The Houston Museum’s education program, which is currently suspended because of lack of funding, fosters an understanding and appreciation of the decorative arts with a variety of outreach classes. Interactive classes highlight the objects of the Victorian era in the museum’s collection, explain how these pieces were crafted, and consider their influence on the lifestyles and social customs of their time. The museum's Board of Trustees has as a primary goal the reinstatement of this program. What is described below outlines the offerings as they were previously carried out.
Museum representatives go to respective locations and provide all of the materials needed for students to create their own works of art. All of the programs include study guides and are designed to meet national fine art standards.
Each presentation lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Over 75 decorative arts lessons are available that correlate to the following classroom presentations. If your class has already experienced a particular project, call about ideas for one of the new ones. We can also “customize” a presentation depending on your students’ needs and abilities.
Students and other participants will enjoy and benefit from these enrichment opportunities!
For more information and bookings call: Education Coordinator, (423) 267-7176
Or e-mail houston@chattanooga.net
“Victorian Tea Party and Holiday Celebrations”
Students enjoy tea served by a period attired hostess. They are introduced to Victorian manners, customs, values and lifestyles. The origin of tea drinking, the scientific inventions of the 1800s and the societal changes that took place during those times are discussed. Students create a seasonal Victorian paper card or craft.
“The World of Glass”
Students learn about the Houston Museum’s glass collection, the history and science of glass and the different types of antique art glass including how they were crafted. They learn about the techniques of blowing and pressing glass, view a video of glassmakers at work, then make a decorative glass craft.
“Hand Building with Clay”
The program highlights ceramic pieces from the museum such as the antique Majolica pieces and the character Toby jugs. Students learn the early origins of pottery building: the coil, slab and pinch methods. They learn beginning techniques and vocabulary of clay modeling and gain experience designing a small clay piece.
“American Textiles”
The program introduces students to antique woven coverlets, samplers and quilts and to the history behind their traditions. Students learn about the natural materials used to weave, dye and sew textiles. Students sample weaving on a small loom, learn the quilting stitch, dye a scrap of material and make a textile craft.
“Animal Symbols”
The presentation focuses on the wide variety of animals used as subjects in the decorative arts, some of which are on endangered species lists. Students consider why artists throughout history have incorporated animals as decorative elements into their everyday objects and what they symbolize. Students design an animal symbol that can be drawn, painted or printed onto something.
“Heirlooms, Memories and Collectibles”
Anecdotes are shared about some of the more unusual items in the Houston collection. Questions are raised about why such objects are saved, what they represent and what makes them valuable. Students reflect on items their own families might save to pass on to future generations. They create a personal “memento keepsake.”
“Occupational Shaving Mugs”
Students learn how customized shaving mugs at the local barbershop became the first form of advertising for particular goods and services during Victorian times. Trades and jobs of the past are compared to those in current times and students create their own “occupational mugs.”
“Victorian Music and Music Boxes”
Students learn about the origin and operation of antique music boxes, compare songs and lyrics with those of today and understand ways in which music is a reflection of social and cultural life. For a higher supplies fee, participants can build their own music boxes.
“Collaborative Quilt Making Residency”
Learn all about quilts and design one for your school, neighborhood, group home or recreation center. Students plan and design the quilt as a group. Quilting history, techniques and traditions are learned as well as basic sewing terms and stitches. Many subjects or themes can be explored through quilting. Each student will contribute one block to the final piece made by drawing, painting and printing on fabric. This project has special pricing. Call for details.
To be included on a listing of those to be contacted when the education program is reinstated,
call the museum, (423) 267-7176, or e-mail houston@chattanooga.net.
