Mayor's Art Show Selections...

The Mayor's Art Show is a big annual visual arts event at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts!  They break Metro Nashville Public Schools into two sessions based on clusters(we area  huge district...and it would be impossible to fit everyone in..art wise...parking...really in every way!!).  It is such a great event.  We are allowed to select 2 works of art per grade level(that is kind of hard!!).  In the halls of the museum they hang high school, middle school, and elementary side by side...and you are able to see amazing artists at every level  under their amazing art teachers  direction.  On the night of the official opening...the mayor of Nashville comes to speak to the students, parents, and teachers attending the event.  Then everyone is dismissed to the halls to mix, mingle, and look at all the amazing art.  The mayor will walk the halls...speaking to the students & getting her picture taken with them.  It is a great memory maker for the kiddos!!!  I will take pictures that night too...but for now...here is the work I've selected! 

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

Evaluation Time W/ My Peeps

Spring is a crazy busy time for all of us in the arts! Programs, shows, squeezing in the last bit of learning before summer break....SO MUCH GOING ON!  I've got another layer added on to the craziness...I'm on the state team for evaluating visual art portfolio's for teacher evaluations.  I love doing it.  I get to be a part of helping teachers celebrate their strengths & find areas they might need to improve (Lord knows I have a bunch of areas to improve!!!).  This is our 3rd year in TN(not all of TN is doing it, but the larger districts are...and several smaller) doing this portfolio review.  I love that 50% of my score is no longer based on math/reading scores on standardized testing!!!!  

These are my friends...some I've been with since the beginning of my career!!
Some we've picked up along the way!! :)  

Sunday Morning Devotional With Mr.E: Plein Air

Many artists create in a studio.  A studio is safe.  A studio is comfortable.  A studio is controlled.  However, unless an artist gets out of the studio...their work will become stale.  "Plein Air" painters abandon their studios in favor of being in the elements.  They embrace the unpredictability of being outside to gain the benefit of creating in the moment.  There can be issues that arise.  Heat, cold, bugs, interruptions from their surroundings, wind, lacking a larger selection of supplies, lighting changes, and a host of other issues can cause "plein air" painting to be challenging.  However, the artist knows that the issues they face are worth the opportunity to embrace the moment for the sake of their art.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  

Philippians 4:11-13

Many people try to control every area of their life.  They create a false sense of security by attempting to plan, prep, and prepare for all things.  Their world does not embrace the moment because it is unpredictable.  Though planning, prepping, and preparing are all good things....we cannot isolate ourselves from life.  Life happens. We must learn to find contentment in whatever we face. Sometimes things do not go our way.  Sometimes things go horribly wrong.  Sometimes things are amazing.  Sometimes we are blessed beyond our imagination or what we think/feel we deserve. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds of "for everything there is a season".  Our contentment does not come from our circumstance, but it is founded in our HOPE!  We know that if we follow Christ, we have a hope & peace that passes all understanding in all situations.  In having this...we can embrace all that life has for us.  We can find the beauty in the everyday, the special times, and even in the trials we face(knowing that they are a time to trust the Lord in a knew & greater way...and that those trials build our testimony in which we can minister to those around us).  

GET OUT...LIVE LIFE...TRUST GOD

PRAYER

Dear Lord, please help me to live life in You!

Help me to find my contentment in You!

May my testimony bring You glory because it is

Your story lived out through my life.

May I embrace today..knowing You are already there..no matter what I face!!

In Christ's Name, AMEN

Abstract Expressionism: 2nd Grade

I know many art teachers that are afraid to pursue classroom discussion with young artists about "WHAT IS ART"?  It is a big topic that might be hard to wrap YOUR mind around...let alone 7 yr olds?!?! ha ha  The thing about it...kids do love to share their thoughts....AND TRUST ME...they have a lot on what is & isn't art.  Facilitate conversation without fear of answers...let students express their ideas, but be there to ask them WHY?  

I love this abstract expressionism lesson.  The students were so awesome with their questions & thoughts when we looked at a variety of pieces from this style.  They were excited to get busy & EXPRESS themselves once discussion was finished! 

Matisse Inspired: 4th Grade

This year instead of doing clay house/building facades, I decided to do an interior space looking out.  We used Henri Matisse's Egyptian Curtain as our inspiration.  We discussed addition, subtraction, etching, and other clay techniques..and how they needed to apply them in their work.  

I had students paint their work with watercolor. I've shared this in the past...I do not have a vent or the extra funds for glaze. So painting them with watercolor works just fine for us! 

ROBOTS & ROCKET SHIPS: TGE K-4th ART SHOW

So this marks the 15th K-4th art show I've done at TGE! Time flies so quickly.  It is also pretty amazing how much you learn over time to help with such an enormous task (this year 530 pieces of art hung).  Unfortunately...there are also things I never seem to learn & stress out each year(I think I live on stress some times?!?!).

This post I'll show you the whole sha-bang!  My plan is to break grade levels down...as well as tips for putting on a successful art show, and I place that in a series of blog posts.  I'd love to hear how you handle doing an all school art show as well!!  This old dog likes to learn new tricks!!! 

I'm in charge of the main hall boards...self promotion at its finest!!

My kids acting silly in front of the inflatable robot (something we already had at the school... thought it was a great way to advertise for the show!!)  

We are a Title 1 school (80%+)...so it is important to keep records of how many people attend our functions.  Plus..I like to see how the numbers stack up to years past.  The baskets contain THANK YOU cards that the kids made for those who attend.  We only had two left over...pretty good!! 

Activity table!!  I started doing activities at my art shows a few years ago. I love seeing the kids make things along side their parents/grandparents!!  

Here is the end product of the activity table!!
SO FUN!

