ARTiFAX

I am very proud to share that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has launched ARTiFAX, a new art recognition program created exclusively for FCPS teen artists in grades 7–12 enrolled in visual art programs. Designed to honor artistic excellence, creative growth, and student voice, ARTiFAX highlights the depth and diversity of visual arts education across the school division.

This new recognition program was imagined, designed, and produced by the visual arts team in the fine arts office and middle school and high school art department chairs. We could not have done this without the incredible support of our art faculty across grade levels. They served as judges, digital asset processors, installation teams,  members of the ceremony workforce and most importantly facilitators assisting and encouraging students as they submitted their artwork. It was a monumental undertaking that began in August.

The ARTiFAX Awards recognizes exceptional achievement to student-submitted artworks. Submissions were reviewed and judged across a range of categories, including Artistry, Authentic Voice, Collaborative Artwork, Creative Process, Cultural Context, Emerging Artist, Reflective Voice, Senior Portfolios, and Thematic Concept, ensuring that both technical skill and meaningful artistic intent were celebrated.

In addition to category awards, every participating school selected a “Best In School” honoree, further emphasizing the program’s commitment to recognizing excellence at the school level while elevating student artists countywide.

An exhibition featuring award-winning ARTiFAX artworks will be on view at Northern Virginia Community College’s Ernst Community Cultural Center in Annandale from February 12 through March 13. The ARTiFAX Awards Ceremony and reception was held this past  Wednesday, February 25. It was graciously supported by our community! Standing room only left in the auditorium during the ceremony. 

ARTiFAX affirms Fairfax County Public Schools’ ongoing commitment to arts education and to providing meaningful platforms that recognize, support, and amplify the creative voices of young artists.

Artist Teacher Exhibition: Text Messages

 The Workhouse Arts Center will be buzzing this Saturday evening with the festivities of Second Saturday. Join me at our reception in Building #16 upstairs in McGuire Woods Gallery.  Enjoy the artwork of the very talented FCPS artist teachers! And our new superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid will be on hand to give remarks at the reception.  

 

Artist Teacher Exhibition 2020

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Fine Arts Office is proud to present its 13th annual Artist Teacher Exhibition. This art exhibition recognizes the creativity and technical expertise of FCPS art teachers who were invited to submit original recent works for this exhibition. 

The participating artists have sought solace in the creative process as a response to the coronavirus crisis and ensuing quarantine lifestyle that stemmed from it. The resulting artwork of the 76 FCPS artist teachers who participated is extraordinary and we are very much looking forward to sharing it with you. 

This year has been challenging; showing the artwork in a gallery as we have done in years past was not an option. Instead, the Artist Teacher Exhibition 2020 is presented here as a digital gallery experience. Please take a moment and enjoy the artistry of FCPS educators.

We also got a little love from the local news! Here is the link to that story. 

Work Crew

Today was the first day since March 13th that I have seen my colleagues in person! We definitely looked a little different with our face masks, but what a wonderful sight!  Our regional Scholastic Art show was featured in a gallery at the local community college in February. We were lucky enough to have the reception and awards night before the world was put on pause. Our community shut down here on March 13th, leaving the exhibition up until now. We were finally given clearance to take down the show this week, so today we met and happily masked uninstalled the show. I can honestly say, I was thrilled when my alarm sounded off this morning! I miss my fellow art teachers. 

Let me introduce you (ongoing series)

Let me introduce you to Mrs. Cho, she is new to the art department at Bonnie Brae Elementary school. Most recenlty she taught art and 4th grade in Korea, we are so lucky she has returned to our county. Currently Mrs. Cho is really embracing the challenge of teaching in a pod space. It is a welcoming environment that inspires curious minds! 

#fcpsart

#fcpsartonaquest

#letmeintroduceyoutofcpsart

Experiential Development

FCPS Photography teachers had the opportunity this past fall to throwback to the 1850's and enjoy the meticulous labor of making our own wet plates!  Photographer Daniel Leocadi crafted a unique one day workshop tailored to photography educators. We learned the rich history of the craft, the cameras used and experienced the breathtaking development first hand. 

My favorite part was absolutely watching the photographs develop right before our eyes! 

We need more opportunity for experiential development. When we put ourselves in a space where we are challenged and engaged we thrive!  We are continuously asking our students to make...we must also make, it truly enhances our professional practice as educators.  

Artist Teacher Exhibition 2017

Tickled to be a part of this Artist Teacher show again! 

The opportunity to share my work never gets old. Pleased to have my artwork hanging along side my fellow art educators.

Join us Saturday night for the reception at the Workhouse.

Celebrating Regional Scholastic Art Awards!

Artist Teacher Show

 

 

 

Artist Teacher reception is this Saturday night at the Workhouse! I have two pieces in the show! Both fully functioning pinhole cameras (see below)!

 

 

Pinhole camera made from a trash can, aptly named Trash Cam.

The other pinhole camera is ceramic hand built slab cam, named Moxie!

I am delighted to be included in this wonderful opportunity! It is so cool to show with your peers and the people you work with every day! Kudos to Adam Hatchl for having his photograph selected for the postcard!