TEACHING ARTIST SESSION CATEGORIES
What do you love? And can you express that love in a poem? In this session, students will create a heart map with drawings and words about the things that they love (including sensory loves, rituals, nature, objects, nonhuman companions, etc). Then, their visuals will become words of wonder when they turn their heart maps into a single poem about the things that make their hearts sing.
Yes, you have a favorite color. So let’s do a deep dive into it! We will start with the book Dear Acorn, (Love, Oak) by Joyce Sidman and illustrated in collage art by Melissa Sweet. Then, students will channel that author and illustrator by creating a color collage that incorporates metaphors and writing a letter poem to a bit of the natural world. Let’s celebrate sky, rain, sun, and acorn!
It’s a multi-faceted artistic fusion! Students will listen to a variety of music and feel the mood by “dancing with a paintbrush.” But don’t stop there – each image will become inspiration for writing as well. Students will refine their word choice, incorporate metaphor, and make a masterpiece.
You’ll be over the rainbow in this science meets art session. Students will talk about how rainbows are formed and have a lesson on primary and secondary colors. Then, students will create their own rainbows using oil pastels in a creative line or shape.
Short-Term Residency option:
Day 1: Students will mix colors to make rainbows in their line or shape of choice.
Day 2: Students will create patterns from shapes by collaging, using primary and/or secondary colors.
Day 3: Students will make windsocks out of their rainbow artwork, adding their patterned borders and colorful streamers.
No one saw a flower the way artist Georgia O’Keeffe did. She looked closely, depicted flowers on a large scale, and over the course of seven decades, this modernist painter changed the art world. In this session, students will draw their own flowers, large and up-close. This project enables us to see all parts of the flower and emphasizes warm and cool colors.
Emotions can be many things: big, scary, powerful, productive, and more. And sometimes they do produce screaming, but they also inspire art. In this session, students will explore emotionally-charged artwork and poetry created by a range of artists and authors. Then,...
Sidewalk chalk is a CLASSIC! And decorating sidewalks with chalk is a form of beautification and artistic expression. In this workshop, students celebrate seasonal themes by creating haiku and other short-form poetry. Then, armed with chalk, they will decorate the school’s concrete spaces with words and images.
The Yarn Lab is an entry-level crochet program designed to introduce students to the art of crochet while building focus, patience, and creativity. In this hands-on class, students will learn basic stitches, follow fun projects, and discover how yarn and imagination can turn into tangible creations. Designed for beginners and hands-on types, The Yarn Lab makes learning both engaging and rewarding.
Do yoga in the classroom? Yes, you can! Mindful Moves is a yoga-inspired program designed to help students bring calm, focus, and energy into their school day. Through simple yoga poses, breath work, and gentle stretches, students learn techniques to manage anxiety, boost concentration, and start their mornings feeling awake and energized. All activities are designed to be done right in the classroom, making mindfulness and movement accessible anytime, anywhere.
Single session option: “Illustration in Motion” is a beginner’s guide to animation. Students will go over some of the 12 fundamental principles of animation and learn how to animate a bouncing ball. When it is time to apply skills, students will construct a flipbook that makes images come to life.
Short-Term Residency option:
Day 1: Students will be introduced to a few fundamental principles of animation and learn how to animate a bouncing ball.
Day 2: Students will learn the remaining 12 fundamental principles of animation.
Day 3: Students will get creative and make a second flipbook animating a “squishy slime” jumping forward!