Video Art Lesson: Métis Beadwork

Posted: May 13, 2020

Above: Lesson Plan: Métis Beading with Pointillism

In this first video art lesson, students will be introduced to the history of Métis beadwork, and the artwork of Métis artist Amy Malbeuf, currently on display at the Richmond Art Gallery. Gallery educator Melanie Devoy then demonstrates the technique of pointillism and guides students to make an artwork inspired by beadwork traditions. To see more of Amy’s work, check out the Labour’s trace exhibition.

Materials:

• Paper
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Markers

Procedure:

• Watch the lesson by clicking the video to the right (10 minutes). For more information on the history of Métis beading, watch the Parks Canada video “The Flower Beadwork People” (5 minutes).
• Come up with an idea and sketch it lightly with pencil. Suggested image development strategies are going for a walk in nature to get ideas from native plants, choosing a word and drawing it out in block letters, or choosing a topic that relates to a subject currently being studied by the class.
• Starting with the outlines, trace the lines with individual dots placed close together, following the lines.
• Next fill in the shapes by again following the contours of the outlines but on the inside.

If you want to share your art online, post with #RAGatHome or #RichmondConnects.

To learn more, check out these related links:

Labour’s trace exhibition page

Video Interview with artist Amy Malbeuf

Labour’s Trace Teacher Guide

Educational Resources created by the Métis Nation of BC