On a long weekend in April, students in AP® Art History rose before dawn to board a flight with their chaperones, Upper School Arts Teachers Patrick Huber and Denise Douglas, and visit the vibrant city of Chicago and its artistic treasures.
On day one, after a fortifying and welcome post-flight breakfast in the Loop, students took a walking tour of Chicago’s architecture and public sculpture. They marveled at the innovation and design of skyscrapers, as well as the unique public sculptures that punctuated the urban environment. The afternoon welcomed students to the hallowed halls of the Art Institute of Chicago, where masterpieces were viewed and discussed, including works listed in the AP® Art History “250” list, the specific 250 required works of art and architecture that students must study as part of the curriculum and final AP exam. For many students, this is where textbooks come to life, expanding their knowledge of the piece. The day concluded with students gathering at the famous Portillo’s restaurant, where they enjoyed burgers and iconic Chicago-style hot dogs.
Day two took students on a time travel journey to the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures at the University of Chicago. Through ancient artifacts, students connected to the foundational roots of past civilizations’ artistic expression. The afternoon transported students to a modern marvel: the Robie House, a Prairie-style gem crafted by the visionary Frank Lloyd Wright in 1909. At their final stop, the Museum of Contemporary Art, students meandered through thought-provoking and often challenging works, further expanding the subjective nature of all art. No visit to Chicago is complete without a dinner at Giordano’s for classic Chicago deep-dish pizza. An extra special addition to this year’s trip was attending a production of Moulin Rouge at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
The final day was dedicated to a visit to the Field Museum, which offered a glimpse into the wonders of the natural world and its influence on artistic inspiration. Students also had time for a return visit to the Art Institute of Chicago and a stroll through the iconic Millennium Park to study the shimmering curves of Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, affectionately known as “The Bean,” and the architectural wonder of Frank Gehry’s Pritzker Pavilion, a 2004 avant-garde design.
Douglas shared, “I very much enjoyed watching the students see works that they have studied, but even more so, I like to see their reaction to artwork they have not been exposed to, such as the art at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This is the kind of work that pulls the viewer outside their comfort zone and offers a wonderful opportunity to learn, to consider how artists are impacted by the world around them, and experience firsthand how their work, in turn, impacts the viewer.
“This year, we went to see Moulin Rouge at the Cadillac Palace Theater, which was also a new experience for some of the students. It was a beautifully staged musical and brought visual and performing arts together in a way that is unique to a singular art form.”