Collectively, this is The Entrenchment Agenda — Trump’s plans to dig in, cement power, and crush competition. Everything is about identifying competing centers of power and taking them over. Or, if conquest is not possible, neutralizing, sidelining, or intimidating them into submission.

That’s how authoritarianism thinks

Don’t think about the problem from start to finish. Don’t start today and ask “what should I do next?” Do the opposite. Start at the worst-case scenarios and work backwards.

The “keep AI out of the classroom” ship has long since sailed, unless you’re committed to doing everything on pen and paper.

Become a Pirate today!

I have a connection to each one of these artworks in a different way and wish that it was able to serve as a guide through the world of Surrealism.

O'keefe had use the horns of the Elk to help draw your eyes through out the painting creating movement

In this piece by kay sage there are long pillars shooting out of the sky that look to be old buildings. In the center of these pillars there are long drapes that sway in the wind. The clouds are light browns and very light green hues that look very calm as if there is no wind.

in this painting I feel there are key symbolisms that represents events that were happening during this time period.

The late 1920's to late 1930's had many well known artist being recognized for their surrealism works. Th

is a brilliant pice that is very lovely and evokes a excitement when viewiing.

The desert is completely empty and looks as if it is someones dream focusing on one particular moment or idea.

The building formations have no rythym and are done spiratically.

When you see the building with a Large scale sculpture in front you tend to feel of its importance. The building seems to act as a governance of the land with its larger than life red pillars that tower over the landscape

The lines tend to interecect each other towards the center of the piece leading to the importance of the statue

There is a long drastic shadow that leads from the top right to the bottom left corne

The sculptures in these paintings give me a feeling of being all alone and to be alert, everyone is going to have there own perception because it can be interpreted in many different ways

The cross that Jesus Christ is layed upon is hovering above with a tile floor with leading lines pointing to the background

n this painting you can see a man broken in half as if he is withering away. His head is in his hand with a look on his face as if he was about to scream.

he Calm Sea. Gustave Courbet was also specifically inspired by Johannesburg Vermeer and Rembrandt, Dutch artists who depicted their artwork as day-to-day activities and realistic objects

hip At Sea by Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazosky is a very beautiful piece of art. It has many forms of art, starting with asymmetry within the fact that there is a big mountain on the left side and a small ship on the right. The pirate ship has many curved lines within its shape, and it’s not considered a geometric or organic shape because of its complexity. However, the seagulls and the mountain are considered organic shapes. There are also analogous colors within this art piece; the yellow, green, and blue are all next to each other on the color. This artwork, although it does not have a lot going on there, is a good sense of movement and balance within it

which I bet Courbet would’ve been proud of.

Although it is very simple, it is still very beautiful with its scenery.

The art piece is also naturalistic and figurative within its natural and simple portrayal of the ocean and land.

shows ocean water touching the land with a little red house and moon in the scenery. It is very calm and peaceful. I

There is also a good amount of texture and detail. T

I chose this artwork because of its simplicity of colors but detailed, textured, and polished atmosphere.

Water, even though it is beautiful, can also be overwhelming at times. T

Form + Content) Sunset - Acapulco by Joseph Pennell portrays beautiful aromatic colors and textures. The art piece consists of complementary colors within the blue and orange tones, analogous colors with the yellow, orange, and red, and lastly, primary colors being red, blue, and yellow. There is also a horizontal line for the artwork to have a sense of balance and stability. There is also a good amount of light color values in this artwork. For content, the artist’s subject matter was to portray a vibrant sunset, which did, in fact, come through.

Acapulco by Joseph Pennell portrays a beautiful, vibrant sunset with many technical colors

Piet Mondrian, 1909

In Sunset Over Water by Joseph Mallord William Turner shows a great amount of color such as the complementary colors, being blue and orange. There is also a good amount of texture within the brush strokes within the sky and sand area. The sun is also an organic shape as well as the focal point of the artwork. There is also a great source of light, which allows for a cohesive atmosphere.

. Watching sunsets can also help reduce stress levels significantly because of its natural light, which stimulates and triggers the release of dopamine, a “feel good” effect on the body.

