SYLLABUS - Blockchain for Online Art Galleries

🎓 SYLLABUS: Blockchain for Online Art Galleries

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Module 1: Blockchain Fundamentals

Goal: Understand what blockchain is and how it’s relevant to art sales.

• Topics:

  • What is a blockchain? (decentralization, immutability, consensus)

  • Smart contracts

  • Public vs. private blockchains

  • NFTs and token standards (ERC-721, ERC-1155)

  • Web3 basics

Resources:

• Ethereum.org Beginner’s Guide

• Blockchain Basics on Coursera (by University at Buffalo)

• NFT School

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Module 2: Blockchain Use Cases in Art

Goal: Learn how others use blockchain in the art world.

• Topics:

  • NFT-based ownership and provenance

  • On-chain vs. off-chain metadata and media

  • Royalty enforcement via smart contracts

  • Wallets and digital identity (Metamask, WalletConnect)

  • Marketplaces (OpenSea, Zora, Rarible)

Resources:

• Zora Protocol Docs

• OpenSea Developer Docs

• Mirror.xyz for inspiration on publishing/art ownership

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👨‍💻 

Module 3: Tools & Stack for Web3 Development

Goal: Get your local dev setup ready to talk to the blockchain.

• Topics:

  • Web3.py (Python blockchain interaction)

  • Web3.js or Ethers.js (JS frontend interactions)

  • Metamask & WalletConnect integration

  • Testnets (Goerli, Sepolia)

  • Smart contract dev tools (Hardhat, Foundry, Remix)

Resources:

• Web3.py Docs

• Ethers.js Docs

• CryptoZombies (gamified Solidity course)

• Hardhat Quickstart

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⚙️ 

Module 4: Integrating Blockchain with Django

Goal: Connect your Django backend with the blockchain.

• Topics:

  • Using Web3.py to mint NFTs or verify ownership

  • Storing blockchain transaction hashes in Django models

  • Creating a hybrid model (e.g., NFT metadata hosted on your server)

  • Building a minting dashboard or verification tool in Django Admin

  • Serving signed metadata (e.g., IPFS hashes)

Resources:

• Django + Web3 Boilerplate Example

• IPFS Docs

• Pinata for hosting IPFS metadata

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Module 5: Frontend + Wallet Interactions

Goal: Let users connect their wallets and interact with your smart contracts.

• Topics:

  • Connecting Metamask using Web3Modal / Wagmi / RainbowKit (JS libraries)

  • Displaying user NFTs and allowing purchase/minting

  • Sign-in with Ethereum (SIWE)

Resources:

• RainbowKit + Wagmi + Next.js Starter

• SIWE Protocol

• Alchemy’s Web3 Bootcamp

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Module 6: Testing & Deployment

Goal: Make sure your blockchain features are production-ready.

• Topics:

  • Deploying smart contracts (Goerli → Ethereum Mainnet)

  • Setting up a test environment (Ganache, Hardhat)

  • Securing private keys (env variables, vaults)

  • Gas optimization

  • Legal considerations (copyright, royalties, terms)

Resources:

• OpenZeppelin Contracts

• Chainlink for randomness/price feeds

• Infura or Alchemy for node access

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🧭 Where to Begin?

1. Start with Ethereum.org’s beginner docs to get your footing.

2. Do CryptoZombies for a gentle and fun intro to Solidity.

3. Build a simple “mint an NFT” app on testnet using Remix or Hardhat.

4. Write a Django view that interacts with that contract using Web3.py.

5. Use IPFS to store and serve metadata/images of the artwork.

Once you’ve done these, you’ll have a solid foundation to experiment with real blockchain features—whether it’s minting NFTs for artwork, tracking provenance, or building a mini OpenSea inside your gallery.

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If you want, I can also:

• Help you brainstorm potential blockchain features for your gallery

• Build out a simple Web3 prototype app with Django

• Review smart contract code or even help you write it

🧠 Suggested Learning Path (Solidity-Focused):

1. CryptoZombies – Gamified Solidity intro

   👉 https://cryptozombies.io/

2. Remix IDE – In-browser Solidity playground

   👉 https://remix.ethereum.org/

3. Build with Hardhat – Local dev + deploy smart contracts

   👉 https://hardhat.org/

4. Deploy on Polygon testnet (Mumbai)

   With a contract that mints NFTs or tracks print sales

5. Connect it to Django

   Use Web3.py to call your contracts, and hook into Django views or even admin actions