Bard Graduate Center has begun holding public workshops. The first one they are trying out is a three weekend jewelry class I am taking. The first class was today! The workshop is focused on historical processes in jewelry. The lecture and hands on work was all about historic, ancient jewelry practices, from original Stone Age and Bronze Age tools to granulation and wire making. It was incredible to learn how early wire was made and to see an artist's incredible granulation work.
Shin Gallery - "I Wanna Be Me"
On Friday the Shin Gallery on the Lower East Side held a gallery opening called "I Wanna Be Me". The paintings by Balthus, Dali, and Hyon Gyon were hung in a constructed Punk Rock Bathroom. Each artist has a certain rejection of societal, cultural, and artistic norms as does Punk Rock. The juxtaposition between fine art, graffiti art, and a restroom was inspired.
It was fun to be in such a unique gallery space. The Shin Gallery puts on some very unique shows, and represents some amazing Korean Artists.
Lesson Planning as a Sub
Bridget Riley
I have been having fun writing lesson plans for Elementary Art students. In the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to teach the students something of my own volition.
We have spoken about complementary colors and how graphic designers use certain colors to sell products. After the students were able to design their own logos for everything from made-up sports teams to a personal logo. One of my favorite logos was for a sports team that a student made up called the "Dunking Whales". It was so funny it was a drawing of quite literally a whale dunking a basket ball. It was one of the most creative logos. Kids love to come up with funny situations, and this project gave them the chance to do so, and they really ran with it. All while using proper color schemes!
This past Thursday I spent the day planning an Op Art Lesson inspired by Bridget Riley, one of the founders of OP Art. I have yet to try it out but I am very excited to put the plan into action.
Substitute Teacher
Today I am officially a substitute teacher! I got my first call this morning. Unfortunately by the time I was able to figure out the online system for the first time the job was already gone.
I cannot wait to get into the classroom! Updates to follow!
History of Art Education Conference: Brushes with History
From November 19th to the 21st I attended a conference at Teachers College Columbia University. It gave me my first real look into the school that I am overjoyed to call my own starting Fall 2016. I met students and teachers from around the world who came together to discuss the history of our field.
I attended nine sessions all with two or more presenters in each. I heard at least 20 papers all about the history of education from primary sources and oral histories to biographical accounts of forgotten and unsung hero's of art education.
We discussed evaluation of art projects for grades in a traditional classroom, something everyone seemed passionate about. How to grade art is much contested and debated, there really is no "wrong way" to create art, and yet some how the educator is supposed to evaluate it.
The most important moment for me was when someone in the audience asked what the faculty of Teachers College hope to instill in their students that they can carry forward into their own classes. Professor Mary Hafeli, responded that she knows that every student and every classroom is different but that she hopes that all of her students know and understand that "all children are artists,". This singular moment made me feel like I finally knew I was in the right place. I felt the instant gut feeling that this was the place for me. Even thought I made the commitment months ago, it feels more real now than it ever has.
After I got out of the conference I went to the bookstore and bought my first Columbia sweatshirt. That has always felt symbolic to me, the school sweatshirt. It is a symbol of this life changing moment when this school becomes a part of your life. That choice will change who you are and the corse of your life. There are very few moments in life where we make these life changing decisions, going to graduate school is one of them.
I am thankful for this opportunity and all that is in store.