Art is Reflective

Both of my grandmothers were artists of their own making. My Memere did it all. She drew, painted, embroidered, carved wood, and sewed. I remember stumbling upon in-progress Christmas projects tucked into her bookcase on weekend visits to her house and intricately painted rocks nestled between weeds and tomato plants in her garden. My Grandma was a fine artist through and through, with years of observational drawing and watercolor training under her belt. Just last year, she pulled out a dusty stack of slightly yellowed figure drawings she had made in college. Each line was so tenderly applied to the paper, and the rendering of each figure was so intimately realized. My grandmothers have been my most significant mentors for as long as I can remember.

As I begin my career as an arts educator, I take with me many of the lessons I learned from my grandmothers. I practice patience, affirm frustrations and provide guidance to find solutions, rely on free resources from the earth to promote creativity, and encourage art-making in all its forms and configurations. From working as an assistant art teacher in a Boston Public School to teaching at a preschool for two years, I have seen the ways arts can strengthen confidence, build community, connect young people to their world, and expand one’s view of their creative capabilities.

My responsibility as an artist in society is to create accessible forms of creative expression for all, just as my grandmothers put tools in my hand and art books on my shelf at every opportunity they had. Some may gain a means of communication through a tactile medium. Others could center their minds and bodies in a physical practice that offers safety and comfort. Whatever it may be, I aim to provide feedback, demonstrate valuable techniques, and connect art practices to the world so young people can walk out of the art room understanding that art is for all.

Interactive demonstrations offer students a more engaged and successful introduction to new arts practices. Students gain skills and comfort in sharing making with their peers.

Lively learning leads to joyful learning!

Sing, play, move, dance, and laugh through learning.

Multi-cultural picture books provide mirrors and offer windows to the self and to the world.

Art is Experimental

Differentiation offers each student their own individualized learning experience - teaching is not one-size-fits-all!

Art is Community-Building