I want people to look at the art and not feel stressed or overwhelmed.

The ocean, to me, is such a regal place, and I think having a museum about it would be fun to create.

The phoenix rises from the ashes of the fire, new and reborn. It symbolizes healing and one's eternal fire to persevere through chaos and destructio

nd the artwork employs an intuitive perspective, making us feel a connection despite its lack of realism.

This artwork is an excellent example of chiaroscuro.

his pain came through in many of his last works that explored themes of grief, resilience, and acceptance. (Specific Context).

One subtext of this image is the unseen fire symbolizing youth and joy.

The visual line of the back of the body catches your eye, allowing you to follow across the body, which adds to the body's movement.

an example of possible silent battles we fight within ourselves—the movement of closure and self-identity that comes with strength.

Subtext). Many soldiers surround him to know if he is telling the truth. The ordeal of fire is a symbol of guilt or non-guilty. If you were innocent, you would come out of the trial uninjured because that would be God’s will. Peter looks unfazed by the flames and stands confidently in the fire.

Dore

The firebird is a powerful symbol of renewal and transformation, embodying themes of strength and growth.

I selected a sculpture of a fire dancer. She is cloaked in flames yet radiates both beauty and strength, serving as a powerful symbol of perseverance and determination.

(Specific Context). In this period (1903-1908), he saw high productivity in his commissioned portraits and took summer trips to visit his sister in the Swiss Alps, where he painted this alpine view landscape to take a much-needed break.

The Alpine mountains fall into this category due to their stunning chaos.

“Ear on Fire” uses vivid orange color in the background, contrasting the warm colors of the portrait's skin and shades of cool blue-purple colors in the hair and the light blue, almost white shades of one of her cheeks. The artist uses organic lines to subtly outline the face and the lines that outline the hands. The flame has high-key lighting to show it is bright and to draw the eye to it. The flame is being used as a directional force due to its emotional intent of feeling like you are being talked about when you aren’t present. With vivid colors and portrayal of contemporary social issues within the portrait genre, we see the style of Neo-Expressionism in this art piece.

pecific Context). In his artwork, Miro chose to use various star/ heavenly elements, organic shapes, and symbols, like in caves, for the viewer to explore the meaning for themselves subconsciously

(Subtext). The consistent characteristics in the form and content show the style of mannerist painters of the Renaissance.

Fire

The beauty of fire—as an artist itself, is a force that paints the world with its fiery palette, encouraging us to reflect on the delicate balance between creation and destruction.

Since losing my house in the Thomas fire, I have learned that fire can take away so much but can also give back in many ways.

he way it captivates the mind, the way the flames dance and breathe, and the pure strength of illuminating the darkness, but also a destroyer in ways. Fire means so many things to me personally.

The bodies of the people, in contrast to their malnourished state, are sculpted and muscular showing a strength

morphing into various creatures such as the toilet clam pearl or the eye behind it, the ocean encroaches into the bathroom further tightening the space.

he chaotic rhythm of them hinting at intense winds.

choppy waves, shown with lines parallel to their direction to emphasis their movement.

uses the ocean to emphasis the strength of the ship

the ocean is used to empower the the story of St. Peter.

cold colors which convey the chill of the ocean

chaotic repeated pattern that seems to be reaching for the boats down below.

The people and hull create an implied triangle.

The majority of the space is dedicated to the sky and sea which get dark as they approach the horizon, but there is nothing in expansive area that shows anything but endless sea

create an array of diagonal lines that lead the eyes to the foot. The two children have their faces obscured with their vision looking down at the foot

create an asymmetry,

The artwork creates an asymmetrical balance between the ocean and shore by leading a visual line between them,

However, the ripples in the ocean create very organic shapes that evoke a sense of stillnes

Yellow Seacoast uses warm colors from white to red to color the boats, land, and part of the sea. This gives a comforting tone to much of the seacoast. The sky is covered in distinct diagonal lines. The direction of the stripes and the greater amount of warm color on the right side gives a directional force of the sun and makes the heat of the sun more tangible. The sea contains curved lines of contrasting warm and cool colors which ease the warmth of the artwork.

