James Rees and I spent several productive weeks
together this summer. First we reviewed AP portfolios,
sifting through the some of the best high school artists in
the country for work to be included on the AP poster. We
sampled Louisville cuisine and made friends with art
teachers from many different places. Unfortunately, he
would not let me include any dragons, anime, or cute
kittens on the AP Poster. We spent a second week
together at the Teacher Institute of Contemporary Art
(TICA) with another group of high school teachers. TICA
gives teachers two weeks of intensive studio art experi-
ences working with faculty from the School of the Art
Institute of Chicago and with well known visiting artists.
Both experiences made me appreciate once again the
enormous dedication and generosity of high school art
teachers. These experiences also reminded me of the
value of making connections between university faculty
and college faculty. These connections are important for
our own growth and for our students.
I work in the Visual Art Department at BYU, but
most of my teaching life was spent as a high school
teacher in New York. Jamie and were talking about the
first day of school, and I said, first I dream about it for
several weeks in August, then I show up and it is like
getting jumped in the subway, body slammed against the
wall and beaten with a rubber hose. But after awhile, the
fears and crowds of students turn into classes, and the
classes turn into individuals, and with those individuals we
begin to have conversations about life and art. We share
our love of learning and the processes of imagination and
creativity. I don’t know how many teachers have told me
that they get some of their best creative ideas from their
students. Last year I visited art teachers in St. George,
Orem, Oakland, Arkansas, and New York to see how their
artistic lives influenced their teaching lives. All of these
teachers made their classrooms into interesting, hospi-
table place for themselves and for their students. Some-
how they kept the fire of their personal artistry burning.
They were dedicated to the flowering of the unique indi-
viduality of their students through the remarkable experi-
ence of belonging to their art classes. They reminded me
that one of the most powerful influences in life and in
education is the art teacher.
6.10.08
Museum Musings
UAEA Fall 2008 Article
Fall is a great time to visit a Museum! They want to share with your students what they have and value. Many art exhibits rotate in the same way the seasons do. For example the Utah Museum of Fine arts has a wonderful new exhibit of Japanese Art (Evening for Educators 8 October 2008, 5:30PM, free + food). The Brigham Young University Museum of Art opened an exhibit that is called “Windows On a Hidden World: Japanese Woodblock Prints from the MOA Collection.” They hosted an Evening for Educators (24 Sept) where over a hundred people were treated to the “inside” story by Paul Anderson. Also on hand at the BYU MOA EE were the Museum of Peoples and Cultures, The Earth Science Museum, and the Life Science Museum.
I remember a time when I had the privilege of taking some of my advanced junior high art students to the Life Science Museum to draw from the preserved animals there. These stuffed animals made perfect models for the students. They never moved once, the lighting didn’t change and indoor temperature was just right the whole time.
The Springville Museum of Art has an exciting and eclectic mix of exhibitions on display. Appealing to adults and children alike, Unbound: Original Picture Book Art from Utah Illustrators is a collection of children's book illustrations from 27 different artists. An Evening for Educators, 5 November 2008, 6PM, will provide up close and hands on experiences with this wonderful exhibit. In conjunction with the exhibit, a weekly series of Storytimes will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturdays, with stories read by the artist! Appropriate for children of all ages, come and enjoy original artwork, interact with the artist and hear wonderful stories.
Fall is a great time to visit a Museum! They want to share with your students what they have and value. Many art exhibits rotate in the same way the seasons do. For example the Utah Museum of Fine arts has a wonderful new exhibit of Japanese Art (Evening for Educators 8 October 2008, 5:30PM, free + food). The Brigham Young University Museum of Art opened an exhibit that is called “Windows On a Hidden World: Japanese Woodblock Prints from the MOA Collection.” They hosted an Evening for Educators (24 Sept) where over a hundred people were treated to the “inside” story by Paul Anderson. Also on hand at the BYU MOA EE were the Museum of Peoples and Cultures, The Earth Science Museum, and the Life Science Museum.
I remember a time when I had the privilege of taking some of my advanced junior high art students to the Life Science Museum to draw from the preserved animals there. These stuffed animals made perfect models for the students. They never moved once, the lighting didn’t change and indoor temperature was just right the whole time.
The Springville Museum of Art has an exciting and eclectic mix of exhibitions on display. Appealing to adults and children alike, Unbound: Original Picture Book Art from Utah Illustrators is a collection of children's book illustrations from 27 different artists. An Evening for Educators, 5 November 2008, 6PM, will provide up close and hands on experiences with this wonderful exhibit. In conjunction with the exhibit, a weekly series of Storytimes will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturdays, with stories read by the artist! Appropriate for children of all ages, come and enjoy original artwork, interact with the artist and hear wonderful stories.
