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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

African Vision: The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection

http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/africanvision/

Provider: Smithsonina Institution - National Museum of African Art


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Over a 20 year period, Paul and Ruth Tishman collected African art in an effort to “to acquire works from all the major art traditions in the continent.” Most of the works of art in this collection come from western and central Africa. The Walt Disney Company bought the collection in 1984 to place in Epcot. However, the collection was never displayed there and in 2005, Walt Disney World Co. gave the 525 piece collection to the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. This online exhibit shares just a part of this wonderful collection.

A drop down navigation menu on the introductory page allows the visitor to view a timeline with examples of art from 1490 to the present. The Masks section has 28 masks. Each mask has a zoom option to view it more closely. There is also information describing the mask and its ceremonial use. In addition to masks, the collection has figural sculptures and other objects. A hunting horn, divination board, funerary vessel, stool, armlets, a covered bowl, and more can be viewed.

Students will enjoy the activities in the “Explore African Art” section of the site. They will find a word search, a puzzle, a “spot the differences” activity and a list of books to read to learn more about African art.