University of the People
BUS 1401 – Art History
Learning Journal Unit 1
NOVEMBER
Instructor: Maria Martinez Del Rio
, REFLECTION ON THE MEANING OF ART AND MY STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
IN STUDYING ART HISTORY
By Elvis, Kenya, East Africa
Art is a concept that has been interpreted in countless ways, and the Week 1 resources highlight
how broad and flexible its definition can be. After reading Belton’s Art History: A Preliminary
Handbook (n.d.), watching The Art Assignment videos (2020; 2018), and exploring the Khan
Academy lessons by Glass (n.d.) and others, I have developed a personal understanding of what
art means to me.
My Own Definition of Art
Based on these materials, I define art as a human expression that communicates ideas, emotions,
beliefs, or experiences through creativity, skill, and intention. Art does not need to be beautiful,
perfect, or even universally accepted as “art.” As The Art Assignment emphasizes in “The
Definition of Art” (2020), the meaning of art changes across time, cultures, and contexts.
Belton (n.d.) explains that art involves both conceptual meaning and formal elements such as
line, texture, shape, and color. This helped me understand that art is like a visual language—one
that can express ideas that words sometimes cannot.
The Khan Academy video “Is There a Difference Between Art and Craft?” (Morelli, n.d.)
further influenced my thinking. It argues that intention and cultural interpretation determine
whether something is seen as “art” or “craft.” This reinforced my belief that art is not defined by
materials or skill alone, but by meaning and purpose.
BUS 1401 – Art History
Learning Journal Unit 1
NOVEMBER
Instructor: Maria Martinez Del Rio
, REFLECTION ON THE MEANING OF ART AND MY STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
IN STUDYING ART HISTORY
By Elvis, Kenya, East Africa
Art is a concept that has been interpreted in countless ways, and the Week 1 resources highlight
how broad and flexible its definition can be. After reading Belton’s Art History: A Preliminary
Handbook (n.d.), watching The Art Assignment videos (2020; 2018), and exploring the Khan
Academy lessons by Glass (n.d.) and others, I have developed a personal understanding of what
art means to me.
My Own Definition of Art
Based on these materials, I define art as a human expression that communicates ideas, emotions,
beliefs, or experiences through creativity, skill, and intention. Art does not need to be beautiful,
perfect, or even universally accepted as “art.” As The Art Assignment emphasizes in “The
Definition of Art” (2020), the meaning of art changes across time, cultures, and contexts.
Belton (n.d.) explains that art involves both conceptual meaning and formal elements such as
line, texture, shape, and color. This helped me understand that art is like a visual language—one
that can express ideas that words sometimes cannot.
The Khan Academy video “Is There a Difference Between Art and Craft?” (Morelli, n.d.)
further influenced my thinking. It argues that intention and cultural interpretation determine
whether something is seen as “art” or “craft.” This reinforced my belief that art is not defined by
materials or skill alone, but by meaning and purpose.
