I strive to foster a lifelong appreciation for art in my students. Visual language, personal aesthetics, and technique exploration all play equal roles in my style of holistic artistic development.

We begin by developing proficiency in visual language. Art criticism is a pivotal tool in this studio practice. Engaging students in creating a dictionary of artistic terms, we deep dive into discussions of artistic technique and intent. These critiques will inform student artistic practice, deepening understanding and meaning-making.

Fostering broad artistic exploration is the pivotal next step in developing a personal aesthetic. Exploring a variety of mediums and artistic techniques, students will choose what appeals most to their personal aesthetic. Equipped with the ability to describe their artistic intent, students develop the confidence to take risks when creating, employing techniques and strategies that work best for them.

Equipped to assess what one observes and creates, students can then present with confidence. Curation skills are developed, coming full circle in the design cycle. Self-assessment via essential questions, rubrics, and standards allow my students to take responsibility for their own learning and understand clear expectations.

Art appreciation is a life enhancing skill. To quote John Dewey, “The important attitude that can be formed is to go on learning”. A motivated student will become a self-directed learner. Fostering lifelong art appreciators who can interpret what they see and create is the goal.