From religious paintings depicting biblical scenes, a relaxing scene at the beach, or a piece viscerally depicting desperate pleas for survival, the ocean is culturally important from the most relaxed artworks to the cruelest.

To fully understand the diverse sea, one must view the ocean at each stage, whether it be the welcoming shores, the monstrous open ocean, or the serene calmness of an empty beach.

almost TV static appearance to his piece nearly looking unreal.

In opposition to the wild reckless ocean, this piece shows the complete and utter calmness in which 2 young boys are seen bathing in it.

On theme with the calm, we notice an implied texture in the middle foreground that appears to be a group of people crowded on the shoreline. This tells us that they are in a serene state, careless of the coming or going storm

The Calm

we can see a man holding who we can imagine to be his wife who if not dead is unconscious in his arms as a result of their previous life threatening situation.

This change was an example of Homer's shift in focus from depicting the relationship between humans and nature to focusing on the power of nature itself

n contrast to the moonlight brightness reflecting upon the midnight sea, we see how mesmerizing the horror can be.

our eyes get directed away from one tragedy and move to the chaos of the survivors just barely managing to emerge from the sea onto the craggy cliff of a nearby collection of rocks.

The further you venture from the shore and the mainland the closer you get to the powerful and viscous side of the ocean.

ibrant orange and yellow hues in contrast to the darker blues and purples envelope the viewer into a warm hug that feel as though they had just been covered in layers of sand

The gaggle of women

Content

The soothing calmness of the ocean provide a state of serenity to all who experience.

The lines of the trees give them a bigger and more important feel. The perspective of the trees being in the front also gives this feeling of importance. These connect to make the feeling of nature present. The colors of the sky and trees also contrast.

It can represent human fear and unsureness

The rocks in the front of the image contrast with the city in the background. The colors of the red city and the white rocks also play a large part. These colors are part of the form and give the contrast of city and nature. This form makes the painting more meaningful.

These details symbolize deeper meanings.

The context of this painting is showing the artists skills.

content) The content of this is shown with the tranquilness of the pond and the sky. The water is calm with little ripples which gives his message of peace. The trees also help to create a more peaceful scene. These details make the content of the painting conveying the message.

Form) The form of this painting is with the colors of the sunset contrasting with the colors of the water. This gives a very surreal feeling with the different colors. The proportions also play a large part with the tree being so close and everything else is farther. These all make the painting look very beautiful.

I also chose this because I am a photographer and I take lots of photos of nature. I find this to be comforting and that is why it is so close to my heart.

Context) Cliff Dwellers reflects the social and economic realities of its time, depicting the overcrowded tenements that defined life for many immigrant and working-class families in the city. Bellows painted this piece during the Progressive Era, a time when reformers were addressing urban poverty, poor housing conditions, and worker exploitation. The scene is bustling with life, but the crowded streets and deteriorating buildings underscore the lack of space and resources for those living in such environments. The muted colors and loose brushstrokes add a gritty texture to the painting, emphasizing the harshness of the conditions. Bellows’ work invites viewers to confront the struggles of urban life while acknowledging the perseverance of its inhabitants a theme that remains relevant in today’s discussions of income inequality and urban housing crises

Content) In Nighthawks, you see four people in a diner, but none of them seem to really be interacting. The diner is lit up with this harsh, almost unnatural light that makes it stand out from the dark, empty streets outside, creating a strong contrast. This lighting almost traps the people inside, making the space feel small and isolated despite being surrounded by the vastness of the city. The slouched body language and blank expressions of the figures really drive home the idea of emotional disconnection, they’re near each other physically but miles apart emotionally. Hopper’s use of clean, sharp lines and the diner’s glass window puts you in the role of an observer, like you’re looking into a private moment but still separated from it. The painting really nails how urban life can feel lonely, even when you’re surrounded by others.

Nighthawks

Through this piece, Lawrence gives voice to the resilience of African Americans while acknowledging the hardships of urban life—a powerful reflection of survival and adaptation in tough environments

From crowded tenements to bustling streets, these works illustrate the grit, resilience, and moments of isolation that define the city experience. Together, they highlight the evolution of urban life while showing how its core struggles and stories remain timeless.

