This assignment requires you to visit one of the many art galleries located at the McHenry County College campus. One purpose of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to experience the humanities through fine art firsthand. Following your visit, you will compose a critical analysis of your experience, supported by your keen observations and quality research. (Note: this is NOT a research paper, but research will be used to support your claims and/or provide background in your analysis).

What is a critical analysis? The word “critical” connotes negativity, yet a critique is not necessarily negative. Your opinion of the art exhibit might be positive, negative or a combination of the two. The intent of a critical analysis is to examine a particular work or collection of works and identify their purpose or function. You must identify the artist’s thesis, or point, in creating a work of fine art. Is the purpose of an artwork to inform, persuade, or entertain? A critical analysis answers all of these questions. Next, a critical analysis considers whether the purpose was communicated effectively. A critical analysis is also subjective. Your analysis will clearly assert your opinion of the fine art event that you attended.

NOTE: This assignment is eligible for inclusion in your student E-portfolio

Follow the steps below to complete this assignment:

Art Exhibition Review

This assignment requires you to visit one of McHenry County College’s several art galleries or exhibitions. The galleries are easily accessible whenever the college is open. These galleries usually feature local, student, or visiting artists. Oftentimes visiting artists present lectures and workshops in conjunction with their visits, which you may want to consider attending as a supplement to your paper.

An art exhibition critique considers the selection of artworks in the gallery, and how they interrelate to one another. Take detailed notes and photos to help you write your paper later on. Photos may be included as an addendum to your paper. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of some of the McHenry County College galleries: