We will explore the Middle Ages using the Cloisters’ collections as a springboard for learning about the time period. Using art objects as primary sources, students will make connections to, and inferences about, the cultural contexts from which the objects come, and how those contexts influenced choices made by artists. Sketching, writing, and other hands-on activities will help foster a deeper understanding of materials and techniques used by the makers of the objects, as well as of modern museum curatorial and exhibition design practices. The mentorship will culminate with a final project where students will design, and write copy for, their own exhibition display idea which puts objects from the Cloisters in conversation with their own artwork.

This mentorship is led by Lauren Ebin, an Art Historian and Archaeologist who has been a Museum Educator at The Met since 1998. Lauren also has experience working in curatorial roles at the Brooklyn Museum and teaching courses at Pratt Institute. She has curated special exhibits in art and anthropology museums in the United States and in Argentina, and has written for domestic and international publications. Lauren holds degrees from Brown and Columbia Universities, and has spent 10 seasons in the field excavating at sites in Greece, Israel, Argentina, and France (including at a French Medieval monastery).

Dates: Monday, 2/282022; Tuesday, 3/1/2022; and, Friday 3/4/2022.
Ages: 11 to 14
Materials Needed: None
If you have any questions, please email maysaa@pono.nyc.