Department of Art September 2020 Newsletter

SEPT. 2020

02 PORTER.

KARRIE MAHES When Spring 2020 Art Education graduate, Karrie Mahes, was asked what teaching her first semester in the field during a pandemic was like she said, “[it’s a] challenge for all teachers, but I have an amazing network of supportive teachers to problem solve issues with, and to encourage each other. “ Karrie

is teaching ceramics 1, 2, 3, Early Art History, Modern Art History, Fiber Arts, and Studio Arts at Independence High School in Independence, Kansas.

“I am most excited for when Covid is over. I am teaching online and in the classroom simultaneously all day long and it’s going well, but the technology

was a challe Karrie is gla collaborate has been bu over 600 fac and excited community

SEPT. 2020 03

KINSEY CASLEY Northeast High School has gained Kinsey Casley as their ninth through twelfth grade art teacher. This role obviously involves teaching art at all levels of high school, but in the pandemic, it involves so much more, contact tracing, safety protocols, etc. She has had to expand her creativity to include teaching via Google Meet for her remote learners.

Kinsey states that she is proud of how her students are adjusting and handling the current situation. They have been busy working on sketchbook assignments, color wheel collages, value studies, cave art, weaving.

LEARNING TO TEACH

enge initially,� Mahes said. ad to have great colleagues to with during this time. She usy this past summer sewing ce masks. Karrie is willing to serve her school and y continually!

RECENT ART EDUCATION GRADUATES FACE UNIQUE FIRST YEAR TEACHING CHALLENGES

04 PORTER.

MADIE FLEMING Since graduating from Pitt State, Madie has attained her dream job teaching metals, painting and design at Shawnee Heights High School in Tecumseh, KS. Obviously, with the pandemic, there have been scheduling changes and increased cleaning, among other safety measures. Despite the new classroom accommodations, Madie has been enjoying her new teaching role and loves the opportunity to support students through these hard times. She has already begun continuing her education in a graduate program and has been teaching herself digital art on the iPad and also learning watercolor.

JESSICA DAVISSON Jessica Davisson started her first year of teaching as the Kindergarten through 12th grade Art teacher at Stafford USD 349. She is excited to see her students become happy and excited about their artwork. As with other districts, her schedule is a bit chaotic, but she is adapting.

Her husband working at the school is helpful in this. Her elementary students are working on mood-scapes and imaginary fried drawings.

Her middle school students are working on radial paper sculptures, and her high school students are working on Game board designs. She has taken a bit of a break from her own work but indicates that she cannot wait until she gets into a routine to resume her own art practice.

SEPT. 2020 05

JAELINA JONES Jealina Jones now works at Truman Elementary in the Nevada R-5 district teaching third through fifth grade. To minimize contact with other students in the school teachers move from room to room. Jaelina has an adorable art cart, decorated with bright yellow flowers that radiates warmth and cheerfulness to her students, this allows her to be optimistic throughout the uncertainty of the pandemic. She loves working with her students and can’t wait to see their first completed projects. She states “The adjustments are going well and [they] are constantly improving [their] strategies.�

BROOKLYN VINCENT After graduating from PSU, Brooklynn received a traveling art position for the Abilene USD 435 School District teaching Kindergarten through third grade. She travels between two buildings and is excited to decorate her own classroom while representing her own personality and promoting a creative atmosphere. She is teaching both face to face and online, which poses challenges for the art teacher; multiple assignments in two different modes on a weekly basis. Her students have been warmly welcoming her to her new role, adding positive notes and drawings to her rooms. She has begun a Masters degree program in education at PSU, as well as developing illustrations in ink and watercolor geared toward elementary students. She also is freelancing as an independent graphic designer.

06 PORTER.

DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY PROTOCOL FOR COVID-19 After a long five and a half months, Porter Hall is bustling with students once again. However, due to Covid-19, things are a little different this semester. In order for students to attend classes in person, PSU and the Art department have made changes to classes, cleaning protocols and working in the studio.

In accordance with social distancing, classes have gone fully online or switched to Hybrid format. Hybrid classes split their students into groups, depending on the class size, and students attend the session they are assigned. Furthermore, seating in the classrooms are spaced out to allow students to socially distance, even during class time. Students that are attending in person classes or working in the studio, must follow the Department of Art Studio Cleaning Protocols which lists guidelines to creating a safe environment to work in.

The Department of Art Studio Cleaning Protocols is a reminder for students of what they should do before, during and after working on projects or attending classes. In order to allow students to use the studios, these cleaning protocols should be followed to protect other students and themselves. First and foremost, when entering the classroom or studio, students are encouraged to wipe down their stations or desks before and after the usage of the area. Sanitizing wipes, disinfectant spray , and paper towels are available in every classroom for this specific purpose. Secondly, the Department of Art, as well as the rest of PSU, are following the State of Kansas Mask Mandate. Masks must be worn while in any PSU building. When working on projects, students should avoid using other’s supplies to avoid cross contamination. On the same note, students should remember to wash their hands often and use hand sanitizer. Hand Sanitizers can be found on every floor of Porter Hall. Lastly, it is crucial to social distance as much as possible to avoid being in close contact with others. These cleaning procedures allow for students the opportunity to work in the studios.

Before Covid-19, students could come in and out of the building to work on projects at any time, however, now they must sign up for a time to work in the studios. This allows for the department to keep track of who has been in and is in the building and allows for custodians to sanitize the classrooms and studios before in person classes start for the day. Sign-ups are available through Canvas.

Although the culture in Porter Hall may seem different, it remains a welcoming and safe space for students to practice their craft. We still have each other to lean on during these unknown times. Together, we can forge a new path that will forever be unforgettable.

CATCHING UP WITH STUDENTS

SEPT. 2020 07

DEANNA KORTHALS This summer, Art Education student Deanna Korthals spent time enjoying the outdoors. She went to Yellowstone National Park, helped a friend with a surprise proposal, and even got engaged herself! Despite some limitations, Deanna found fun ways to enjoy her time during the break. She even gathered rocks, sand, and shells from various places to create sculptures for her front yard. Sadly, Deanna is unable to get the field experience that was planned for this semester and the new safety protocols have taken some adjustment for her, but she remains positive and hopeful for this semester.

ABBY MCCOY Like many others, Abby McCoy was unfortunately furloughed this summer due to the pandemic. It was the first time she’d been out of a full time job in years, so she had to find new ways to spend her time.

Luckily, Abby discovered that the public library offers free digital books on the Hoopla app, so she spent her time reading an ample amount of books. She also took time to practice in her sketchbook with drawing prompts. McCoy has adjusted well to the new safety protocols throughout the art department and remains prepared for any future changes. Though current events are gloomy, Abby is looking forward to the change in season, as fall is her favorite time of year.

VIC MARTINAC Spending time around great people is what got Vic Martinac through the chaos of this summer. She experienced a lot during the break and like many others, was forced to cancel plans, minimize travel, and reduce activities. Fortunately, she was able to spend some time sharpening the skills that she developed on her own and learned from class.

She is confident that this will be a successful year and looks forward to her final semesters at PSU. Since she started working immediately after online courses ended, Vic has adjusted well to wearing a mask and following other safety protocols being implemented this year.

08 PORTER.

FALL EXHIBITIONS

from the psu permanent collection

OCT. 1, 2020 - NOV. 20, 2020 UNIVERSITY GALLERY SCAN THE QR CODE TO VIEW AMANDA HOOD’S WORK