Sara Olds

BA - Humanities

MA - American Fine & Decorative Arts

Sara Olds received her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Brigham Young University, and her Masters of Arts in American Fine and Decorative Arts from The Sotheby's Institute in New York. Sara also completed training in Arts Integration at The Crystal Bridges Museum....

Along with her focused study in business, her academic and work careers have given her unique insight into the practical application of the arts within various academic disciplines. Her interest in education blossomed during her master's program, when she recognized the failings of the traditional school system to encourage and teach individuals to learn to learn, and love to learn. She also became keenly aware of the Humanities' unique ability to unite information from various fields and solidify understanding of new material. The Humanities also indirectly teach skills for life, including critical analysis, empathy, and tolerance to name a few.

In addition to her love of the arts, Sara loves to teach. She has taught everything from swim lessons, to voice & piano lessons, to operating her own summer camp. Inspired by her second grade teacher, Sara believes learning is, and should be fun!

The Humanities Through The Ages

Ages: 12+

Subject Focus: Understanding the history of Art • Music • Big Ideas

Homework: Yes, research on our topics

If taking this class for High School Elective Credit, additional homework will be assigned.

Step into a time machine of creativity and critical thinking! The Humanities Through The Ages is an immersive, project-based course that explores the vibrant world of human expression across history. From the cave paintings of Lascaux to the digital art of today, students will trace the evolution of visual art, music, and philosophy through the major eras of Western and world history.

Each unit will spotlight a different time period—Ancient Civilizations, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Modern Age, and beyond—through the lens of the humanities.

Students will explore:

Art – From Greek sculpture to Impressionist painting and modern street art
Music – From medieval chants to classical symphonies to protest songs and pop
Ideas – From Plato’s Republic to Enlightenment thinking to contemporary movements

Students will:

Create original artwork inspired by historical styles
Listen to and analyze music from different cultures and centuries
Discuss influential ideas and how they shaped (and were shaped by) their times
Work on collaborative and independent projects, like building a Renaissance artist portfolio, curating a mini-exhibit, or composing a simple musical piece using digital tools

Skills Developed:

Historical and cultural understanding
Artistic and musical literacy
Critical thinking and self-expression
Research and presentation skills

Whether your student loves drawing, composing, debating big ideas—or just wants to understand the world in a deeper way—this course will inspire them to see how the arts and humanities have shaped who we are and where we’re going.

Contact

Sara Olds:

saralynn.olds@gmail.com