🎨 Art Gallery Quest
A 6-Week Journey Through the World's Greatest Art Styles
Quest Overview
Each week, Eagles will discover a famous artist or art style, explore big ideas through Socratic discussion, and spend quest time building their art skills — all leading up to a student-curated Art Gallery Exhibition for families on the final day.
Quest Work: Mon–Wed Afternoon (90 min)
🛒 Master Supplies List
Purchase these supplies before the session begins. Quantities listed are approximate for 12–15 Eagles. Check off as you shop!
Paper & Surfaces
- 12×18" white cardstock (2 packs)
- Watercolor paper pads (9×12")
- Construction paper — assorted colors (4 packs)
- Black construction paper (1 pack)
- Canvas boards 8×10" (1 per Eagle, x15)
- Paper plates (large, 30 count)
Paints
- Washable tempera paint set (large)
- Watercolor paint sets (class set)
- Acrylic paint — primary colors + black + white
- Black paint (extra bottle)
- Paint trays / palettes (15)
Brushes & Tools
- Assorted paintbrushes (flat, round, fan)
- Sponge brushes (20)
- Q-tips / cotton swabs (3 boxes)
- Pencils (class set)
- Erasers (class set)
- Rulers (class set)
Drawing Media
- Oil pastels (class set, 12 color min.)
- Markers — bold colors (2 class sets)
- Crayons (2 class sets)
- Colored pencils (class set)
- Black Sharpie markers (fine + ultra-fine)
Collage & Mosaic
- Craft scissors (class set, child-safe)
- School glue sticks (30)
- Liquid school glue (4 bottles)
- Pre-cut colored paper squares (or cut cardstock)
- Tissue paper — assorted colors (2 packs)
- Foam brush for glue (10)
Display & Gallery
- String or twine (for hanging)
- Clothespins / binder clips (20)
- Index cards (for gallery labels)
- Fine-tip black pens (for labels)
- Sticky putty / tape for walls
- Small easels OR foam boards for display
Wassily Kandinsky — Abstract Art & Color Theory
Abstract Expressionism · "Painting is like music for the eyes"
Socratic Discussion Monday–Thursday Morning (25 min each)
- Mon Kandinsky believed colors carry feelings. What color makes YOU feel happy? Scared? Calm? Can a painting say something without any words or recognizable shapes?
- Tue What IS art? Does something have to look like a real object to be called art? Look at Kandinsky's "Squares with Concentric Circles" — what do you see? What do you feel?
- Wed Kandinsky was also a talented musician. He thought music and color were connected. If the color red were a sound, what would it sound like? Can you "hear" a painting?
- Thu Kandinsky was told by art schools that his work wasn't "real art." How should we respond when someone says our creative work isn't good enough? What makes us keep going anyway?
🎨 Quest Work — Monday to Wednesday Afternoon (90 min)
Watch & Learn: Who Was Kandinsky?
Gather Eagles together. Watch the kid-friendly Kandinsky video as a class. Pause to point out his most famous work: "Squares with Concentric Circles." Ask: "What shapes do you see? What colors? What do you feel when you look at it?"
Kandinsky Circles Art Lesson for Kids (YouTube)Color Emotion Exploration
Each Eagle gets a Color Emotion Worksheet (see below). They draw a small swatch of each color and write or draw what emotion that color gives them. Share with a partner. Discuss how different people can feel differently about the same color.
- Columns: Color | Color Swatch | My Emotion | My Partner's Emotion
- Colors to fill in: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Black, White
- Bottom question: "Which color feels the most like YOU? Draw it and explain why."
Start the Project: Trace & Plan Circles
Eagles take a 12×18" white cardstock and use circular objects (cups, lids, bowls) to trace 6–8 overlapping concentric circles across the page. They plan their color choices — which emotion do they want their painting to express? Eagles sketch lightly in pencil which colors go in which ring. This is their plan for Tuesday/Wednesday painting.
Music + Warm-Up
Play classical music (Kandinsky loved it). Ask: "What colors does this music make you think of?" Review their circle plans from Monday. Remind Eagles: Kandinsky painted with FEELING. No wrong colors!
