In my practice as an artist, I explore human emotions, challenging the common cultural belief that emotions are a burden to us, and instead are tools that help us both navigate and cope with the human condition. This idea translates into my classroom, as it is my belief that art is fundamentally a form of expression that aids in understanding, communicating, and surviving our individual experiences.
Art differs from other academic subjects, as it is a very subjective and personal study. While there are technical aspects of art the students are taught and expected to understand, a large portion of the subject is based in exploration and expression. My goal as an artist educator is to foster a safe and supportive learning environment where my students can explore art making without fear of judgment or failure. In order to create this environment, compassion paired with encouragement is essential. I employ democratic tactics that allow students to help voice their needs and guide the content of the class. One-on-one conversations between my students and myself prompt students to ask for help and advice when needed, while group discussions and activities promote community and cultivate relationships between students and their peers. By building these relationships, students are more comfortable with exploring new ideas, expressing their experiences, and making mistakes.
As an art educator, I am constantly striving to inspire students to reflect on themselves and the world around them, to see things in a new light, and to explore new and unique ways to create art so that they may be equipped to better understand their existence and cultivate community and expression outside the classroom.