Message from UAEA
Teacher, coach, mentor, friend, as teachers we always wear many masks. As we get ready to gather together again as art educators we urge you to remember that under all of those masks are unique and important people who give incredible amounts of their own time, talents, and love to further the Arts and the love of Art among their students. Each and every one of you are our heroes. Steve and I have loved working with and for you for the last few years you inspire us and make us want to cling to this wonderful organization of colleagues, associates, and friends.
This year we will focus on the Illustration and visual story telling. Everyone has a story to tell and we urge you all to come to the conference ready to be illuminated and Illustrated. Each year after the conference is over and we leave I feel enriched and full, it is a pleasure to bask in the brilliance of all the shared ideas, concepts, and experiences. I come away full of fresh ideas and the knowledge that what I do truly makes a difference.
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve. We look forward to the many future opportunities to mask up with you all again and have fun in the Dixie Sun.
The Crazy Co-Co Presidents of UAEA
Stacy Schimbeck, Stephen Jones, and Lee Burningham
This year we will focus on the Illustration and visual story telling. Everyone has a story to tell and we urge you all to come to the conference ready to be illuminated and Illustrated. Each year after the conference is over and we leave I feel enriched and full, it is a pleasure to bask in the brilliance of all the shared ideas, concepts, and experiences. I come away full of fresh ideas and the knowledge that what I do truly makes a difference.
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve. We look forward to the many future opportunities to mask up with you all again and have fun in the Dixie Sun.
The Crazy Co-Co Presidents of UAEA
Stacy Schimbeck, Stephen Jones, and Lee Burningham
Art IN the Sun-Keynote speakers annouced!
This year we will focus on the Illustration and visual story telling. Everyone has a story to tell and we urge you all to come to the conference ready to be illuminated and Illustrated. Each year after the conference is over and we leave I feel enriched and full, it is a pleasure to bask in the brilliance of all the shared ideas, concepts, and experiences. I come away full of fresh ideas and the knowledge that what I do truly makes a difference.
Professor mark graham has taught art in New york for many years and recently has joined the faculty at BYU. Mark has illustrated and produced over 30 illustrated books and also produces find art paintings. Dr. Mark A. Graham is also a recent recipient of the 2008 Manuel Barken Memorial Award, this award is presented to an individual who, through their published work has contributed a product of scholarly merit to the field of art education. Dr. Graham is currently works in New York, where he serves as Department chairman.
Ben Sowards from SUU A Christmas illustrator of “Dress for Ellen” by Thomas S. Monson and “You Are Priceless, The Parable of the Bicycle” by Stephen E. Robinson. Mr. Sowards has been commissioned for portraits for both public and private collections.
Ben teaches art at Southern Utah University.
Professor mark graham has taught art in New york for many years and recently has joined the faculty at BYU. Mark has illustrated and produced over 30 illustrated books and also produces find art paintings. Dr. Mark A. Graham is also a recent recipient of the 2008 Manuel Barken Memorial Award, this award is presented to an individual who, through their published work has contributed a product of scholarly merit to the field of art education. Dr. Graham is currently works in New York, where he serves as Department chairman.
Ben Sowards from SUU A Christmas illustrator of “Dress for Ellen” by Thomas S. Monson and “You Are Priceless, The Parable of the Bicycle” by Stephen E. Robinson. Mr. Sowards has been commissioned for portraits for both public and private collections.
Ben teaches art at Southern Utah University.
Art Is Elementary
ATTENTION ALL ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
If you can read the following statement you will be successful:
Каждый ребенок художник. Проблема как остать художником когда он растет вверх.
-Пабло Пикассо
If not, you should consider yourself a problem teacher, not very good at anything and eventually give up all together.
Art is a language
By Christine Sorensen
Imagine if you were an English-speaking student attending a school where the only language spoken was Russian. It would be very difficult to keep up, much less succeed. The temptation for naughty behaviors such as daydreaming, doodling, and disrupting might increase significantly. You may even find yourself not wanting to go to school anymore.
Suppose, however, for a small part of the day, the teacher actually spoke English. You breathe a sigh of relief as you are actually able to understand the teacher’s instruction. In fact, the subject matter sounds interesting and the criteria attainable. You can do this! You will succeed! Suddenly, school is not so bad anymore.