Paint the Concentric Circles
Eagles use watercolors to paint their concentric circles. Encourage them to paint each ring a different color based on their emotion plan. Remind them: leave a tiny white gap between colors to keep them from bleeding together. Play music throughout. Paint the outer backgrounds in black or a dark color at the end if time permits.
Gallery Journal Entry
Eagles begin their Gallery Journal. Write or draw: "What emotion did I put into my painting today? What was hard? What was fun?"
- Page 1 prompt: "The artist I learned about this week is ___ . One interesting thing about them is ___."
- Page 2 prompt: "My painting this week was inspired by ___. I used the colors ___ because ___."
- Page 3: Draw a mini-sketch of their artwork for the week.
Finish Circle Paintings + Add Detail
Eagles complete painting. Add black outlines between circles with a fine Sharpie to make circles pop (like Kandinsky's bold outlines). Add any additional patterns, dots, or lines inside the rings for extra texture. Sign their name on the back.
Gallery Label Writing
Each Eagle creates their first gallery label on an index card: Title of their piece, Artist name (their own!), Medium (watercolor on cardstock), and 1–2 sentences about what emotion they put in their work.
Peer Gallery Walk
Lay all paintings on tables. Eagles walk around, look at classmates' work, and leave one sticky note compliment on 2 different pieces. Share: "What emotion do you SEE in this painting?"
Kandinsky Concentric Circles Watercolor
Colorful watercolor concentric circle paintings on cardstock. Each unique — a visual burst of emotion and color theory.
Aboriginal Australian Art — Dot Painting & Dreamtime
Indigenous Australian Tradition · Stories told in dots
Socratic Discussion Monday–Thursday Morning (25 min each)
- Mon Aboriginal people used dot paintings to tell stories called "Dreamtime" stories — stories about how the world was created. How do YOU tell a story without words? Can a picture tell a whole story by itself?
- Tue Before Europeans arrived, Aboriginal Australians had lived in Australia for over 65,000 years. Their art was one of the oldest art forms on earth. Why is it important to learn about and respect art from different cultures?
- Wed Aboriginal dot paintings use symbols — a circle might mean a waterhole, wavy lines might mean a river. If YOU invented symbols to represent things in your life, what would they look like?
- Thu Some Aboriginal elders said that parts of the dot paintings hide sacred (special, secret) stories inside the patterns. Should some art keep secrets? Is there power in art that not everyone can understand?
🎨 Quest Work — Monday to Wednesday Afternoon (90 min)
Watch & Discuss: Aboriginal Dot Painting
Watch the age-appropriate video introduction to Aboriginal art and dot painting. Show examples of common symbols (circle = waterhole, straight line = path, U-shape = person). Ask: "What would you draw if you had to tell the story of YOUR life in symbols?"
Dot Painting for Kids, Teachers & Parents (YouTube)Symbol Design Worksheet
Eagles design their own set of personal symbols on their worksheet. They choose a subject for their painting: an animal, a place they love, or a story from their own life. They draw a simple outline in pencil on a sheet of black construction paper (12×18").
- Part 1: Traditional symbols reference chart (included — waterhole, path, campfire, person, animal track, water)
- Part 2: Draw 5 of YOUR OWN symbols and label what they mean
- Part 3: "My painting will tell the story of ___. I will use these symbols: ___."
Lightly Sketch the Composition
Using a white oil pastel or chalk, Eagles lightly sketch their animal or design outline on the black paper. Keep it simple — one large central animal or shape with space around it for patterns and dots.
Technique Demo: How to Dot Paint
Demonstrate with Q-tips: dip straight down, lift straight up — do NOT drag or smear. Each dip = one dot. Show how to make patterns: rows of dots, circles of dots, flowing dot lines. Emphasize: patience! Aboriginal artists worked slowly and deliberately.
Fill the Animal Outline with Dots
Eagles use Q-tips and bright acrylic or tempera paints (traditional colors: white, yellow, red, orange, plus any bright colors) to fill in their animal with dot patterns. Encourage concentric dot circles radiating out from a center. The background is filled with dot patterns too. Use different sized dots — fingers or pencil erasers for large dots, Q-tips for medium, toothpicks for tiny.
