Students read survey of Osage traditional art forms including motifs & symbols, ribbonwork, finger-weaving, and beadwork, discuss European influences.
Cut-out, color & labeling activity. The students will learn about the Osage’s annual Ilonska (Ee-lon-shka) dances, and examine the special traditional clothing that is worn in them, including special meaning and symbolism in the decorative motifs and color. Students color and cut out an Ilonska outfit, attach to a figure, label the clothing items, then share with a group & explain the symbolism in their designs and color choices.
Students read background on history, process, difficulty, styles, artists, and revival of this iconic Osage art form, watch video, answer review questions.They can also complete a ribbonwork-type design to make their own bookmark (upper grades).
Students read background on history, materials, process, uses, styles, artists, and revival of this challenging and highly-valued Osage art form, and answer review questions.
Students read history purpose seal design, and description of each of its element and its symbolism:then complete chart of symbolism in objects and colors in the seal.
Students review Osage designs and art forms, and create their own design (various choices of format), then present to group explaining symbolism and purpose.
Students explore websites of various contemporary Osage artists, then focus on one artist and complete research outline on his/her work. Students examine the Osage artists’ statements about their work, research what makes an effective “Artist’s Statement,” then draft their own artist’s statement about their own work.