Drop by the OISE Library to view the newest selection of books on display from OISE’s Ontario Historical Education Collection. In the history of primary and secondary education, the study of art has ranged in focus from the fine and visual arts, to textile and fibre arts, as well as the industrial arts. Despite their many differences, all of these forms of art share a common element in terms of emphasizing the importance of design. Indeed, there is a shared insistence the various turn of the 20th century textbooks on display regarding the importance of learning, understanding, and incorporating the various elements and principles of design into the artistic process. Regarding the importance design, one textbook describes how “it awakens pleasure in shaping material to a predetermined form by patience, foresight, and skill.” The display includes a historical weaving pattern exemplar book, and a selection of textbooks, teacher’s manuals, and study guides on art education at both the primary and secondary level.
These materials can be viewed in the small display case on the Ground Floor of the OISE library.