The Grit and Grind of City Life

reflections in the lake to enhance the peaceful atmosphere being conveyed in his work

(Content):Misty Morning depicts a peaceful and atmospheric landscape shrouded in early morning mist. The scene shows a dense forest or a quiet meadow, with trees partially veiled in fog. The mist softens the outlines of the trees, blending their forms into the muted sky. The background may show dew-covered grasses or shrubs, enhancing the sense of freshness and calm associated with dawn. The overall mood is serene and contemplative, capturing the fleeting beauty of nature as is transitions from night to day.

unlight filters through the foliage, creating different patterns of light and shadow on the ground.

Take a Nap by the Lake

This contrast of warmth and chill evokes a peaceful and calm mood

There are no signs of human presence, reinforcing the sense of pristine and uninhabited natural world.

In the background, the faint outline of a village or farm buildings emerges through the mist.

Meeting up with a friend or a lover makes this outdoor escape more thrilling.

The setting of the painting shows a tree lined walkway. There is a single person that is walking on the left side staying close to the trees, perhaps trying to stay away from running into other people. The colors that are used here analogous with the blend of yellows, oranges, and greens used. It makes the colors blend together giving it an atmospheric perspective. Although you sometimes enjoy the company of others sometimes the company of your own thoughts are all you need. Van Gogh shows us how enjoying your own time with nature can be a beautiful moment.

Content, Form

When we see this painting we are reminded that taking time out of our busy schedules to take a walk has been around for centuries.

If Monet can create hundreds of pieces depicting his love for the outdoors you can only imagine how much time he spent outside.

Sometimes you don't need to go far and simple walk outside can clear your mind and make you feel at peace

My Sweet Escapes

represent 15 unique symbolisms that plants can represent. This is just scratching the surface however, as there are hundreds of plant species worldwide that carry different meanings

For example, this piece depicts two laurel trees.

This painting utilizes the diagonal lines of the tiled floor to create a linear perspective. In addition, implied lines created by the gazes of the angels and the Virgin put emphasis on the Virgin's belly, which holds Christ. The emphasis on the Virgin's stomach is also created with light and color, as her clothing is a bright white that is contrasted by her dark blue overcoat. While looking at her stomach, the vase of white lilies catches the eye. These lilies represent the purity of the Virgin.

With all of this potential food around him, Christ is depicted to appear indifferent.

While these pieces depict immense beauty, they still depict wheat and cypress trees, which have strong connotations with death and the cycle of life.

In this painting, many shapes are created

Content

The old, fading tire tracks also allude to the idea that this field once saw war, and is now slowly beginning to heal

It also fits with the idea of death because it depicts an old road going through a field, with poppies emerging around the tire tracks

The symbolism of this piece could mean that love (the lilacs and peonies) fills an empty soul (the barren room).

Although cropped out due to formatting, this tapestry is almost 4 times as tall as it is wide. These dimensions are used to depict a great mountain range, creating dimension and a scale for the subject matter below. The artist also does this by creating atmospheric perspective, as the distant mountains turn a misty grey. The artist primarily used brown to create mountains, trees, and buildings, but dotted the scene with splashes of red and yellow to depict a vast garden of chrysanthemums. The medium of this piece is a hanging scroll with ink and color. Because of this, lines are purposeful and bol

Putting it all together, this painting literally represents the saying "joy up to one's eyebrows".

contains botanical imagery.

Additionally, this exhibit could encourage viewers to appreciate plants not just because they look pretty, but also because of the meaning they can carry

I chose this theme because I am very interested in botany and the importance plants have had on humans throughout history.

Emotions are a big part of our everyday life. When you wake up in the morning do you wake up happy to start your day? When your shift at work ends are you happy to go home?

because I can relate to Mario

defiantly

The couple is the focal point. Their kiss symbolizes love. The couples pose is extremely natural and relaxed. Very genuine. The light and shadows add depth to the image. Brassai captured a real moment of their life.