Finish Dot Paintings
Complete the dot painting, filling all remaining space with rich dot patterns. Make sure the whole black background is covered with colorful dots. Allow to dry completely (use a hair dryer if needed).
Write Your Dreamtime Story
Each Eagle writes a short (3–5 sentence) "Dreamtime" story to accompany their painting. This story explains what their painting means, what symbols they used, and why they chose their animal. This will be read aloud or displayed at the Exhibition.
- "The animal/subject in my painting is ___ because ___."
- "The symbols I used are ___ and they mean ___."
- "The story my painting tells is: ___."
- "I chose these colors because ___."
Gallery Journal + Label
Update Gallery Journal (Week 2 pages). Write gallery label: include title, artist name, medium (acrylic paint, Q-tips on black paper), and one sentence about the story.
Aboriginal Dot Painting on Black Paper
Vibrant dot-painted animals or designs on black paper, each accompanied by a handwritten Dreamtime story. Visually stunning in a gallery setting.
Frida Kahlo — Self-Portraits & Mexican Folk Art
Surrealism & Symbolism · Art as Personal Expression
Socratic Discussion Monday–Thursday Morning (25 min each)
- Mon Frida Kahlo started painting when she was very sick in bed for a whole year after a serious accident. Can art help us feel better when things are hard? Has making something — drawing, building, writing — ever helped YOU feel better?
- Tue Frida Kahlo painted herself in many of her paintings. She once said "I paint myself because I am so often alone, and because I am the subject I know best." Why might an artist choose to paint themselves? What would YOUR self-portrait say about you?
- Wed Frida Kahlo wore bright, traditional Mexican clothes and flowers in her hair to celebrate her culture. How does where you come from shape who you are? How do you celebrate your own identity?
- Thu Frida was told many times that her art wasn't "real art." She kept painting anyway and became one of the most famous artists in history. What does her story teach us about persistence and believing in yourself?
🎨 Quest Work — Monday to Wednesday Afternoon (90 min)
Watch: Frida Kahlo for Kids
Watch the school-friendly Frida Kahlo video. Show examples of her most colorful, child-appropriate self-portraits — especially the flower crowns! Note: preview the video first and discuss any sensitive imagery briefly and matter-of-factly. Focus on her strength, culture, and creativity.
Frida Kahlo for Kids, Teachers & Parents (YouTube)"All About Me" Symbol Planning Sheet
Eagles plan what symbols they'll include around their self-portrait face. Frida used animals, flowers, and objects to represent her feelings and identity. Eagles choose 3–4 things that represent THEM (a pet, a hobby, a favorite food, a sport).
- Outline of a face in the center (pre-printed)
- Around the face: 4 boxes labeled "Symbol 1–4" — draw and label each symbol they'll include
- "What colors will I use for my background? Why?"
- "What will I put in my flower crown?" (list 3–5 things)
Draw the Self-Portrait Base
On 12×18" white cardstock, Eagles draw their self-portrait in the center of the page — a big face, taking up most of the paper. Use pencil first, then bold black marker. Keep it simple and large. Add their hairstyle, eyes, nose, mouth. Leave space at the top for the flower crown and around the face for symbols.
Paint the Face & Background
Eagles use tempera or watercolor paint to fill in their face (skin tones), hair, and background. Frida's backgrounds were often deep greens, bright blues, or warm earth tones. Encourage BOLD, saturated colors — no dull or washed-out backgrounds!
Collage Flower Crown
While the background dries, Eagles cut out flowers from construction paper and tissue paper to create a big, colorful flower crown. Glue flower crown onto the top of the portrait. Add collaged symbols around the portrait border (birds, animals, fruits — cut from colored paper).
Add Final Details & Symbols
Add facial details — eyebrows (Frida's were bold and famous!), eyelashes, earrings. Add the personal symbols from their plan around the portrait using paint, markers, or collage paper. Outline everything in bold black marker to make it pop.
Write Artist Statement
Each Eagle writes a short artist statement to go with their portrait for the gallery.
- "My self-portrait shows ___."
- "I included these symbols: ___ because ___."
- "The colors I chose mean ___."
- "One thing I want visitors to notice in my portrait is ___."
