Visual Thinking Strategies

VTS or Visual Thinking Strategies is a "problem solving process" that most art students develop in college.  It helps people work in groups and respect each other's ideas and perspectives.  This technique is valuable to all age groups in many subjects.  VTS works well within the Common Core standards and I thought it would be fun to try out in

First Friday Art Club.  

Mieke Fay from Corning Museum of Glass is a VTS enthusiast, 

so I invited her to lead the group in this activity.

We started with this image.  Can you tell me, "What's going on in this picture?"

The group was smaller than usual.  Once kids see the words "thinking" and "strategies," their eyes glaze over and they look for ways to escape.  Only the most art focused joined the group, but it was an educational experience nonetheless.

It was slow going at first.

The ladies were fairly silent at first, but I had a sense there was a very valid reason for that.

Black and white does not appeal to this age group.  I clearly remember a disconnect with black and white imagery.  Give me color photography or paintings and I could decipher the image for hours as a teen.  This was the same circumstance for this group of teens.

Color imagery and a little patience makes the difference.

Once we shifted to a color painting, we had a slightly larger group of participants and much more enthusiasm.  I did recognize their urge to create their own artwork, but these ladies proved respect and patience within in their peer group, which is a VTS skill.

A lesson in this process is to give the kids hands-on  projects.  They spend enough time sitting and thinking in school that all their hearts desire is freedom for creativity.  Once we handed collage supplies to create their own "Self-Portrait" collage, the room was a-buzz with activity and excitement.  When I attempt VTS again, it will be in a critique setting after work has been created by the students.  That way, the skills are being developed, but the teen's need to create is also being nurtured.  

Please enjoy the self-expression collages made in a rush by these creative young ladies.