CANADIAN ARTISTS

G. Kennedy
ESL COI
November 2003

Researching a Canadian Artist

1. Choose a Canadian artist you would like to research from the list given to you by your teacher and then tell your teacher which artist you have chosen.
2. You will be given library time to do your research. Make sure you have at least two different sources of information, e.g. encyclopedia, book, magazine, internet, newspaper, CBC News in Review, etc.
3. Carefully read the information you have gathered and take notes under the following headings:
   • personal information
   • education
   • skills
   • jobs
   • setbacks and difficulties
   • geographical, historical, and/or other influences
   • mentors
   • accomplishments and awards
4. NOTE: DO NOT COPY! Summarize the information and make point-form notes in your own words. Attempt to use the colon and parentheses in your notes. Copy your notes onto cue cards. Your notes will be marked.
5. Choose an example of the artist's art. You might select a painting, a song, an exerpt from a video, or an excerpt from a poem or book.
6. Prepare an oral presentation of your artist. In your presentation you will:
   • introduce your topic to the class by writing the name of your artist on the area of art on the blackboard
   • use your cue card notes to present information you have gathered. Use art terms (e.g. abstract, still life, jazz, pirouette, etc.)
   • present the art sample you have selected. Discuss why you selected this piece of art. Discuss how Canadian history/geography/culture influenced the artist.
   • conclude your presentation with a memorable statement about your artist.
   • submit your notes to the teachers at the end of your presentation for assessment

Print Resources

The following encyclopedia may be a useful starting point for basic information about your famous Canadian. They are found on the low shelf by the entrance to the library.

• Canadian Encyclopedia
• Junior Encyclopedia of Canada

This library also has the following biographical resources that may be useful for this project.

• Canadians All....(Series) 920 CAN
• Canadian Profiles 920 LON
• Faces of Canada 920 LON
• The MacMillan Dictionary of Canadian Biography 920 Macm

Databases

Internet Resources

• Famous Canadians
a terrific listing of Canadians
• Famous People Who Happen To Be Canadian: an excellent site that lists famous people by their professions

• Famous Canadians Theme Page has links to sites where you can find information on famous Canucks; great links! An added bonus is that each site is described briefly; don't overlook this site

• Famous Canadian Women

• National Library - Memorable Canadians an excellent site with many ways to search the database
• Canada In The Making terrific index to Canadians who have contributed to history
• Bibliography for Canadian Artists this has biographies of most famous Canadian painters and sculptors, just click on the name of your artist at the bottom of your page

created by R. Payette
June 2009