Teaching
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy is grounded in giving students the fundamental skills that will provide a solid artistic foundation. I integrate art history, hands on demonstrations and studio exercises to give students both traditional skills and the direction to give voice to their own unique expression. I see my role in art education as a facilitator, providing the skills and opening the doors of my student’s innate and intuitive ability to make art.
My own artwork is largely inspired by art history, science, biology and cultures from around the world. I focus a great deal of attention on my enthusiasm for these things. This presents an example to my students, for them to question what it is that they are inspired by, and how they can use their interests as fuel for artistic expression. I am acutely aware of the various learning styles, and special needs of my students. My classes are structured and adapted appropriately to allow for a variety of learning styles to flourish within the same classroom setting.
Biographies of important artists, slides, videos and web sites highlighting artists and art historical figures become tools for teaching the vocabulary needed for fluency in art. My students are required to do their own library and Internet research to be used in the development of their art. This research is then shared with the entire class in the form of presentations and integrated into critiques and critical analysis of particular works of art. Group critiques and presentations of artworks are another way for students to express what is being learned and to share and commingle ideas and information. Often I will have guest lecturers address my classes and museum visits to supplement art historical research. Hands on studio time and classroom demonstrations of materials and techniques are also essential to understanding art. I devote a good portion of studio time to practical application. Through personal story telling and art history I try to inspire and inform my students that art can be more than just a hobby.
My goal as a teacher is to foster creativity, critical thinking and development of a person’s unique sensibilities. I make myself available to students whenever possible for communication. I emphasize one on one contact, which allows students personal interaction to ask questions and express ideas. Through the use of a variety of materials and practices, ceramic sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking and mixed media, students gain practical experience with new vocabulary, medias and modalities of art making.
It is important for me to express my humanity and to encourage a sense of humanity in my students. Art and art making has been a true gift in my life. I want to pass on that legacy of a creative life to my students.
Teaching Resume
Education
1995-1997 (MFA) Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, California
1986-1990 (BFA) The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
1991 (K-12 Art Teaching Certificate) The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
1989-1990 The School of Lorenzo DeMedici, Florence, Italy
MFA, MA State Certified K-12 Art Teacher / Certificate # 428347 - International Baccalaureate
Awards
1997 The President’s Award, The Claremont Graduate University
Painting purchased for permanent collection of the Claremont Graduate University, sole recipient
1996 The Karl and Beverly Benjamin Painting Fellowship, sole recipient, Claremont, California
Residency
Stichting Kaus Australis – Invited for July 2012, Studio Accommodations / Artist Lecture,
Rotterdam, Holland
Professional Development
CAD Textile Design Course – Massachusetts College of Art, 2011
Observations and Volunteer- family programs at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park,
Fall 2012
Major Collections:
Claremont Graduate University Presidential Collection, Claremont, California
Brandes Investment Partners, San Diego, California
Selected Teaching Experience
Nashoba Brooks School
Leave Sub Pre-K Teacher and Extended Day August 2018-June 2019
October 2016-June 2017 Extended Day Teacher Pre-K through 3
September 2015 – February 2016
Pre-K through 3, Leave Sub for Extended Day Program and Visual Art
200 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA 01742
Acera School, The Massachusetts School of Science, Creativity and Leadership
February to June, 2015
5 Lowell Ave, Winchester, MA 01890
Creative Art Mornings, Art projects inspired by science and biology, drawing, painting, sculpture
Nashoba Brooks School
September 2013 - November 2013 and December 2011-May 2012-
200 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA 01742
Pre-K through 3 Visual Art Teacher– Maternity Leave Substitute
MA State Certified K-12 Art Teacher / Certificate # 428347 - International Baccalaureate, MFA
Newton Public Schools
August 2012-June 2013
Newton, Massachusetts
.2 Elementary, K-3 Fine Art Teacher- Horace Mann, Memorial Spaulding and Countryside
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School
2008-2010
Malden, Massachusetts 02148
Head of Fine Art Department 9-12, International Baccalaureate Program
Westfield State College
2004-2006
Westfield, Massachusetts 01086
Adjunct Professor of Design, Drawing II, Painting II
Santa Monica Community College-Outreach Program
999-2002
1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, California 90403
Watercolor Painting and Beginning Drawing Instructor- Santa Monica High School, Culver City High School and Kennedy High School
Pasadena City College, Extended Learning Program
2000-2001
1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Rm. D108, Pasadena, California 91106
Painting in Oils and Acrylic Instructor
The Museum of Contemporary Art
1998-1999
250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, California 90012
Gallery and Studio Educator, CAS and For Families Programs
Chadwick School
1997-2001
26800 S. Academy Dr., Palos Verdes Peninsula, California 90274
Full time Art Teacher (k-6), May 1997 to June 1998, Substitute and summer arts teacher
SELECTED GALLERIES AND EXHIBITIONS
2021
Somerville Art Museum, "Last Look Show", Somerville, MA
2017
Groundspace Project, Wonderful World Exhibition, Curated by Betty Ann Brown and Susan Joseph, Los Angeles, CA
2016
Pen and Brush, Broad Strokes, Group Exhibition, New York, NY
2014
Groundspace Project, Group Exhibition, Curated by Susan Joseph, Los Angeles, CA
2014
South End Open Studios, Courtney Hayes and Arron Sturgeon, Boston, MA
2012
Groundspace Project, Group Exhibition, Susan Joseph, Los Angeles, CA
2011
Waltham Public Library, Selected Works, Waltham, MA
2008
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Bare Walls, Chicago, IL
2007
Cooley Dickenson Hospital Gallery, l’art Pour l’art, Northampton, MA
2006
Northampton Center For The Arts, Keeping The Flame, Northampton, MA
2004
Westfield State College, Works In Progress, Faculty Exhibition, Westfield, MA
2004
Idyllwild Exhibition Center, Painting’s Edge, Idyllwild, California
2002
Irvine Fine Art Center, Small Works, Irvine, California
2002
Irvine Fine Art Center, Out of The Digital Domain, Irvine, California
2002
Purdue University Gallery, Small Prints, Lafayette, Indiana
2001
Brand Art Library, Watercolors, Glendale, California
2001
Los Angeles County Museum of Art Rental/Sales Gallery
2001
Lia Skidmore Contemporary Art, Malibu, California
2001
perfectbitch.net, an interactive gallery showing female artists in L.A
2000
Andrew Shire Gallery, The Big Wave, Los Angeles, California
2000
Gallery 825 / Los Angeles Art Association, Artscape 825-2000
1999
Cirrus Gallery, (work in stacks) Los Angeles, California
1999
Santa Fe Art Colony, Open Studios, Los Angeles, California
1998
Held Properties Building, Group Exhibition, Santa Monica, CA
1998
Marcia Wood Gallery, LA Emerging Artists Show, Atlanta, Georgia
1997
Gallery W139, Helter Skelter, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
1997
Richard Heller Gallery, Three Weeks in LA, Santa Monica, California
1997
Gallery 825, Los Angeles Art Association, Exchange Los Angeles,
1997
Andrew Shire Gallery, Three-Woman Show, Los Angeles, California
1997
LASCA Gallery, Group Exhibition, Los Angeles, California
Student Work
