Tuesdays, August 26 - December 9, 1:30-3:30 pm
Instructor: Bill Perthes

Once again this fall The Violette de Mazia Foundation is pleased to join with Villanova University to offer Traditions in Art: A Plastic Approach at SCI Graterford. This class is designed to strengthen the participants understanding of the objective method as developed by Dr. Barnes, put into practice by Miss de Mazia and grounded in the aesthetic philosophy of John Dewey. Using the knowledge and tools learned in the first class, Art and Aesthetic Theory: An Objective Approach, participants will be encourage to examine their experience and understanding of art as it has developed through the centuries. Through study and observation, participants will, both individually and collectively, be challenged to participate in a continuing dialogue regarding the place of the aesthetic in everyday life and the role of art within this context.

The primary intent of the class is to integrate the Traditions of art as conceived and explained by Dr. Barnes into a deeper aesthetic understanding. Dr. Barnes believed the Traditions held the key to unlocking the aesthetic significance of individual artists and the Traditions in which these artists worked. He believed that aesthetic and critical literacy could only be achieved through an understanding of the Traditions. This class will examine the discourse of ideas had over time between the artists studied.