On Thursday, October 24th, students in our CTE Next Brand Challenge course at Euclid High School had a unique opportunity to engage with history and art through the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Art to Go program. Led by a team of museum educators, the program brought a collection of intriguing artifacts to Ms. Lupean’s classroom, sparking insightful discussions and deep reflections among the students.
Throughout the visit, students were paired up and given two artifacts to examine closely. They were tasked with making detailed observations and posing questions to further explore the historical context and significance of each piece. This interactive, hands-on approach encouraged students to take an active role in their learning and dive deeper into the stories behind the artifacts.
The sessions revealed that many of the artifacts originated from ancient Roman and Egyptian cultures. Students observed an impressive range of objects, including original letterpresses, ancient newspaper articles written in foreign languages, engraved messenger stones used for communication, and an intricately designed marketing poster dating back over 600 years. Recognizing the delicate nature of these items, the museum educators issued gloves to the students and explained that natural oils from human skin could deteriorate the fragile surfaces of these historic artifacts.
The Cleveland Museum of Art team shared that some of the artifacts were between 500 and 5,000 years old. This insight captivated the students and deepened their appreciation for the importance of historical preservation. Ms. Lupean and the museum staff took the opportunity to creatively connect these artifacts to the students’ potential career paths, emphasizing the unique styles of the letterpresses. The conversation shifted towards the significance of branding and how distinctive designs help businesses stand out—a valuable lesson linking ancient techniques with modern-day marketing.
The connection between ancient artifacts and contemporary applications sparked curiosity and animated discussions among the students. They eagerly engaged with the museum’s Art to Go team, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their reflections on what they had learned. It was an enriching experience that brought history to life and demonstrated how the need for communication and storytelling endures over time.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Lupean remarked, “It was a wonderful opportunity for the students and a unique way to teach them about the world around us. They saw firsthand that, although methods have evolved, there are always creative ways to convey a message—whether it’s marketing a business or simply jotting down a grocery list.”
This memorable visit from the Cleveland Museum of Art not only expanded the students’ understanding of history but also underscored the importance of creativity and adaptability in bridging the past with the present. It was an inspiring lesson on the enduring relevance of ancient practices in today’s dynamic world.