CURIOSITY and Engagement

The Edgar Allan Poe metal lunchbox was created a few years back for the James Morris Public Library fundraiser, Art Around the Box. I am excited to say that I will be creating another box to benefit the library on Saturday, March 22. I even recruited Mr. Chapman to design a box! One of the ways that I stay curious, motivated, and engaged in teaching art is to participate in community events such as Art Around the Box. What will my theme be this year? As an artist, I think a lot when I walk, drive in my Jeep, and cook dinner. I also have random ideas at random times, like when I am trying to fall asleep at night or at 4:00 in the morning when my cat decides my feet are the best pillow ever. This is when I think of ideas for creating my own art. But more often the case, my mind is sorting through a myriad of project ideas to teach in art classes with my students. Usually it is my students that drive my thinking. Students are reflective. My favorite part of teaching is the dialogue about an image or watching the class in action draw, paint, or sculpt artwork. I only get to see my students once a week for 45 minutes, and my students and myself try to maximize our time together in sometimes a world of order and at other times a world of chaos. I like to think of the art room as controlled chaos, a fantastic place to let go. Students learn art techniques, build art vocabulary, and expand on their creativity. Students discover who they are and what they are passionate about. We all make mistakes (yes, even me). I find myself tweaking lessons, especially after a lesson has not gone smoothly. Students are naturally curious souls. It is my job to make students more curious. Curiosity = Engagement.