It Gets Better

Today we went to an alternative high school for ArtTalks. When we go to any school, in any city, we never know what kind of crowd we're going to get. Today we went to an awesome school.

I actually find myself looking forward to alternative schools, because we can often get students to talk to us about deep issues in art. My theory is that alternative hs students are often exposed to pretty hard situations in life, so they're tender...even if some of them seem harsh on the outside. Being tender and vulnerable can help you find connections when you talk about art.

We talked about art, how to find meaning in it, and how to connect it back to your own life. We also talked about Lil Wayne's teeth, and how many euros a diamond-encrusted skull would cost, and how Drake was on Degrassi before he made it in the music industry. I saw a lot of kids sleeping, or talking to their friends. But the ones who were paying attention, and talking to me (even if we weren't on task the entire time), got something out of it. We had some great discussions about the value of Mona Lisa, how art can spark conversation for social change (like PostSecret), how moving to a new school can feel a lot like being an immigrant (New American's @ SMA), and how McDonald's trash can be recycled into art that somehow relates back to the crusades....etc.

The best part about today was that I found some graffiti in the bathroom. In our HS presentation, we actually talk about graffiti and its pros and cons. We delve into legal and moral issues, and why it started on trains, and how graffiti, when done properly, can actually have be voice for change to the public. We don't advocate breaking laws...we just talk about it as art. This is the writing I found:

It gets better. In a school where kids are probably going through some tough things, I bet it was nice for some of them to walk into this room and see some encouragement from a stranger classmate. Even I, who do not have a hard life compared to most of these kids, was pleasantly surprised. This kind of graffiti...I approve.

Kind Gestures

A few weeks ago we went to an elementary school to teach classes. It started off like any other day, with an early morning of driving and a Professional Development. It was cold, and to be honest, I was really tired. A lot of days seem to run together when we teach. There are a lot of happy moments, but some challenges that come along with being a traveling art teacher. It was just going to be a regular, long day of teaching.

When we arrived at the school, the woman we had been coordinating with greeted us at the door. We walked into the library to do our thing, and were surprised with baskets of Great Harvest bread, honey, a fancy spreading knife, and a thank you card.

That small gesture of gratitude may not have been big for her, but it was big for me. Since we never go back to the same school twice (until many years later), it feels like we can sometimes get forgotten. I realize that most people really are grateful for us, but it's nice to have a small gesture on a cold winter's morning to remind us that we are noticed. It's just what I needed to get me through the day.

And now that basket of bread sits in my car, ready to be an after-school snack if I need it. I love opening my car door to haul out heavy ArtTalks bags and seeing that reminder that I am seen.

The Wish

I already posted this on my personal blog, but it was too cute not to share twice.

The other day we went to an elementary school in Clearfield. I called a first grade student by name because I saw his name card on his desk. The girl next to him exclaimed, "How did you know that?!" She was so impressed. I whispered back, "Because I'm magic..." There may have been some eyebrows and magic hands. The kid sitting next to me overheard this and immediately asked in a little sweet awe-struck voice, "Can I have a wish?"

He was so sincere. His eyes were big with wonder and anticipation at my answer. I couldn't let him down. I didn't have the heart. So I got down on his level as said, "We'll, it depends on what you wish for."

"I want to own a plane when I grow up."

He said his answer so sweetly and confidently that I knew he has probably wanted to be a pilot since he could flap his arms and run around like an airplane.

So I granted his wish. I had no choice.

I figured that by the time he's old enough for the wish to come true, he'll have the maturity to realize that wishes don't come true just by wishing them to a magic genie stranger.

And now I feel awesome.

If I could wish one wish, it would be for some pajameralls. They're the gift that keeps on giving.

Would you like to have ArtTalks at your school?

Elementary students doing a "thank you cheer" for Kellie after she taught them how to draw.

Are you a teacher / principal / parent at a public school in Utah?

Would you like the children at your school to receive a fun art lesson for free?

You've come to the right place!

ArtTalks is a free outreach program that brings art from the Springville Museum of Art to schools throughout Utah! 

We have lessons for K-12, and two full-time certified outreach educators who would love to teach classes at your school for one day this school year!

For elementary schools, we offer two programs: People of Utah, and The Gallery Experience. Typically, we are in one school for an entire school day and can see up to 20 thirty-minute classes a day. Schools will pick one of the following two programs (PoU or TGE):

People of Utah focuses on teaching students the basics of figure drawing. Students get to model for and draw each other in teams! Younger students learn how to make figures by using foam shapes and felt canvasses.

