Lesson 1 - LearningThroughMuseums

• Unlike Bedcover Entitled “Map”, this textile provides specific details relating to each state in the
Midwest. The artist uses a series of symbols that represent facts and observations about the people,
climate and natural resources specific to the area. Here, we learn about the native plants and
animals, industries, popular modes of transportation, architecture, communities, and fashion of
the time and from the region.
• Similar to Bedcover Entitled “Map”, the artist has used color to identify specific elements of the
map: state borders and names appear in black and rivers and lakes are in blue. This use of color is
an example of the universal language of maps.
• The inclusion of resources and its focus on the Midwest region also classify Hanging Entitled
“Map of the Middle West” as a thematic and resource map because it reflects common themes or
ideas associated with the region and highlights its specific resources.
You will find additional useful information from the following sources:
Web sites
• The Art Institute of Chicago
Information about Hanging Entitled “Map of the Middle West”:
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/104656
• Information about Bedcover Entitled “Map”:
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/158432
Additional Web sites
• Map Quilts by Leah Evans:
http://leahevanstextiles.com/
• Enchanted Learning.com—United States: Facts, Maps and State Symbols:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/
• Map Symbol Library:
http://www.map-symbol.com/sym_lib.htm
• Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago MAPS: Finding Our Place in the World
(exhibition, 2007-2008):
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/maps/index.html
• Color Landform Maps:
http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/states.html
• National Geographic Map Collection:
http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/maps/print-collection-index.html
108 • Lesson 7: How to Read Symbols