JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Being in an elementary school has changed my view on art education and where I see myself fitting into it. It has reminded me of the importance of letting kids explore and experiment with materials, with techniques, and with their creative ideas. Before student teaching, I was fairly set on working with high school aged students, this was what I was drawn towards. As I have been reflecting, I’ve been thinking about and realizing that I am a person who is sensitive to the energy of others in the way it affects my energy and mindset. Being around young kids is inspiring and exciting, there truly is never a dull moment. This makes me excited about the possibility of working with kids this age in the future. 

 

As an artist, working with young kids reminds me that I need to continue experimenting as well. Over the past few years, I have been deeply involved in my fibers practice, and creating a cohesive body of work. Working with elementary students has reminded me to continue experimenting, whether that becomes a new body of work, or something that gives me knowledge to build on my current practice. That experimentation is what allows new ideas to spark, and pushes me to think outside of the box. 

 

An important part of exploring new materials is continuing to take the knowledge that we have of other materials. Often when we think about art and different studios, we see each media as something completely different from that of any other media. In my opinion, when we take what we know from one material or media, and bring it into another, it opens a new lens for each. There can become the combination instead of this separation. I think this also makes new materials less intimidating for students. If we can talk about similar ideas multiple days with different media, students can begin to see the connections between materials, and therefore feel more confident with trying new materials. 

 

This past week on Friday, we started introducing the students to studio bags. These will be bags that students get weekly, where they are able to choose between a variety of different studios. Each of them will allow for exploration of new or known materials. This allows for a COVID-19 safe environment while also having the opportunity for choice. For the first bag, all students got the same materials, and it was inspiring to see the creativity and the different directions that each student took their artwork. Each of them had a vision they were working towards and challenges they faced. Talking with individual students allows for me to see further into their creative minds and their creative process. 

 

During the class period before, we introduced the idea of artists envisioning their ideas in their minds. Students then had the opportunity to take creative prompts/challenges, and envision then draw them. Students then had a concept of envisioning as we moved into studio bags. This is helpful in allowing for students to connect media, as well as build upon their knowledge of art and art making. 

 

Each individual has their own creative process, and their own way of exploring a new material. This is likely based on past experiences and the different ways that each and everyone’s brain works and takes in new information. Seeing this is inspiring for me as a teacher and as an artist. The creative processes of others can be a source of inspiration, and can help artists to learn to modify and change their own creative process. As I reflect on these events, I can begin to better understand the ways I can make the classroom a place for students to learn and be creative. Being a part of an art making community and talking about the work of yourself and others is one way that I can develop a positive studio environment.