Art at Wesley

Highlights from this year in art

I was so happy to work with students in person this year in Art. While I did my very best to provide an enjoyable and creative space, working to help things run smoothly on Zoom during Distance Learning for 30 minutes each week, I missed the personal connections created/ maintained while working up close and personal.

In teaching art, I have found it to be a balancing act between learning technical skills, integrating art subject matter, exploring culture, and providing space for students to share who they are, what they have learned, and sometimes how they feel. I also set aside time for students to “make art for art’s sake,” in order to help them explore and discover on their own.

As I reflect on this school year in Art, there are several themes that stand out for me.

It is so important that students feel good about who they are, especially after the two years we have had. There are many ways in which we can look at identity. Through portrait work, we look at the physical details that make us who we are. This work is often threaded from Kindergarten up.

kindergarten 1st grade 2nd grade 4th grade

In 7th Grade Street Art, students explored aspects of their identity without showing their physical traits at all, focusing on at least four aspects of themselves which could be gender, heritage, maps, important dates or numbers, and/or personal interests.

Students in 3rd grade took time to share personal stories through their art, reminding us that in sharing those stories we connect to each other more with appreciation and understanding. It also reminds students that they are in an environment that is safe and cares about their life in and outside of school. Art is also a wonderful place to explore cultures that may be different from our own. When celebrating Latinx History Art, Lunar New Year, or Black History Art, the goal is to educate, celebrate, and appreciate. My hope is in that when students are excited about learning about different cultures they are less likely to harbor bias. They become interested and curious about others instead of focusing on differences.

This year, Art was also about collaborating with each other and working towards a common goal. In 3rd Grade, as an extension from Ms. Brown Time, the Social Justice class, students worked together to make mixed media posters on the subject of kindness. Students gained a deeper understanding of what bullying is, were reminded about the power of words, and how art can have an important message to share with others.

In 8th grade 3-D Art, students were asked to consider a person that they admire. The person could be someone they know personally or not. Students were not only given the opportunity to create a bust sculpture in honor of them, but they also reflected and wrote why the person was admirable. I enjoyed hearing how certain figures made an impact on each student for different reasons. The people we admire often motivate us, which makes way for growth in positive ways.

Along similar lines, 7th graders worked on a project called Street Art With a Message, where students choose a social issue to create an art piece about. The goal is to remind students that art can be used as a means to educate and heal. I want students to know that their opinion matters. In six years our 7th graders will be able to vote. It’s better that they start developing an understanding now of what they will be up against.

The final highlight of the year was the 7th grade mural project. The mural was designed by Henry Nielsen, 7th grade, and painted by the entire 7th grade class in collaboration with Muralism (www.muralism.org). Seeing student art around the school is so special for many reasons. I want students to know that Wesley is their school, where their creative ideas are appreciated and worthy of some of our wall spaces. I am grateful to have received support from Head of School, Julie Galles, the Buildings & Grounds Committee, and Church Leadership. In conclusion, I am so proud of our kids. I appreciate their creativity, energy, excitement, and joy in learning. They are open and willing to try new things. My days are filled with joy and laughter. Not that there aren’t those times when it is a struggle but for the most part I am thrilled to spend time with them each day. One of the amazing things about teaching is that you are able to start fresh each year, returning from summer with new energy and ideas. Each summer I set goals. One of my goals this year was to find art classes/workshops where I would be able to develop new techniques and play with art, for myself but also to share with students. I have already had a blast at LACMA and Skirball. I am taking a meditation/creative writing class, and will attend SEED training with colleagues Olivia Brown and Barbara Goelman. I am enjoying all that I am learning and am grateful for the support of the school in this area. I can’t wait to share it with our students. I am looking forward to another great year!

Best wishes for a wonderful new school year for all!

Trisha Singletary k-8 art teacher