THE ARTS

CAPTURING THE MOOD

Normally, this adventurous Upper School art assignment involves a visit to the GCS pond with drawing panels and just four crayons per student to enjoy and depict the colors of the fall.

Each Studio Art student participates in this atmospheric perspective exercise in “Plein Air” style. The focus is on observing the landscape in layers, with layer completed in a different color, hue, or value. The colors represent students’ own mood. The “pond journey” was changed to going outside of individual homes this fall due to the pandemic. Students still experienced time away from technology, being outside, and noticing the environment around them. Students could look at their porches, yards, streets or adventure deeper into the nature surrounding them.

First row, from left: Ava Carnaggio ’24; Nayji Htut ’23; Riya Madaan ’24 Normally, this is an adventurous Upper School art assignment involves a trip to the GCS pond with drawing panels and just four crayons to enjoy and depict the colors of the fall. • Every Studio Art student participates in this atmospheric Second row, from left: Natalie Dent ’23; Hengyi Sun ’21; Matthew Smith ’22; Ayla Abro ’23 perspective exercise in “Plein Air” style. The focus is on observing your landscape in layers. Each layer has to be done in a Third row, from left: Jennifer Fu ’23; Oscar Zou ’24; Finnegan Schmidt ’22 different color hue or value. Sit and relax, and take in what you see and feel – select colors representing your own mood. • We had to transfer our “pond journey” to going outside of our individual homes this fall due to the pandemic. You still experienced time away from technology, breathing outside air and noticing the environment near you. Students could look at their porches, yards, streets or adventure deeper into the nature surrounding them.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Albert Fusco

Albert Fusco’s motivation to become a teacher was spurred by a teacher willing to work with him in high school when others wouldn’t.

PLEASE GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND ON YOURSELF AND YOUR EXPERIENCE.

I received a degree in Theater and Mathematics when I attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. After graduation, I worked as a technical theater director intern at Rabun Gap Nacoochee High School in Rabun County, Georgia for two years. I worked on a multitude of plays, musicals, and the school’s annual Cirque show. During my free time, I am usually perfecting my stage combat art, for which I am certified in four separate weapon classifications under the Society of American Fight Directors.

WHY TEACHING?

In high school, I was called tone-deaf and would never be a singer. However, the choir teacher and I ran into each other, and on the spot, he forced me to sing for him. When I finished, he told me I had a voice worth helping. A year later, I was in the select boys’ choir with only four members. I quickly saw just how powerful a teacher’s influence can be and how much it can change a student’s life, and I wanted to have that same impact. Even if I was the only student affected by that teacher, that one impact is enough to make it all worth it!

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO GCS?

GCS showed me that the school puts students first and allows teachers to mold their class for the student. Since the one thing I want to do is help the students learn who they are and who they want to be, this freedom is the perfect thing for teaching that I support.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING MOMENTS AS A TEACHER?

As a teacher, the most rewarding moment is when you see a student take on a task never asked of them, yet they do it anyway because they are genuinely invested in the work and the topic. It makes teachers feel as though we have given them the tools to create and work independently.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED YOUR APPROACH TO TEACHING? ANY ADVANTAGES?

The pandemic has only changed my mindset, not my teaching. My teaching style has always been a fluid lesson plan that I shape to students’ needs. Therefore, the pandemic has only made me think more creatively to focus on what the students require right now. To me, this means creativity and group work. Many students are in a creative slump with less interaction. Thus, I have shaped my class to focus on being creative and working as a team within the artistic world.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS LEARNING IN A PANDEMIC?

DON’T BE SILENT! During these times, communication and interaction are vital to your mental health. Unless the teacher specifies it, don’t be afraid to be vocal in the classroom. To sit at a computer and listen to the teacher talk at you is not only not helpful for your learning, but you will slowly start to deteriorate mentally. Don’t be afraid to mention to your friends or a teacher you trust that you aren’t doing well during these times. It is not something to be ashamed of, and you will feel better and stronger for just saying something. We are all going through this together, and we should act like it. No one should go through this by themselves!