Gallery Journal + Label
Update Gallery Journal (Week 3). Create gallery label. Bold title, artist name, medium (mixed media: paint, collage on cardstock), and one-sentence description.
Frida-Inspired Flower Crown Self-Portrait
Mixed media self-portrait with bold colors, collaged flower crown, and personal symbols — a window into each Eagle's identity and inner world.
Ancient Rome — Mosaic Art & Tesserae
Ancient Art · Telling stories in tiny tiles
Socratic Discussion Monday–Thursday Morning (25 min each)
- Mon Roman mosaics were made over 2,000 years ago and we can STILL see them today in museums and ruins. What makes art last? Is it the material it's made of, the story it tells, or something else?
- Tue Romans put mosaics on floors, walls, and ceilings of homes, temples, and bathhouses. They showed everyday life, myths, and history. If YOU were going to put a mosaic on the floor of your home, what would it show? What would you want people who visited to know about you?
- Wed A mosaic is made of hundreds or even thousands of tiny individual pieces called tesserae. Together they make one big picture. How can many small things working together create something amazing? Where do we see this in life — not just in art?
- Thu Roman mosaic artists were some of the most skilled craftspeople in history. Many were not famous — their names were never recorded. Does an artist need to be famous for their work to matter? Who are the "unsung" artists in our everyday lives?
🎨 Quest Work — Monday to Wednesday Afternoon (90 min)
Watch: Ancient Roman Mosaics for Kids
Watch the mosaic history video. Show photos of real Roman mosaics — especially animal mosaics and the famous "Cave Canem" (Beware of the Dog) mosaic from Pompeii. Discuss: "These were floors people WALKED on! Can you believe these are over 2,000 years old?"
What is a Mosaic? Early Roman Mosaics for Kids (YouTube)Color & Cut Tesserae Squares
Eagles choose 5–6 colors of cardstock or construction paper. They cut strips, then cut the strips into small squares (about ½ inch each) — these are their paper "tesserae." Sort by color into small cups or piles. This requires patience and fine motor skill — encourage and celebrate effort!
Draw the Mosaic Design
On a 9×12" sheet of cardstock (black or dark navy), Eagles draw a simple bold animal or design in pencil — a fish, lion, bird, dolphin, flower. Bold, simple shapes work best. Outline in black marker. Divide the design into color zones and mark lightly which color goes where.
- Pre-printed grid background to help plan the color zones
- "My mosaic design is ___ because ___."
- Color key box: draw a small swatch of each color and label what part it represents
- Roman Mosaic fact strip at the top (3 fun facts for reference)
Technique Demo: Placing Tesserae
Show how Romans left small GAPS between pieces (called grout lines — the black background serves as "grout"). Apply a small amount of glue, place the square, press gently. Do NOT crowd the squares — gaps are part of the look! Start from the center of the design outward.
Glue the Mosaic
Eagles glue their paper tesserae squares onto their design. Start with the main animal/figure, then fill in the background in a contrasting color. Encourage them to think like a Roman artist: steady, careful, one piece at a time. Play Roman-era or classical music in the background!
Finish the Mosaic
Complete the mosaic by filling in the background. The black or dark base shows through between squares as "grout." Allow to dry. If desired, add a border of squares in a contrasting color around the entire edge — just like real Roman mosaics had borders!
Legacy Writing
Eagles answer a short writing prompt: "If your mosaic were found in 2,000 years, what would it tell people about YOU and your time?"
- "I chose the image of ___ for my mosaic because ___."
- "If someone found my mosaic in the year 4025, they would think ___."
- "One thing I want my art to say about the world I live in is ___."
Gallery Journal + Label
Update Gallery Journal (Week 4). Gallery label: title, artist name, medium (paper tesserae mosaic on cardstock), and one sentence: "This mosaic was inspired by Ancient Roman art, which was made more than 2,000 years ago."
Roman Paper Tesserae Mosaic
Bold, colorful paper mosaic panels with a striking Roman aesthetic — intricate, meditative, and visually powerful displayed together in a gallery.