Some children speak the language of art. They are not very good at speaking math, extremely challenged in spelling, horrible at speaking science; however, if you speak to them in art, they are fluent and articulate, perhaps even brilliant. The students in your class who are typically the naughty ones might just be naughty because they do not understand the language being spoken.
While teaching art as an elementary specialist here in Utah, one of my first grade classes created paintings inspired by the work of Vincent van Gogh. At the end of the project, I was particularly impressed by a painting done by a little boy who, at the age of seven, had already been labeled as a problem student. As I called him over to discuss his artwork, I could see the fear in his eyes. Of course he thought he was going to get in trouble. How sad. I told him that his painting was beautiful and asked if I could show it to the other teachers and then display it in the school. I thought he was going to jump right out of his skin. It was like he had waited his whole life for someone to throw a little hope in his direction. I then took the painting to his first grade teacher. I told her who had painted it and she literally gasped. “HE did THAT?” she exclaimed. She could not believe that he could do anything well and stood there amazed.
As I reflected about the brief moment of success that this boy felt, I couldn’t help but wonder what the effect would be in his regular first grade class if he were allowed a little time each day to shine. Art was his language.
My challenge to all elementary school teachers is to allow students the opportunity to express themselves through art. Give the students who speak art the chance to be fluent, articulate, and to succeed.
In closing, for those of us who are unable to read Russian, the introductory quote says…
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.”
-Pablo Picasso
If you can read the following statement you will be successful:
Каждый ребенок художник. Проблема как остать художником когда он растет вверх.
-Пабло Пикассо
If not, you should consider yourself a problem teacher, not very good at anything and eventually give up all together.
Art is a language
By Christine Sorensen
Imagine if you were an English-speaking student attending a school where the only language spoken was Russian. It would be very difficult to keep up, much less succeed. The temptation for naughty behaviors such as daydreaming, doodling, and disrupting might increase significantly. You may even find yourself not wanting to go to school anymore.
Suppose, however, for a small part of the day, the teacher actually spoke English. You breathe a sigh of relief as you are actually able to understand the teacher’s instruction. In fact, the subject matter sounds interesting and the criteria attainable. You can do this! You will succeed! Suddenly, school is not so bad anymore.
Some children speak the language of art. They are not very good at speaking math, extremely challenged in spelling, horrible at speaking science; however, if you speak to them in art, they are fluent and articulate, perhaps even brilliant. The students in your class who are typically the naughty ones might just be naughty because they do not understand the language being spoken.
While teaching art as an elementary specialist here in Utah, one of my first grade classes created paintings inspired by the work of Vincent van Gogh. At the end of the project, I was particularly impressed by a painting done by a little boy who, at the age of seven, had already been labeled as a problem student. As I called him over to discuss his artwork, I could see the fear in his eyes. Of course he thought he was going to get in trouble. How sad. I told him that his painting was beautiful and asked if I could show it to the other teachers and then display it in the school. I thought he was going to jump right out of his skin. It was like he had waited his whole life for someone to throw a little hope in his direction. I then took the painting to his first grade teacher. I told her who had painted it and she literally gasped. “HE did THAT?” she exclaimed. She could not believe that he could do anything well and stood there amazed.
As I reflected about the brief moment of success that this boy felt, I couldn’t help but wonder what the effect would be in his regular first grade class if he were allowed a little time each day to shine. Art was his language.
My challenge to all elementary school teachers is to allow students the opportunity to express themselves through art. Give the students who speak art the chance to be fluent, articulate, and to succeed.
In closing, for those of us who are unable to read Russian, the introductory quote says…
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.”
-Pablo Picasso
Art Is Elementary
ATTENTION ALL ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
If you can read the following statement you will be successful:
Каждый ребенок художник. Проблема как остать художником когда он растет вверх.
-Пабло Пикассо
If not, you should consider yourself a problem teacher, not very good at anything and eventually give up all together.
Art is a language
By Christine Sorensen
Imagine if you were an English-speaking student attending a school where the only language spoken was Russian. It would be very difficult to keep up, much less succeed. The temptation for naughty behaviors such as daydreaming, doodling, and disrupting might increase significantly. You may even find yourself not wanting to go to school anymore.
Suppose, however, for a small part of the day, the teacher actually spoke English. You breathe a sigh of relief as you are actually able to understand the teacher’s instruction. In fact, the subject matter sounds interesting and the criteria attainable. You can do this! You will succeed! Suddenly, school is not so bad anymore.
