Providing an opportunity to explore the nature and values of the visual arts was the basic motivation behind the development of this web site. It was designed to be "user friendly" and as practical as possible. No attempt has been made to provide ornamentation or decorative components. Sections are provided within a simple and direct format to permit the greatest ease for both reading and downloading. The content, of course, is based on my conception of what is fundamental about the visual arts, which stems from my long and varied experiences related to both research and teaching.

Ronald H. Silverman, Ed.D.
Professor Emeritus of Art
California State University, Los Angeles

Ron Silverman attended both professional art schools and academic institutions, starting with a scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute when he was nine years old. He earned his BA at UCLA (1952), MA at Los Angeles State College (1955), and his Doctorate in Art Education at Stanford University (1962). He has taught art at all levels of schooling, and prepared both elementary and secondary teachers of art at CSU, Los Angeles over a period of 33 years. He has directed and/or co-directed research studies funded by the U. S. Office of Education, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the J. Paul Getty Trust. All of these studies were concerned with developing and evaluating innovations that would contribute to improving art instruction for children and youth. His areas of scholarship have focused on curriculum development and evaluation, and analyzing the art education needs of economically and socially disadvantaged learners.