KINDERGARTEN

Kindergarten did a mixed media project. They used crayon, water color, and construction paper.

1st GRADE

1st Grade did tempera paint robots with a pattern background (construction paper crayons). 

2nd GRADE

There are three different projects I displayed for 2nd grade.  There was a real struggle for consistency in this grade level's projects.  I ended up doing several under the theme...and letting them select their favorite. 

3rd GRADE

I hate to play favorites, but this project was my favorite out of the whole art show. The variety blows me away...and level of craftsmanship is WONDERFUL!  The students spent about three weeks on it.

The first week we painted alien landscapes.  The second week they created a unique rocket ship.  The third week they used colored pencils to add detail and "FINISH" the picture off.  I want to take half of them home with me!!!! ha ha 

4th GRADE

4th grade has two different projects they chose from.  I liked both lessons..and really was happy with their choices.  I feel it shows a great level of accomplishment, and that they are ready for 5th grade!  

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: COMMITTED

There are times I just don't "get" art.  I have a bachelors degree, masters degree, and have been working in the arts professionally for almost twenty years, but there are still times where I just don't understand the concept, process, or media usage of an artist.  This is different from disagreeing with an artist's personal stance or not appreciating their aesthetic choices.  You can "get" it, but not like it.  That happens in things outside of the arts as well.  I'm speaking more of those things that you look at and just have to shake your head.  However, even in those moments...I can appreciate the artist's perspective and choices when they are committed to the work they are creating.  Seeing the passion of an artist for their art can sway me even in the midst of my confusion(sometimes).  Though I may not understand, I respect & appreciate the passion of the artist, and may seek to know more about their work, concept, process, and media usage because of their commitment to their work.

That is why I am suffering as I am.  Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.  1 Timothy 1:12

There are going to be times that you encounter people that do not understand you, your faith, or choice to be involved in church.  I've heard it all over the years.  I've had people tell me that they could not comprehend how an "educated" person could believe in God.  I've had people recount the horrible things that have happened to them at the hands of the "church" or "church people" (for which I am so deeply sorry for their pain and experiences).  I've literally had people shake their head at me and dismiss me when they found out I was a person of faith.

However, I've also had people who did not believe the same things I did give me an opportunity to share my perspectives because they saw the passion I had for God.  They did not dismiss me because I lived what I said I believed (though not perfectly...less hypocritically than they had seen in others).  I've had people accept me and my beliefs even though they themselves did not believe.  I have had people become comfortable enough with me to share their own thoughts on faith, and invite me to share mine with them because they saw it was very real for me.

We can not convert people.  We can not force anyone to see our view on faith.  However, we can live a life that is committed to what we say we believe, live it transparently, and passionately pursue the things of God in all areas of our life.  When we live our life "not ashamed" because we know whom we have believed..... people will notice.  They may not understand...but they might just start asking questions and try to figure out what the difference is in our lives.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, you have called us to live a life that is different from the world.  Help us to be true, real, and passionate about or faith in you.  Help us to live a life so authentic, that others have to ask questions about what makes us different.  Let us be your light.
In Christ's Name, AMEN

TGE K-4th ART SHOW 2016

ROBOTS & ROCKET SHIPS

Here is a quick video of my art show last night!  I'm planning on doing several posts about the art show, the projects, and helpful tips for making your school art show a success!  

Sunday Morning Devotional With Mr. E: Artistic Rut

Do you know how ruts get made?  They are a well traveled path.  It could be that it is the easiest path to get from point A to point B.  However, that easy/common/most used path causes "ruts" in the road to form.  Ruts can cause issues when you are driving.  As artists, we can also develop ruts in our journey.  They may start out as success.  We work in a new style or media, and get positive feed back, sales, or shows.  The success breeds comfort.  Comfort keeps us in that same path.  After awhile...ruts form that seem impossible to escape.  The best way to avoid artistic ruts is to try new things, take risks, or go down paths that you've never traveled before.  They may not always lead to success, but part of the journey is learning from our attempts & failures.  Ruts can't form if we're always going down new roads of artistic expression! 

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland .

Isaiah 43: 18-19

Our Christian life can develop ruts too.  They may form from success or failure.  We point to past success for why we continue doing what has always been done.  The idea of trying something new causes fear of failure. "Better safe than sorry!"  This mentality does not allow for God to do a "NEW THING".  He may be asking you to step out of your comfort zone, take on a new role, serve in a new way.  However, your rut may cause you to miss out on that blessing if you are unwilling to risk possible "failure"(Really..when you are serving God..is it really failure?!?! No..it is a learning/growing experience at its finest!)  The opposite rut making situation involves pointing to past mistakes/issues/failures/hurts to why we don't try new things.  We allow our negative past experiences to keep us from what the Lord might want to do in and through us because we're so concerned with not going through "that" again (insert whatever "that" you might have in your life).  He is more than able to see you through whatever He is calling you to!  He knows your successes & failures, and loves you no matter!  He wants you to trust Him.  He wants you to get out of your rut..and onto a path of faith..trust..grace..and surrender.  

Dear Lord, help us to get beyond our past wins & losses. 

We want to be able to get out of the rut...so we might experience the

amazing path/journey you have for us!  Help us to lay aside our doubts, fears, comfortably...

and trust you to be God!

In Christ's Name, AMEN 

Portfolio Review Training

I spent today hanging out with "arts" educators for portfolio review training.  It is always interesting to see the way Music, Band, Dance, Theater, and Visual Art teachers at the various levels act/interact/process information. 

Elementary Art (Janet is just pretending to work on something??!)

What happens when you leave your iPad unattended!!

(friends & peers for almost 20 yrs)

So fun to eat out at local places!!