School is in session!

Tomorrow is the first of many school visits that I will do this year. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to visit art teachers and their classrooms! It is such a joy to spend time in classrooms that are abuzz with wonder, chatter and art making. Art education is an important component in the education ecosystem. It is crucial to the overall health and effectiveness of the education ecosystem. 

Here are some key points to ponder:

1. Art education provides a well-rounded education by engaging students in creative and expressive activities beyond traditional academic subjects. It helps develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence, fostering a more holistic educational experience.

2.  Not all students excel in traditional subjects like math and science. Art classes cater to different learning styles, allowing students who may struggle in other areas to shine and thrive. Artistic expression can help students find their unique strengths and talents.

3.Art education has been linked to improved cognitive development. Creating art requires observation, analysis, interpretation, and decision-making – all of which enhance cognitive abilities. This can lead to better performance in other academic areas as well.

4.  The world is rapidly evolving, and creative thinking and problem-solving skills are increasingly important. Art teachers encourage students to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and approach challenges from multiple perspectives. This fosters a culture of innovation.

5. Art provides a medium for students to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a safe and constructive way. This can be especially important for students who may struggle to communicate through traditional means.

6.  Art education exposes students to different cultures, historical periods, and artistic movements. This broadens their understanding of the world, encourages cultural appreciation, and promotes tolerance and open-mindedness.

7. Art classes offer opportunities for success and accomplishment that can boost students' self-confidence and self-esteem. Positive feedback from teachers and peers can have a significant impact on a student's overall well-being.

8. Art projects often involve collaboration and teamwork, fostering a sense of community and belonging among students. This social aspect of art education helps create a positive and inclusive school environment.

9. Art education can help bridge achievement gaps by engaging students who might otherwise struggle in traditional subjects. This can lead to improved overall academic performance and a higher likelihood of graduation.

10.  Art classes challenge students to set goals, experiment with different techniques, and persevere through challenges. These experiences contribute to their personal growth and development, preparing them for future life endeavors.

11.  Many creative fields, such as design, architecture, media, and entertainment, rely on skills nurtured in art classes. By supporting art education, schools contribute to the preparation of future professionals in these industries.

12.  Engaging in artistic activities can be therapeutic and help reduce stress and anxiety. Providing students with an outlet for creative expression can contribute to their overall mental well-being.

Supporting public school art teachers enriches the education ecosystem by fostering creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness. It helps create more well-rounded, resilient, and adaptable individuals who are better prepared to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Street Wisdom...

 

Here we go!

Fire escape ladders are a great metaphor for preparedness, new beginnings, safety, progression, excitement, and challenges.

Similarly, the school year is a journey that presents its own set of challenges, pushing students to develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and determination.

I am so ready to harness the energy and enthusiasm that awaits the 2023-2024 school year! 

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! 

Untilled

Last weekend I was visiting the MOMA and happened upon a quite thought provoking sculpture that ahs me a buzz! In the sculpture garden I found Pierre Huyghe's sculpture "Untilled  [Reclining Female Nude]" is a thought-provoking and unconventional artwork that challenges traditional notions of sculpture and the relationship between art and its environment. Created in 2012, the sculpture features a life-sized figure of a reclining female nude made from an amalgamation of various materials, including resin, wax, plants, and living organisms. 

This artwork challenges the conventional notions of sculpture by integrating living elements and highlighting the significance of the environment in shaping the artwork's meaning and appearance. It invites viewers to consider the fluidity of art, the connection between humans and nature, and the interplay of creation and decay in the constantly evolving world around us.

 The sculpture's presence within a living ecosystem transforms the viewer's experience from passive observation to an engaging and introspective encounter with the interconnectedness of art and the environment.