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Lesson Plan Image

The Stars of LeWitt

Students will explore the role of embassies, The Foundation for Art Preservation in Embassies (FAPE), and be inspired by the art of FAPE artist Sol LeWitt to create a drawing in his style.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Sol LeWitt (1928-2007) was an American minimalist artist who was known for his wall drawings and "structures," a term he preferred over "sculptures." He is a FAPE (Foundation for Art Preservation in Embassies) artist whose works are installed in the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City, the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, and the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo. Ask students to research the role of embassies as well as the mission of FAPE. Have them discuss how art can encourage cross-cultural understanding and create cultural diplomacy.

  • Step 2

    LeWitt featured stars and other geometric shapes in his art. Have students look at his "Wall Drawing #1256: Five Pointed Stars," which appears in the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, as well as others that feature stars such as "Wall Drawing #386" (1983) and "Wall Drawing #711 (1992).

  • Step 3

    Ask students to create a star drawing in the style of Sol LeWitt. Encourage them to use bold colors, as LeWitt does, and create a minimalist work that features either a progression of stars or stars nested within each other.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their work and tell the class which embassy they'd like their art to be displayed in. Ask students to share insights on the relationship between that country and the United States and some diplomacy issues that might be top of mind between these countries.

Standards

ARTS: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art.

SS: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions: Examine various institutions that affect one’s life and influence people’s thinking and how they advocate for ideas they believe in.

Adaptations

Have students look at images of some of Sol LeWitt's structures (his term for sculptures) and encourage them to create a LeWitt-inspired structure out of Air-Dry Clay or Model Magic.

Have students collaborate to design wall art that would promote diplomacy and cultural understanding.