Thoughts on Open Studios with Art Educators

 

Art education plays a crucial role in nurturing creativity and fostering artistic skills in students. However, it is equally essential to support the creative growth of art educators themselves. Offering Open Studio time for art educators can be a game-changer in personal and professional development. 

Teachers who are also artists often find themselves caught in the demands of lesson planning, grading, and administrative tasks, leaving limited time for their own artistic pursuits. By providing dedicated studio time, it is an opportunity to rekindle the creative spark and pursue their artistic passions. This not only benefits their well-being but also revitalizes their teaching. This time has also allowed art educators to explore new techniques, experiment with different mediums, and develop their skills. 

The Open Studio serves as a catalyst for collaboration by fostering the exchange of ideas, the creation of joint projects, resource sharing, skill development, and community building. This collaborative environment not only enriches the artistic experiences of educators but also enhances the quality of art education for students and contributes to the overall vitality of the local art community.

Traveling Sketchbook

This past week I was sent a traveling sketchbook, a wonderful diversion from all the insanity that is our world right now...such a productive way to process the events of the day away from a screen. The directions were simple: work in the book for eight days, and on the eighth day mail it to another artist. 

Artist Unknown

I really enjoyed perusing the past pages and the imagery and ideas presented by the artists before me. A delicious variety of media and themes... social issues such as voting, the pandemic and more recently vaccines and politics. 

Artist: Jason Lord

During the eight days, I used cuttings from the newspapers detailing the very important and historic democratic win in Georgia on January 6th overshadowed by the Insurrection, followed by mounting pandemic news and then the 2nd Impeachment. I love to use priority mail stickers, a gelli plate, color pencils, gel and paint pens.  There was no shortage of fodder or media for me. 

Ebb & Flow of Covid              (one of my contributions)

It was such a nice way to spend my evenings, I was a little sad to send it on today. The sketchbook is on its way to a dear friend that is also an artist and I am sure it will be nice company for her during the Inauguration and an escape from what could be a nutty week. She will also enjoy the opportunity and send it on to another artist to continue its journey.

The beginning of this year is off to such a tumultuous start,  this was a cathartic diversion. I wish there was a way to see it when it is complete.