Unit Plan 13 (Grade 8 Art): Style Application Project

Focus: Create an original artwork inspired by a historical or cultural art style, connecting personal themes to stylistic characteristics and cultural/historical context.

Grade Level: 8

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Studio Practice • Context & Style)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students apply what they’ve learned about cultural styles and context by designing and creating an original artwork inspired by (not copying) a historical or cultural art movement. They begin by choosing a style and a personal theme—such as identity, community, change, or a social issue—and then brainstorm how to merge the two. Through research, thumbnail sketches, and planning, students develop an artwork that borrows key stylistic traits while expressing their own ideas. By the end, they can explain how their piece connects to the original style’s visual language and context, and how they adapted it to tell a new story.

Essential Questions

• How can I respectfully draw inspiration from a historical or cultural art style while still creating something original?
• In what ways can I connect a personal theme or experience to a style that reflects a different time, place, or culture?
• How do stylistic choices (color, pattern, composition) and context work together to shape the meaning of my artwork?
• What steps—brainstorming, research, thumbnails, planning—help turn a rough idea into a thoughtful, style-inspired artwork?
• How can I explain my artistic decisions so others understand how style + context + personal theme come together in my piece?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Select a historical or cultural art style and identify key stylistic traits and contextual background for that style.
2. Choose a personal theme, issue, or experience and brainstorm ways to connect it to the chosen style (VA:Cr1.8a).
3. Develop multiple thumbnail sketches and planning notes that experiment with composition, symbols, and style-inspired elements.
4. Create an original artwork that borrows stylistic characteristics from the chosen movement while expressing a personal idea (VA:Cr1.8a, VA:Cn11.8a).
5. Explain in writing or orally how their artwork reflects influences from a specific cultural/historical context and how they adapted those influences for their own meaning (VA:Cn11.8a).
6. Reflect on the creative process and identify which planning decisions most improved the final piece.

Standards Alignment — 8th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Cr1.8a — Develop original artistic ideas by investigating themes, issues, or personal experiences through brainstorming, research, and visual planning.
  • Example: Students create thumbnail sketches exploring how a chosen cultural style and personal theme can be combined in one composition.
• VA:Cn11.8a — Analyze how visual art reflects cultural, historical, or social contexts and explain how context influences meaning.
  • Example: Students reference a historical or cultural movement and explain how its stylistic traits and context influenced their own artwork’s look and message.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name the style I chose, describe at least three visual traits, and explain its cultural/historical background.
• I can clearly state my personal theme and show how it connects to the style I’m using.
• I can develop thumbnail sketches that experiment with composition and style-inspired elements before choosing a final plan.
• I can create an artwork that looks influenced by a specific style but still feels original and personal.
• I can explain how my artistic decisions link style, context, and my own message.