The Bohemian Brigade Art Program at Tredegar

From The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar’s Facebook page: Want an artistic way to spend the day? Don’t miss The Bohemian Brigade art program Wednesday July 18 (Middle School) and July 25 (Homeschoolers). Cost is $8 per participant. Materials are included. Read on for details. Contact skane at tredegar.org to register. During the […]

July 16, 2012; 1:50 PM • by Oregon Hill

From The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar’s Facebook page:

Want an artistic way to spend the day?

Don’t miss The Bohemian Brigade art program Wednesday July 18 (Middle School) and July 25 (Homeschoolers).
Cost is $8 per participant. Materials are included. Read on for details. Contact skane at tredegar.org to register.

During the Civil War the art of photography was still new. The long exposures times meant cameras couldn’t capture movement and photos couldn’t be reproduced in the newspaper.
The job of providing the public with images of battle as well as scenes of camp life fell to brave men known as Special Artists. These Special Artists called themselves the “Bohemian Brigade” and with pencil, crayon, and brush they provided the world with firsthand depictions of the American Iliad.

In this program students will learn of the adventurous lives of such Special Artists as Alfred Waud and Frank Vizetelly. Then they will take up the tools of the Special Artist themselves to improve their skills under the guidance of an experienced art teacher.