Commitment to the Craft

The first days of school are upon us! This week I had the privilege to be part of the welcome week for our new art teachers. It was delightful to meet this enthusiastic cohort of teachers with a vast range of teaching experiences and life stories.  There is a magic about this time of year. We are so fortunate to have this week set aside to connect with our newest colleagues. The week's events relies on the leadership and expertise of our experienced teachers to lay a strong foundation for the school year. 

In art and education, mentorship is a beacon that illuminates the path of growth, understanding, and inspiration. Just as a skilled artist wields a brush to transform a blank canvas into a masterpiece, so too do experienced art teachers wield their wisdom to assist and support new art teachers. 

Untitled (Studio) (2014), Kerry James Marshall, is a monumental picture depicting an artist’s workspace—was recently acquired by The Met. A veritable catalogue of the genres of painting, it combines still life, portraiture, and landscape with trompe l’oeil and abstraction, and includes many references to the Old Masters. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

I was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art recently and happened upon this Kerry James Marshall painting. It really stopped me in my tracks. Immediately I was thinking about my high school art teacher, the eclectic studio classroom and the profound impact she had on my life. Then reading the wall plaque for more context it referenced Marshall's relationship with artist Charles White. So, I did a little digging...so pardon my bird walk for a moment...

Kerry James Marshall was introduced to Charles White's work during his early years as an art student. White's artistic approach and dedication to addressing social issues resonated deeply with Marshall's own concerns about representation and identity. 

Marshall admired White's ability to convey emotion and humanity through art, and this admiration extended to the way White used his art as a form of activism and social commentary. White's emphasis on storytelling, symbolism, and the power of representation left a lasting impression on Marshall's artistic practice.

Beyond artistic influence, there's a personal connection between Kerry James Marshall and Charles White. Marshall had the opportunity to meet and interact with White during his early years as an artist. White became a mentor figure to Marshall, offering guidance and insights into navigating the art world as an African-American artist. Their interactions allowed Marshall to deepen his understanding of the importance of using art as a platform for addressing social issues and advocating for change.

So all of that to give a heartfelt shout out to all the art teachers who embrace the role of mentorship: you are the architects of inspiration, the cultivators of talent, and the keepers of artistic heritage. Your mentorship is the masterpiece that keeps on evolving—a masterpiece that enriches the education landscape of tomorrow.

Mentorship is a collaborative creation, a space where skills are honed, insights are shared, and the craft of teaching is elevated to an art form in itself. This partnership benefits both parties in developing their teaching craft. 

As the welcome week is coming to a close, I know our newest colleagues are exhausted and feel like they are swimming in information, but I promise you this, they know they have a support system!