art ed digested

I am deeply into my second year at Kingsley, and loving every minute of it. It is especially nice to finally work with my co-teacher back from maternity leave!

I’ve neglected this blog for a few reasons, the main reason being that it’s tedious to record your progress and ideas to a seemingly empty audience. So, instead I focused myself on making a kick-ass curriculum and pushing our art students in ways they never expected. I am excited by the work we are creating together, and now I feel the urge to share with the world again, whether or not it is listening.

On January 31st our entire school community- students, parents, faculty and administration – are invited to challenge themselves to be creative for 15 minutes each day for a month. This can be keeping a sketchbook, writing in a journal, making a collage, or any other artistic endeavor that can be collected throughout the challenge. At the end of the month, anyone who chose to participate can show their work at an exhibition to celebrate.

I’ve chosen to keep a small sketchbook and do observational studies on my subway commute home from work, which has been an interesting project so far! A student has already approached me to mention she they will be making a crocheted rose each day, and at the end of the month piece them together to make an assembled garment. A colleague mentioned that he will be taking a photograph each day. It is energizing to get immediate and enthusiastic responses from so many here at my school.

(Here’s a link to a great list of prompts for those who need a little help acquiring inspiration.)