The title reminds me of when I get a kiss and feel at peace typically when I am having a bad day

This painting is so adorable to me

Vibrant colors The red and green clothing as well as the dark background makes the lovers stand out.

facial expressions show the emotional pain she was feeling from being abandoned.

Rich dark colors are used to enhance the intense atmosphere of the scene. The use of red, brown, and black add a dramatic effect.

The bright green bathtub draws your attention to Marat. When I wear my green jewelry it reminds me of growth and also sickness

FORM

I have always been an emotional person and I try to understand how others might feel or why it is they are feeling some type of way. I want to feel the sadness and worry.

Eternal Emotion

This piece also uses linear perspective, emphasizing the vastness of death and how there is no escape. The vertical placemen

Death is personified as a skeleton and feels very close and intimate in the painting due to the black background, which pushes the figures forward.

personification of death. Despite this, putting them in a garden, which symbolizes life or birth, helps to show them in a gentle and kind way that contrasts with their darker nature.

Form

Impressionism, which is reflected in the lack of details like in the hands and bed.

Form

The terrible act from Ivan may serve as an allegory of the violence and instability of the Tsars of Russia

Rather than letting it control them, I want them to live their lives to the fullest.

which signifies different times in one's life where it can be used, and in which what the settings look like, in order for one to turn towards it.

Family is also a big thing that people around the world use as a form of healing, much like various different holidays where they tend to gather with each other and spend time with everyone they know

. The overall message of the artwork is meant to connect the subtle happiness to nature, as it shows that it must have been a long path, to which peace has finally arrived.

verything on Earth connects to each other, and that we are all one. The

It can be seen as a "mirror" and seeing that the possibility is still there, just like it always is.

The overall message shows the clear path towards the pair, much like how everything is colorful around them, showing the raw beauty of the Earth around them

These all encapsulate different sceneries where nature begins to ground you, after experiencing tenseness and anxiousness.

The symbolism through subtext, more specifically a hidden meaning of knitting memories together, just like how yarn is woven together

very jarring thing to touch whether you are prepared or not. This is an implied meaning as it can jolt energy up as it can feel very unexpected, much like how it feels to come to one's senses after feeling low.

Just like an ice bath, colder things are proven to make you feel more awake. This is seen in feeling the most alive when in a colder environment.

The symbolism through allegory is seen through the boat making it past the rock ridden waters, which symbolizes making it out to the other side, and defeating any troubles that one may have had on their journey.

The quietness and overall heavy feelings still linger throughout this room, but it's sat with throughout the entirety of it. The sheer quietness one sits in after unpleasant situations can be the loudest of them all.

The implied texture is seen in the blue lines that is supposed to imply running water that doesn't end: much like how anxiety feels

especially since it can be quite hard to hide it.

Anxiety is a well known emotion that's felt, especially when we feel unsure about things. Looking into the artworks content, the subject matter is the woman with a grim and unsettling look on her face, followed by men who have a distorted look on their faces. There seems to be at least five men who are present. The allegory is seen in the woman as she sees to be holding the men's emotions, which is undoubtedly something that anxiety implements into one's mindsets as it can make you carry and hold those emotions for others unknowingly. The form is seen in the sky, as it shows swirl-like colors, which can seem that way due to a cloudy memory, as you can't exactly tell which way the sky is moving. The colors are seen in a blended way, so it's an in between feeling. The symbolism viewed from the woman and the group of men on the bridge, which also showcases the unsettling and quiet feeling that further adds to the image as well.

The impact I would like for my museum is one that allows you to think.

"white noise"

Each of these works tells a story about the society that created it, emphasizing leadership, religion, and historical events.

have gained a more intimate understanding of Japanese

Yucho Kubota was a master of the Japanese art form of textiles. He was renowned for the revival of ancient techniques in his work.

