Discover & Learn

The Gift Drawings of the Shakers

Topic: Draw your own "Gift Drawing"
Discipline(s): History and Visual Art

Grades: 3-5 and 6-8

Background:
From 1837 to the late 1860's "spiritual gifts" were received by Shakers during a period called "Mother Ann's work." During this time, Shakers were inspired to create music and art.  These inspirations were visions and messages that Shakers received from their spiritual ancestors such as Mother Ann Lee, saints and prophets from Biblical times, and Shakers who died and were believed to live in heaven.  Shakers who wrote, drew or painted were called "instruments."

Shaker instruments did not display their "gift drawings." Instruments kept their drawings private or the Ministry kept them. Shakers did not decorate their walls during most of the 1800's.

"Gift drawings" were colorful and organized. Some designs were inspired by work that Shaker sisters were involved with when embroidering quilts, stitching samplers or sewing textile prints into clothing. The colors that were used were influenced by paint colors that were common to Shaker buildings, furniture and textiles.

If you examine the "gift drawings," you will find that Shakers created signs or symbols that were often repeated throughout works drawn by different instruments.  The following images were used repeatedly in the drawings:

1. Nature: birds, plants and flowers, stars, trees, arbors
2. Mechanical or Manufactured Items: machines, clocks, baskets
3. Musical Instruments: horns, harps
4. Symbols: geometric shapes, hearts, crosses

Such images were inspired by the environment and activities that Shakers were exposed to in their villages.

A different form of "gifts" received by Shaker instruments was in the form of "sacred sheets." These were composed of characters called "spirit writing." Theses messages were not understood, as the symbols represented "unknown tongues." Many of the "sacred sheets" appear to be abstract strokes that could be made from a pen and ink practice of various strokes used in penmanship. From: Seen and Received: The Shakers' Private Art, by Sharon Koomler

Student Learning Objectives:

• To appreciate art created by Shakers: Gift Drawings that were inspired by spirituality, dreams, visions, personal experiences and interaction with the environment
• To learn about Shaker history and culture
• To create own "inspired drawing(s)" based on personal experience and imagination
• To use various art materials and tools to create a "gift drawing"
• To practice elements of design in artwork: line, color, symmetry, simplicity, order, symbols

• Visual: look at and analyze "gift drawings
• Auditory: listen to discussion between teacher and students about "gift drawings"
• Visual/spatial: use of imagination to create personal "gift drawing;" review & appreciation of Shaker art
• Intrapersonal intelligence: dreams, inner feelings, personal experience are explored via art

• markers, pencils, erasers, colored pencils, watercolors, or watercolor/pencils, paper, rulers, compasses, curves, etc. as preferred or available
• index cards (blank on reverse; lines on front side)
• drawing paper

• Who made the drawings?
• Why did they create the drawings?
• What design elements were incorporated in the "gift drawings"?
• What in the Shakers artists' environment influenced the "gift drawings"?

• What did you learn about "gift drawings" in Shaker society?
• What did you like/dislike about the "gift drawings?
• Are you inspired to create work based on your dreams, imagination & inspiration?
• Do "gift drawings" relate to other art that you have seen? (E.g., folk art, quilt designs, cartoons, abstract designs, etc.)

• Use objects (e.g., compass, lids, found items, etc.) to trace or aid drawing.
• Use rubber stamps to create designs.
• Print symmetrical designs by: a. discussing what is a symmetrical design (e.g., tree, person, flower, etc.) b. painting ½ of a folded sheet of paper c. unfolding paper & thereby creating a very simple print
• Use teams or groups of students to create collaborative project (e.g., mural)
• Use collage materials (e.g., paper, fabric, wallpaper, etc.) to glue a picture together, instead of drawing or painting

• Research "gift drawings" created by an individual Shaker and give a report to class.
• Use new and different media-not traditional to Shakers' simple "gift drawings"--to create "inspired drawing." (E.g., glitter ink, charcoal, etc.)
• Create a "gift drawing" inspired by what you have seen or learned about Shakers' way of life (their furniture, buildings, work life, worship, etc.)
• Explore "folk art" and compare how it shares similarities or differs from "gift drawings."

• Lesson plan for Gift Drawings
• Information cards on Hannah Cahoon, Polly Jane Reed, and gift drawings
• Laminated reproductions of gift drawings
• Sample gift drawing on index card
• Book: Seen and Received: The Shakers' Private Art
• Art materials: