Tell a friend   Print   Feedback!

Welcome to issue 2 of READ, where Art Comes Alive. This fun and beautiful issue of READ presents art through a literary lens. Early in the year, we try to grab students' attention with vivid images and fascinating story lines. We're confident this issue produces.

In the Center Stage play, "Forever Dorian," we give an old classic an update. Based on Oscar Wilde's novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, our Dorian is a famous model living in New York. His heart of gold turns black when an artist captures his portrait, and a friend reminds him that his perfect visage will not last forever. Dorian begins to act cruelly, taking full advantage of his beauty. But when Dorian's behavior starts turning his portrait into a gnarled old man, the model realizes eternal youth comes with a heavy price tag. A relatable thriller, we are sure your students will be enthralled as the story comes to life in your classroom.

Our nonfiction addition looks at the thefts of two famous paintings. "Artless" shows that the stories behind these heists are as intriguing and complicated as the paintings themselves. This is a good article to test reading comprehension.

We're certainly not the first to take an interest in art theft.  It's the preferred  hobby of James Bond villains, and the subject of more than a few books and movies. And, poet Monica Youn writes about the famous theft of Munch's painting The Scream in her poem "Stealing The Scream." We made this poem the subject of our LSI. We take a look at the art of writing about art.

"Galatea Speaks" is the title of our short story where the artist Pygmalion's creation finally gives her take on being a work of art. Turns out she really does have a heart of stone.

The Writing feature, "Thinking in Pictures" teaches the art of "ekphrasis," or writing about images. This article will inspire your students to write about their favorite works of art.

Please enjoy our art issue. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at read@weeklyreader.com. Don’t forget to check out our blog, Word, for great electronic connections to each issue.

Sincerely,

The editors at READ