Claude Monet — Impressionism & Painting Nature
French Impressionism · Light, color, and the feeling of a moment
Socratic Discussion Monday–Thursday Morning (25 min each)
- Mon Monet said he wanted to capture the "impression" of light, not a perfectly detailed picture. Critics at first HATED Impressionism — they called it messy and unfinished. Why do people sometimes resist new ideas in art (and in life)? What changed their minds?
- Tue Monet built a beautiful garden with a pond just so he could paint it. He painted his water lilies over 250 times! Why would an artist paint the same thing over and over? Is there value in looking at the same thing many times?
- Wed Late in life, Monet went nearly blind from cataracts, and his paintings became very blurry and loose. He kept painting anyway. What does it mean to love something SO much that you keep doing it even when it becomes very hard?
- Thu Monet and his artist friends (Renoir, Degas, Pissarro) supported each other even when the world rejected their work. Why is community important for artists and creators? Who are the people in YOUR life who encourage your creativity?
🎨 Quest Work — Monday to Wednesday Afternoon (90 min)
Watch: Claude Monet for Kids
Watch the art history video about Monet. Show his Water Lily series — show multiple versions painted in different light. Ask: "What's different about each one? What's the same? What do you notice about his brushstrokes — are they smooth or messy?"
Claude Monet For Kids! | Art History for Kids (YouTube)Observation Walk
Take Eagles outside (even just to the school yard) for 10–15 minutes. Ask: "Look at the sky, the trees, the shadows. What colors do you actually SEE? Is the grass one shade of green or many? Is a shadow just gray or does it have colors in it?" Bring sketchbooks or just look and remember. This is what Monet did — he LOOKED very carefully.
Paint the Pond Water Background
On a 12×18" canvas board or watercolor paper, Eagles paint the pond water. Mix blues and greens loosely with broad strokes. Add dabs of violet, white, and gold to show reflected light. Let the colors blend and blur — this IS the Impressionist technique! Don't blend too much — leave visible brushstrokes. Let dry.
Lily Pad & Flower Demo
Demonstrate using a sponge brush to dab oval lily pads in deep green and teal. Show how to add small pink/white/yellow flower blooms with a small round brush — just a few dabs of color on top of each pad. Show tree/willow reflections added as loose vertical strokes.
Add Lily Pads, Flowers & Atmosphere
Eagles add their lily pads (sponge stamp or painted), then blooms on top. Add reflected willow branches or sky at the top of the painting (loose, impressionistic — no hard lines). Eagles can also add a small arched Japanese bridge like Monet's famous bridge at Giverny using a simple curved stroke.
Final Details & Signing
Add final details: more light glints (tiny white dabs), deeper shadow areas, additional flowers or lily pads. Step back from the painting often — Monet painted while squinting to see the overall impression, not the details. Eagles sign their name at the bottom right, like real painters!
Artist Reflection Writing
- "When I look at my painting, I feel ___."
- "The hardest part of painting like Monet was ___."
- "Monet painted with loose brushstrokes to show a 'feeling' not a perfect picture. I tried to show the feeling of ___ in my painting."
- "If I could ask Monet one question, it would be: ___."
Gallery Journal + Label
Update Gallery Journal (Week 5). Gallery label: title, artist name, medium (tempera/watercolor on canvas board), one sentence about what "impression" the painting is trying to capture.
Monet-Inspired Water Lily Pond Painting
Lush Impressionist pond scenes on canvas — loose, expressive, and dreamy. Displayed together, they create a stunning wall of color and light.
Henri Matisse — "Painting with Scissors" Cut-Out Collage
Fauvism & Abstract Collage · Bold color, bold shapes, bold you
Socratic Discussion Monday–Thursday Morning (25 min each)
- Mon When Matisse became too sick to stand and paint, he invented a completely new way to make art — cutting shapes from painted paper with scissors. He called it "painting with scissors." Have YOU ever had to find a new way to do something when the usual way wasn't working?
- Tue Matisse used only a few bold, flat shapes and colors — no details, no shading. He said the pure color was enough. Do you think simpler art can be as powerful as complex art? What are some examples of simple things in life that have big impact?
- Wed Matisse spent years learning to paint in traditional ways before he invented something totally new. Do you think you need to know the "rules" before you can break them? Why or why not?