The Gallery Experience teaches students how to interact with SMA art through student-driven conversations. We sit together and look at art, make up fun stories, ask questions about the art and learn how find personal meaning in art. Students are encouraged to go home, make their own art, and visit a museum in the future.

An elementary ArtTalks program comes with a free thirty-minute Professional Development before or after school. The purpose is to expose teachers to quick ways of adding art to their classrooms and give away free materials. There will also be an opportunity after the PD to purchase themed lesson plan packets.

For middle school, we have an engaging new program called Exploring Self.

Students interact with SMA art by playing a title matching game, making stories up in groups, doing interactive team building activities, and sometimes making their own comics inspired by their experience. This has been a big success with middle school students this year, and we are excited to bring it to more schools!

The high school program, The Critical Eye, uses images from SMA's permanent collection and other artists to inspire students to create meaningful artwork. Outreach educators will share art concepts with students and ask questions to inspire creative thought.

Each ArtTalks program is very interactive and student-driven. We strive to inspire students to look at, analyze, and create meaningful art. Our goal is to use SMA's permanent collection to create thoughtful museum-goers who know how to interact with art.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a day for ArtTalks to visit, please contact Kellie at khardin@smofa.org, or at the museum at 801-489-2727 ext. 18. We would love to talk to you! 

Evenings for Educators

Have you heard of Evenings for Educators? E4E is an ongoing education program for K-12 teachers. We have special events at least once a month with food, a keynote, and breakout sessions designed to inspire teachers to include art in their curriculum! If you are a teacher, it's a fun way to get seat hours  (or points towards a lane change) and learn more about teaching art. SMA hosts 3-4 evenings a year, and we work with museums throughout Utah to host other E4Es all school-year long! 

Each Evening for Educators has a theme, and most venues include a lesson plan packet choc full of ideas to blast some art into your curriculum. All evenings will have a packet table with previous lesson plan packets available for a $7 donation. (Packets with that night's theme will be available at a discounted $5 for one night only). 

If you are interested in purchasing packets, but can't make it to an Evening for Educators, you can come to the museum and purchase them in person, or call Jessica at the museum @ 801-489-2727 ext. 23 and she can help you out. 

Looking for a full Evenings for Educators schedule? Click here.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 @ 6:00
Teaching History Through Art
hosted by Springville Museum of Art
 
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 @ 6:00
Heroes and Monsters
hosted by BYU Museum of Art
 
Friday, February 22, 2013 @ 6:00
Dixie and UAEA
hosted by Dixie State College
 
Friday, March 1, 2013 @ 4:00
Curious about Light and Color
hosted by Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art
*a continuation of this program will occur on Saturday, March 2 @ 9am-noon; teachers are invited to attend one or both sessions, as their schedule allows.
 
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 5:30
Portraits
hosted by Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Youth Gallery - Exploring Animals

Did you guys know that SMA has a Youth Gallery downstairs, dedicated to children (and kids at heart)?? Assistant Curator of Education, Jessica, has turned the space into a fun, kid-friendly art experience! Right now you'll find Exploring Animals, an interactive exhibit dedicated to all things animal. There's an art station, a place to practice still-life drawing, an origami table, a reading nook with fun art books and a comfy couch, a magnet wall, a place to showcase your own artwork, and other fun interactives. The museum is free, so stop by with your kids for a fun afternoon! 

I am super excited, because I am helping curate the next Youth Gallery show, set to go up this March. So far we have the theme and some tentative artworks picked out. We have brainstormed a lot of fun interactive activities, so check back for updates! 

Portfolio Day on January 12th

Mark your calendars for Portfolio Review Day! It'll be on Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 9am-3pm at SMA.

Portfolio Review Day is an event where high school seniors can bring their portfolios to the museum and get feedback (and possibly even college art scholarships) from university art departments throughout Utah!

 It's a great opportunity for anyone looking to further their career in art past high school. I grew up in California, so I didn't know about this until I started working here. I wish there was something for me in California when I was in high school! If you are a high school art student, please take advantage of this opportunity! Even if you aren't interested in going to some of the schools that participate, their feedback could be invaluable!

There is more information on the SMA website, including FAQs. Please call Jessica Weiss at the museum (801-489-2727 ext. 23) to schedule appointments with university art professors. Appointments will be made in the order calls are received, so call soon!