Also, the (gender difference): while men and women wore these, the design and the decoration were based on gender; women often featured bright, vibrant colors while men were made more simple and subtle

(Form) The form of this kimono can be seen in its shape and silhouette. It has a straight-lined design with long sleeves and a wraparound style. In the fabric kimonos are made from a variety of fabrics, often luxurious ones, like silk, brocade, or satin. Colors and Patterns, as well as the color and design of the kimono, usually indicate the season, occasion, and social class. Obi, the broad sash, is a critical component of the kimono, tied at the back with elaborate knots and bows

which makes the viewers able to feel the pattern, and the pattern itself flows very nicely with soft natural lines within the pattern.

Japanese ceramics belong in this museum because historically, Japanese ceramics have been far superior to any other. This beautiful art form is seen as a style that the Japanese artist perfected from the techniques, shapes, and forms. They are indeed masters of the style

It is also a reminder to all of us to look at the beauty of nature.

Hasui, in his delight for soft breezes, evokes a poetic lightness in his pieces, which are often thought to be soothing, a respite for those caught up in the busy day-to-day of city life.

This piece shows the viewer the beauty but also the harshness of mother nature,

They have the oldest pottery practices dated back in history, are widely known for their art in pottery worldwide, and are superior to most. Japanese paintings also had their unique style of hanging scrolls, folded screens, folding fans, and fusuma (sliding doors on walls).

want people who view my museum to have a better understanding of the connections art has with everything. Music is just one example of something being portrayed in art. I hope my viewers learned somethings about the connections and similarities between music and art. I hope people who are interested in music or art, now have more of a appreciation in the opposite that maybe they didn't have before

William Michael Harnett

This beautiful piece is simple, yet really elegant and shows the simplicity of still life with a connection of music.

Both still life and music can capture moments

One thing with the form is the balance of this piece. Everything looks pretty symmetrical, the actual sizes of the women and what they are holding is all the same for the most part.

I absolutely love this painting. Once I saw it, I knew it needed to be in my museum.

This makes the painting look more realistic. The main parts where we see the shadow is the left end of the sheet music, and below the trumpet that is underneath the top instrument.

think this contributes to the overall mood of the piece. T

The lines are pretty smooth and all different thickness and size. The use of lines takes up most of the space in the image. The musicians take up almost all of the space, with the lines that have been used to create them as well.

The colors, structure, and other things are different, but the actual themes themselves are similar.

This is important to me because music is something that is really important and prominent in my life. Even though my talents lie elsewhere when it comes to anything musical, I have grown to really appreciate it and love all kinds of music

hope you feel the passion behind these different movements. These artworks show how people, even during the hardest times, never gave up and fought for their right to be treated as equals. I hope this museum inspires you to learn more about these movements and reminds you that change is possible. Even when the world feels tough or unfair, there are always people who care and are willing to fight for what’s right. Let their stories remind you that hope and action can lead to a better future for everyone.

he texture feels rough and gritty, showing the harshness of the world around the person

The repetitive use of dark, unlit bulbs contrasts with the few glowing ones, symbolizing loss, awareness, and resilience during a time of widespread ignorance and fear about the epidemic

The use of color is striking, with high-contrast hues like yellow and black to draw attention and emphasize the urgency of the message.

Haring, an openly gay artist, used his art as a way to rethink their way of the LGBTQ community with the AIDS epidemic, encouraging people to confront the truth about the virus and its impact.

Theres art that address the impact of the AIDS crisis, remembering those who were lost and raising awareness about its effects. The art expresses love, courage, and empowerment, turning hardship into something beautiful.

This work changes old traditions, where white women were often shown in similar scenes with a Black maidservant like Olympia 1856.

The symbols in the art, like the halo and robe, are inspired by the traditional Virgin, but Lopez shows herself as a powerful, real woman. The cultural values of feminism and Chicano pride are shown by making the Virgin feel more human and less like an idealized image

The implied content focuses on the feminist message of reclaiming overlooked women’s contributions,

ntersectionality is also very important as it shows that not every woman experience is the same thing and it makes more room for women from different walks of life.

he artwork reflects the tension and the need for change at the time

The symbols, like Ruby walking past angry crowds, show the hatred and resistance to integration. The cultural values of equality and justice are shown by showing the struggles of those fighting for civil rights. The artwork calls attention to the problem of racism in America.