Art and Design at Family Learning Program

This spring session of Family Learning Program I've been fortunate to lead three art and design classes serving a whole range of different ages, styles and interests! As summer approaches with a finish to these energy-charged classes, I want to share some highlights from our learning experiences.

Interactive social games remind kids of the basics while strengthening classroom relationships.

Then, we're ready to get serious with some advanced painting studies. Many students would stop nowhere short of the "fancy" color wheel this session. I was continually amazed at their level of focus and dedication.

Even my youngest artists, with support from their parents, were fascinated to study the behavior of paint under various conditions.

 

I've noticed amazing collaborative exchanges among these artist teams.

 

Whether studying watercolor techniques, printmaking methods, or mixed media construction, we agreed that creativity is something important to ourselves, our families and our community. 

 

Mixed media experiments with the older kids included ink drawings on a clear sheet to create sun-print images.

Many of the kids enjoyed drawing and then painting over their drawings. 

 

This basic illustration technique is incredibly versatile.

When classroom dynamics got a little complicated, I brainstormed up a set of worksheets to give students an additional way to interact with complex drawing instructions. It was difficult to put aside fears that worksheets might stifle their creativity, but I forged ahead while encouraging students to honor their own unique ways to draw.

I was relieved and overjoyed to find that the results were as wildly varied as the kids are!

Stories & Art Around the World, Part 2

Students of Stories and Art Around the World have continued to amaze me with their creativity at mask-making, watercolor painting, and a musical lesson inspired by a musical folk tale.

I'm pleased to share this short collaborative Stories and Art film with our community of learners, family and friends around the world, and a widening circle of supportive folks who appreciate the ancient arts of puppetry and storytelling. We can now record and access these beautiful human resources in fresh ways using new media. I hope that hearing the voices weave together will inspire you to tell a story of your own!

Storytelling and Puppetry by Youth Artists of Stories & Art Around the World. Recording, Filming, Editing, and Ukulele by Teaching Artist Sarah Browning.

Art Elements

Art Elements, a class at Family Learning Program for artists ages 4-7, is underway with explorations of line, color, shape, and texture through super fun collaborative poster design, weaving, printmaking, collage, painting, and color wheel projects!

Pictured here are color wheel and Kandinsky-inspired painting activities:

The students persevered to meet my challenge and impressed me with their understanding of color juxtaposition!

I can't wait to see what they'll create next.

Big Words for a Big Idea

Gearing up for my final session at the TATLab, a teaching artist training lab that may well turn out to be a life changing experience for this teaching artist, I'm still trying to get comfortable crafting a Teaching Artist's Big Idea. How about this version:

"Engaging in the Visual Arts activates metacognition, empowering students to make integrative connections."

It's a mouthful.

Photo by Youth in Focus

Words like "activate" and "empower" easily roll off the tongue, but who says "metacognition" in an elevator speech?

"Integrative connections" are where I try to elaborate: in art and in life, connections within and between systems, across diverse disciplines, is what I want my students to find the power to enact.

What better place to foster this synergy besides an arts rich learning environment? Where tools and training are readily at hand, and a spirit of inclusiveness clears a path to creativity and collaboration?