This year we have been actually "studying" artists. We started with Klee and Kandinsky since I basically love these abstract colorful geometric works of art. I printed a bunch of cards with different artists works, and had them rate their favorites. Klee came up pretty high on the list. For some reason Miro was much further down, and Andy Warhol didn't make the cut. I realized I forgot Jackson Pollock! Everyone loves Pollock, I think because they get the feeling, "Hey, I could do that!" So I got the supplies, pulled out all the old house paint and showed a video of Pollock at work. It is quite beautiful to see the act of creating. The kids loved it too. Yesterday before the Art Garage, the kids met their teachers and got their school schedules. Although disappointed about not going back to the classroom, they were very excited to get started learning again. They told me what classes they had, Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies...I asked if they had art, and it seems that art doesn't make the cut in virtual school. I started to think about why we teach what we do, and why I think art is one of the best subjects for all students to learn. My ideal would actually be to have a fully arts-integrated curriculum, like Waldorf, for example. In this way you teach math, science, ELA and social studies using art. This makes the learning more engaging and allows non-traditional learners to connect to the material in ways beyond just words on paper. But art as a subject, what value could that possibly hold? Plenty! Art shows us about the value of a single individual in expressing him or herself, but also shines a light on the society in which the artist lives. Doing art teaches us about material science as we observe how the paint interacts, or the plaster hardens. And of course the greatest gift of art is the gift of self-expression. Districts are paying tens of thousands of dollars for SEL curriculum, when what we could be doing is providing a rich arts-based curriculum focused on self-expression. And then, of course, what about the true artists in the classroom? I do believe these students have so much to contribute, and yet they are often the most misunderstood. Art brings joy into the classroom and keeps students happy and engaged. Learning cannot be forced, it has to happen from a person's inner desire. Because art is so satisfying, it activates that intrinsic motivation, and that translates to happy, engaged learners in the classroom. So don't pooh-pooh the value of art. Instead, start creating with your kids!
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Abigail LarrisonEducator, Scientist and Art Maker. The purpose of all life is to spread joy. What brings more joy than making art? Archives
November 2023
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