Warhol Workshop

North Allegheny Senior High School art students participated in a day long workshop at the Andy Warhol Museum dealing with the challenging issue of capitol punishment.  The students were recruited to help the Warhol education staff develop curriculum for their collection of Warhol’s work.  Students viewed and discussed an exhibit of Warhol’s “Electric Chair” paintings that were accompanied by extensive information about the history and issues surrounding capitol punishment. They also compared these artworks with others by Warhol and created a “‘zine” dealing with their reaction to the issues in the Warhol studio.  Students found the day to be challenging and stimulating, allowing them to reflect on an important social issue and on the influential role that art can play in addressing those issues.

Following their experience at the museum, the students were asked by the museum staff to create their own art dealing with the theme of capitol punishment.  Some created interactive pieces that will be available from the Warhol website.  They are now on view at http://www.yosoyartista.net/na/academics/Art/multimedia/Flash/warhol.htm

This collaboration with the Warhol Museum was the culmination of several months of meeting and consultation by Jim Reinhard, NASH art teacher, as a member of a committee representing educators, district attorneys, defense attorneys, abolitionist groups, victims groups, clergy, legal scholars, ethicists and historians.  The committee collaborated to create curriculum and educational materials for the public and schools.

To view the exhibition and related educational materials visit http://www.warhol.org/education/electric_chair.html