• Pop art represents current cultural happenings.art image by Svetlin Rusev from Fotolia.com
  
  Pop art, or art embracing the images of current or popular culture, came into vogue in America in the 1960's. Artists created colorful images of the social figures, ideas and products of the time. Pop art is enjoyed by children for its cartoon figures, bright colors and the recognition of items represented. The basic concepts of pop art are teachable at early ages.
  
  

Warhol Project

• The introduction of pop art to a class begins with a short, age-appropriate discussion on Andy Warhol. Introduce images of different works by the artist. Focus on the works made of multiple facets of the same image such as his depiction of "Mickey Mouse" and "10 Marilyns." Students proceed to draw a singular self-portrait on a sheet of white paper. These portraits are then reduced and copied so that either four or six of the picture fit upon one sheet. Glue the pictures onto one sheet. Use paint, markers or crayons as mediums for the decoration of the multiple pictures on the page. Remind students of the variations in Warhol's portraits. Encourage different colored backgrounds, hair colors, eye colors and outlines. Instruct the students to sign their finished products. Frames are created for the portraits using strips of colored construction paper glued along the edges.
  
  

Indiana Words

• Robert Indiana created the "LOVE" painting in 1966 using oil and canvas. This word was his summation of the hippie culture of the time. Translate this work of art into a child's project using cut-outs and cardboard. The children select a word they feel reflects their life. Usable words are less than six letters due to space. Choices might include "happy," "cool," "play," "game" or other age-appropriate descriptors. Letters for each word are traced from large stencils and cut from white paper. Children arrange the letters in variant order on a piece of white cardboard or tagboard. Supply poster paints or washable markers for coloring the pictures. Display an image of the "LOVE" painting and discuss the use of color within the picture while the students work. At completion, discuss each piece of work and how it makes the creator and other students feel when they view it.
  
  

Label Art

• The basis of pop art is the recognition of the popular images of the time. Andy Warhol depicted popular brands of food and drinks. Expand on this concept with children by creating art using labels from their favorite products. Students collect labels from their favorite canned foods, fronts from cereal boxes, packages from their favorite toys and sales tags from their favorite clothing. The items are glued or stapled randomly on a medium size piece of cardboard or tagboard. Use watercolors to add background or to create variations on the labels. After drying, place a coat of shellac or clear varnish to the creations to seal the labels in place.