Sunday, September 24, 2017

Art Educator Spotlight - Kim Barnes - Monday, September 25, 2017

I'd like to introduce you to Kim Barnes!


Kim has been teaching elementary art for five years. Her favorite thing about teaching is that "art is differentiated. It's a universal language and provides opportunities to use higher order thinking skills." 




Some highlights in her career were the One World Classroom 5th grade project, when students in grades 3rd - 5th created 1000 paper cranes which were put on display at the Children's Peace Monument in Japan, and a 4' x 6' bottle cap mural, as well as when she was recognized by her principal for turning the art program around.


Kim loves the artwork of the Impressionists. The most memorable times in her teaching are when students take what they learn and come back to school with projects they completed at home.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Art Educator Spotlight - Jennifer Hurrle - Monday, September 18, 2017

I'd like to introduce you to Jennifer Hurrle!


Jennifer teaches art at Newaygo Middle School and High School. She has been teaching for eighteen years. Her favorite thing about teaching art are the new discoveries. A highlight of her teaching career to date was when Jennifer was chosen as the 2013 Michigan Art Education Association Art Teacher of the Year and the Middle School Art Teacher of the Year. She has also been recognized by her school board for many achievements. 

                                                 

Jennifer and her high school students collaborated with the 2nd graders from Velma Matson Upper Elementary to create an artwork that will soon be installed at the Newaygo Public Library. The students created ceramic tiles with texture and lines similar to zentangles with a heart on them. The heart represents the student's pride for their school. Afterward the high school students glazed the tiles and put crushed glass from the local recycling center around the tiles. The tiles will be combined into a mural that conveys the spirit of their school district.



She's extremely active with her students organizing many art events and projects around her school district and throughout her community. Some of Jennifer's most memorable moments in her career so far were the Monster Project, the mural collaboration, and the fundraiser they do for the animal shelter each year called Pet Portrait Palooza.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Resources to Help Experience ArtPrize with Your Students


One of my favorite Art Club field trips has always been taking my students to Grand Rapids for ArtPrize. We'd make a day of it walking all over town to take in as much art as we could before we had to head back to Charlotte. For a break we'd either picnic in Rosa Parks Circle or grab lunch at Subway. The kids loved interacting with the artists, seeing the wide variety of artwork, and enjoying a day exploring the city. There are many ways to explore ArtPrize with your students and tons of resources to help make your ArtPrize experience one to remember.





     ArtPrize does a great job of providing educational opportunities for school groups as well as families. This link provides a list of ArtPrize's Educational Days, guidance for school groups, events that are family focused, and much more. And many venues also provide educational opportunities. One such place is the Grand Rapids Art Museum, which includes Drop In Studios on Saturdays where families can have a hands on art experience while they are checking out all the artwork around town.


     ArtPrize also does a great job keeping up their blog that features articles about specific educational based ArtPrize events such as their STEAM Village. This post features all of the offerings during ArtPrize Education Days.
     Returning this year are Pantone Pathways that are colored walking routes that help guide you through ArtPrize. The provided link above explains how the Pantone Pathways work as well as showing maps of all the neighborhoods throughout Grand Rapids where the Pantone Pathways are present to guide you from venue to venue.
     Since our field trips were always on the weekend with my Art Club parking was always on my mind. Here is a wonderful link that explains the ins and outs of parking downtown during ArtPrize as well as the public transportation available to ArtPrize visitors.


I hope that you'll find some time to stop by Grand Rapids between September 20th - October 8th to see all the ArtPrize has to offer whether it's with family and friends or with your students.