"True teachers use themselves as bridges over which they their invite students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own." ~Nikos Kazantzakis
This quote resonates with me, and reflects many of my experiences as a teacher. As I've written about before, I present art classes to children and to adults with disabilities. I do consider myself a bridge, showing my students the way to explore new things, or to use familiar things in new ways. I encourage them to make their own creative choices, which often lead to wonderful discoveries and exclamations of "I didn't know I could do that!" One recent example:
On the first day of art camp, a 6-year old drew his ideas for a dinosaur to be created out of a wine bottle. The drawing included a wide mouth with many jagged teeth, a scaly body, and beady eyes. Of course, being 6, he knew everything there was to know about the T-Rex (which I did know too at one point, when my son was that age), but thought he "couldn't make it look like what I drew." I assured him we could get close. He was doubtful, but eager to try. Unfortunately, the original drawing was discarded, but here is the result of several hours of foiling, taping, tissue papering, marking with pen, and hot gluing. When he presented his creation to the class, he proudly said: "I didn't think I could make it, but I DID," which was music to my ears.
Penny, Jeanne, and I will be the bridges our Creative Explorers will use to explore and express their individual artful voices during our unique mixed media experience. And while we can't promise you'll be making wine bottle dinosaurs, because we are creative women, we know there will be much sharing of talents, techniques, and expertise among us all (developing even more bridges--how wonderful!)
Time is running out, so if you've been thinking of joining us, but haven't registered yet, now's the time.
Wishing you an astoundingly artful day.
Until next time,