The Thalia N. Carlos Education Center goes digital in 2020-2021

While much of the world slowed down over the past year, the Carlos Museum’s education department geared up. In response to the global pandemic, the museum’s education staff pivoted to provide digital experiences for visitors, members, and schools. Over 107 programs were held virtually over Zoom.

Artful Stories went virtual with children’s books like, The Water Princess by Susan Verde, and Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes, by Hena Khan. Virtual children’s workshops were hosted throughout the year, including a workshop on Haida formline design, and another connecting art and science – specifically highlighting whale sharks through a partnership with the Georgia Aquarium.

Teacher workshops also continued throughout the year and were taught over Zoom in real-time. In a workshop for Fulton County art teachers, Ana Vizurraga demonstrated ceramic techniques related to the museum’s Makonde water vessel. Over the summer of 2021, the Carlos Museum partnered with Emory’s Social, Emotional, and Ethical (SEE) Learning™ program to present a virtual Summer Teacher Institute titled “Social Emotional Learning in the Art Museum.” During this interactive, three-day institute, teachers learned from museum staff and a certified SEE Learning facilitator how works of art can be tools to foster social-emotional learning. Educators learned how to use works of art from a variety of cultures and time periods to strengthen visual literacy skills, reinforce vocabulary and social awareness for students, and incorporate art into mindfulness and meditation exercises. Teachers participated in collaborative creative exercises that foster empathy, self-management, self-awareness, and relationship skills. One teacher noted: “This course was perfectly aligned with some goals I have as a teacher for this upcoming year. It also encompassed so much more than expected, and I can use this in my personal life with my son and for myself.” The SEE Learning program is a part of Emory University's Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics.

Carlos Museum Docent Guild remained active and educators and members of the Docent Guild led virtual tours for children and adults. Virtual tours were given not just to students in Atlanta or Georgia, but also to students in Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. Over 3,200 students participated in virtual tours over the last year.

“Virtual tours have been a wonderful way to engage students of all ages around the objects and themes in the Carlos collection, especially as Covid concerns linger. Student can observe, participate and learn regardless of whether they are in the classroom or at home.”

carolyn bregman, president of the docent guild

Docent Mary Beth Abbott noted that virtual touring “has been a marvelous alternative access to our collection. It does not replace the wonder and excitement of being with our objects in person, but it does provide some advantages. The clarity in viewing and enlarging objects is effective with all the objects and particularly helpful with artifacts of small dimension and delicate engraving and coloration.”

Sharon LeMaster shared that “I am constantly impressed by the enthusiasm of the students and the teachers who have had to adapt quickly to a virtual learning environment. They have my utmost respect.”Z