- Thu EXHIBITION PREP DAY — Final reflection. Eagles look at ALL 5 of their artworks. Ask: "How have you grown as an artist over these 6 weeks? Which piece are you most proud of and why? What is one thing you learned about art that surprised you?"
🎨 Quest Work — Monday to Wednesday Afternoon (90 min)
Watch: Henri Matisse for Kids
Watch the school-friendly Matisse video. Show examples of his famous cut-outs: "Blue Nudes," "The Beasts of the Sea," "Icarus." Notice how bold and joyful they feel despite their simplicity. Ask: "What shapes do you see? What do you feel?"
Henri Matisse for Kids (YouTube)What do Matisse's Collages Mean? | Tate Kids (YouTube)
Paint Pages of Color
Just like Matisse had his assistants paint large sheets of pure color, Eagles paint whole sheets of paper (8.5×11" or larger) in solid, bold colors using tempera paint. Each Eagle paints 8–10 sheets in different colors — these will be cut into shapes tomorrow. Matisse loved cerulean blue, bright yellow, coral red, emerald green, orange. Encourage BOLD, saturated painting with no white showing through.
Planning: What Is YOUR World?
Eagles plan their collage on paper first. Their collage will be called "My World" — it includes things that are important in their life. They plan 5–8 shapes/figures to cut out. Keep shapes BOLD and simple — Matisse's genius was simplicity!
- Half-size thumbnail box: sketch rough layout of shapes on the page
- "My world includes: ___" (list 5–8 things)
- "The feeling I want my collage to give is ___."
- "I will use these colors: ___ because ___."
Cut & Arrange Shapes
Eagles cut ORGANIC, flowing shapes (not geometric) from their painted paper — figures, animals, plants, stars, waves, abstract forms. Arrange (don't glue yet!) on a large white or black background sheet (14×18" or larger). Try multiple arrangements. Look at it from a distance. Move pieces until it feels balanced and joyful. Then glue everything down.
Complete Collage
Finish gluing and add any additional cut shapes to fill space. Add cut-paper outlines or detail pieces for extra depth. Press firmly and allow to fully dry. Eagles sign their name in a contrasting color of cut paper — no pens, just cut their name or initials out of paper and glue it on (like Matisse would!).
Final Artist Statement for the Gallery
Eagles write their final, most polished artist statement. This will be displayed at the exhibition alongside all their work.
- "This collage is called ___ and it represents ___."
- "I chose these shapes and colors because ___."
- "Matisse said 'painting with scissors' was his greatest adventure. My greatest adventure as an artist this session was ___."
- "Something I want visitors to think or feel when they see my collage is ___."
Gallery Curation — EVERYONE helps!
Eagles work together as a class to decide how to arrange the gallery. Where do each artist's works go? How do we group them — by week? By color? By mood? Lay out the space together. Every Eagle becomes a curator today. Write or finalize all gallery labels.
Matisse-Inspired "My World" Cut-Out Collage
Vibrant, joyful paper collages bursting with bold color and personal expression — the perfect final piece for the art gallery.
🖼️ Exhibition Day
Final Friday of the Session · Families & Community Welcome
Morning Prep
Eagles arrive early to help finalize the gallery layout. All 6 pieces displayed per Eagle. Labels, artist statements, and Gallery Journals all on display. Each Eagle has their own "artist corner."
Family Tour
Eagles act as guides for their own work. They walk family members through each piece, explain the artist who inspired them, the technique used, and what the artwork means to them personally.
Big Question Moment
Guide leads a brief Socratic circle with families present: "What did we discover about art, history, and ourselves during this quest? Why does art matter?"
Gallery Journal Share
Eagles choose one page from their Gallery Journal to read aloud or share with the group. A celebration of growth across the whole session.
What to Show
Week 1: Kandinsky Circles · Week 2: Dot Painting + Story · Week 3: Frida Self-Portrait · Week 4: Roman Mosaic · Week 5: Monet Water Lilies · Week 6: Matisse Collage
Gallery Journal
Every Eagle takes home their completed Gallery Journal — a 6-week record of artists they studied, thoughts they had, and the art they made. A keepsake of the whole quest.
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." — Pablo Picasso
