) sides of the human brain are actively engaged when taking in a painting, drawing or sculpture.  The Art For Your Mind  experience challenges and "exercises" the brain in this way encouraging creative thinking.

The rewards of challenging your mind with art observation are many, and are often surprising.  Everyone benefits from looking at art. On ourWho page you'll see that regardless of age, occupation or background, artist or non-artist, interpreting visual stories from a variety of places, times, circumstances and cultures is eye-opening, inspiring and fun!