Some children speak the language of art. They are not very good at speaking math, extremely challenged in spelling, horrible at speaking science; however, if you speak to them in art, they are fluent and articulate, perhaps even brilliant. The students in your class who are typically the naughty ones might just be naughty because they do not understand the language being spoken.
While teaching art as an elementary specialist here in Utah, one of my first grade classes created paintings inspired by the work of Vincent van Gogh. At the end of the project, I was particularly impressed by a painting done by a little boy who, at the age of seven, had already been labeled as a problem student. As I called him over to discuss his artwork, I could see the fear in his eyes. Of course he thought he was going to get in trouble. How sad. I told him that his painting was beautiful and asked if I could show it to the other teachers and then display it in the school. I thought he was going to jump right out of his skin. It was like he had waited his whole life for someone to throw a little hope in his direction. I then took the painting to his first grade teacher. I told her who had painted it and she literally gasped. “HE did THAT?” she exclaimed. She could not believe that he could do anything well and stood there amazed.
As I reflected about the brief moment of success that this boy felt, I couldn’t help but wonder what the effect would be in his regular first grade class if he were allowed a little time each day to shine. Art was his language.
My challenge to all elementary school teachers is to allow students the opportunity to express themselves through art. Give the students who speak art the chance to be fluent, articulate, and to succeed.
In closing, for those of us who are unable to read Russian, the introductory quote says…
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.”
-Pablo Picasso
If you can read the following statement you will be successful:
Каждый ребенок художник. Проблема как остать художником когда он растет вверх.
-Пабло Пикассо
If not, you should consider yourself a problem teacher, not very good at anything and eventually give up all together.
Art is a language
By Christine Sorensen
Imagine if you were an English-speaking student attending a school where the only language spoken was Russian. It would be very difficult to keep up, much less succeed. The temptation for naughty behaviors such as daydreaming, doodling, and disrupting might increase significantly. You may even find yourself not wanting to go to school anymore.
Suppose, however, for a small part of the day, the teacher actually spoke English. You breathe a sigh of relief as you are actually able to understand the teacher’s instruction. In fact, the subject matter sounds interesting and the criteria attainable. You can do this! You will succeed! Suddenly, school is not so bad anymore.
Some children speak the language of art. They are not very good at speaking math, extremely challenged in spelling, horrible at speaking science; however, if you speak to them in art, they are fluent and articulate, perhaps even brilliant. The students in your class who are typically the naughty ones might just be naughty because they do not understand the language being spoken.
While teaching art as an elementary specialist here in Utah, one of my first grade classes created paintings inspired by the work of Vincent van Gogh. At the end of the project, I was particularly impressed by a painting done by a little boy who, at the age of seven, had already been labeled as a problem student. As I called him over to discuss his artwork, I could see the fear in his eyes. Of course he thought he was going to get in trouble. How sad. I told him that his painting was beautiful and asked if I could show it to the other teachers and then display it in the school. I thought he was going to jump right out of his skin. It was like he had waited his whole life for someone to throw a little hope in his direction. I then took the painting to his first grade teacher. I told her who had painted it and she literally gasped. “HE did THAT?” she exclaimed. She could not believe that he could do anything well and stood there amazed.
As I reflected about the brief moment of success that this boy felt, I couldn’t help but wonder what the effect would be in his regular first grade class if he were allowed a little time each day to shine. Art was his language.
My challenge to all elementary school teachers is to allow students the opportunity to express themselves through art. Give the students who speak art the chance to be fluent, articulate, and to succeed.
In closing, for those of us who are unable to read Russian, the introductory quote says…
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.”
-Pablo Picasso
29.9.07
Message from the Presidency
Stephen Jones, Lee Burningham, & Stacy SchimbeckIt’s that time again. We all come rushing back into the new year with fresh ideas for fresh art. Time seems like a luxury and yet lurking at the back of minds is the refrain, “I can’t wait for Fun in the Utah Sun in sunny St. George.” I hope all of you are ready to come to St. George and get muddy. This year our focus will be on clay with exceptional elementary and secondary keynote-speakers. This year UAEA will defiantly be a muddy hands-on experience.
It’s that time to think about those capable teachers around us who need to gather with us again. Our connection and ability to come together in learning and celebration and collaboration is our greatest strength. Think about those love ones who should be with us and invite them, plead with them, love them into coming back again.
This is my invite to you all, to remember why we teach art. Remember what it is worth to you. What it means to you. Share it. We will see you all again having Fun in the Utah Sun.
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