Literature
Art
“My! What Big Teeth You Have!” The Hidden Histories of Fairy Tales
Drawing for People Who Think They Can’t Draw: Learning to See Like an Artist
Did you know that Beauty and the Beast was written to convince young women to accept arranged marriages? Or that Little Red Riding Hood was intended to warn women not to sleep with men out of wedlock? In fact, most original fairy tales were written for adults—many for women—and they included dark, even gruesome themes that were meant to scare people into accepting social mores. Join April ChapmanLudwig, teaching assistant professor in DU’s Writing Program, as she strips away the Disney whitewash and dives into several original folk tales, addressing each story’s historical and cultural meanings. In each class, ChapmanLudwig begins by sharing the “origin story” of a popular fairy tale. For example, Cinderella has its roots in Chinese foot binding. What was the intended moral of that story? Then, ChapmanLudwig looks at the adaptations to each story across time. What does each change reveal about society and also the author’s own life? Along the way, join class discussions about why these stories still resonate today, which adaptations seem antiquated and which hit too close to home. Chapman-Ludwig will cover Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. Come away with eyes wide open—the better to see you with, my dear!
Four sessions
Thur., Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 2020, 6:30–8:30 pm ENRICH 0350 / $175
April Chapman-Ludwig has taught in the Writing Program at DU for over 13 years. Her writing and research focus on visual rhetoric, 18th-century women’s literature, the history of fairy tales, documentary film, transfer student persistence and the social sciences.
As young children we were encouraged to stay within the lines in our coloring books and beginning drawings. But is that what really makes a drawing “good?” How many frustrating experiences did it take to convince you that you can’t draw? Alfredo A. Ortiz, adjunct professor of drawing at DU’s School of Art and Art History, has been sharing his passion for art through teaching for over 15 years. He believes that anyone can learn to draw well with the correct instruction and some practice. Before you can draw like an artist, though, you need to know how to see like an artist. Learn to perceive things in a completely new way and then record your impressions. With exercises and topics that include understanding line, value and negative space, composing still life and onepoint perspective, you’ll gain important tools to help you create more sophisticated works of art. Weather permitting, you’ll even enjoy a bit of drawing en plein air. This course is for beginners or those looking to sharpen their drawing skills. Registration includes supplies. Space is limited, so enroll early!
Two-day intensive
Sat., Apr. 25, May 2, 2020, 9 am–12 pm; 1–4 pm ENRICH 0330 / $195
Mexican American artist Alfredo Ortiz is an adjunct professor of Drawing, School of Art and Art History. He received a BFA from MSU Denver and an MFA from CU-Boulder. His work has been exhibited locally, as well as in Palestine, Colombia and Mexico City.
See more Art and Art History courses in Cultural Connections section.
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