What if you focused in on holiday-themed work by master artists? Norman
Rockwell, Currier and Ives (I know they are not the artists but there are
several prints depicting the theme), or illustrators; Chris van Allsburg, Dr.
Seuss, Lois Ehlert, Eric Carle, etc.? Then you could have the students do a
work with the subject being how they celebrate seasonal holidays. A
painting, illustration or collage. They could write a poetry piece to go
with the work.