A second year is done.

My second year teaching art is officially finished.  In reflection, I can say through the highs and lows I LOVE TEACHING ART and I've been truly blessed and privileged to get the opportunity to work with the students, staff, and community I have.  I can take pride in knowing I renewed many views on how important visual art is in each child's overall education, and knowing the impact its had on the lives of my students is priceless.


-GRich

Elementary Art Exhibit

Limited resources and limited space are no excuse.  Each student in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade had one piece of their artwork proudly on display for the last weeks of the school year in the elementary library.  The evening reception led hundreds of visitors to the art exhibit and gave my students the chance to share their hard work with their loved ones.

The images do not begin to express the energy that existed during the evening celebration but they are great reminder ♥

 

The smiles on both these young boy's faces, along with hundreds more I see each day in school are the reason I love teaching art and helping children realize just how creative and unique they are ♥

-GRich

The Elephant Festival; Jaipur City, India

The Festival of the Elephants


Recently, my 1st graders created elephants paintings influenced by the Elephant Festival celebrated in Jaipur City in Rajasthan, India. It is held on the day of the Holi festival, usually in the month of March. The festival features games such as elephant polo and traditionally has an elephant dance.
  
The Elephant Festival in Jaipur City, begins with a beautiful procession of bedecked elephants, camels, horses and folk dancers. The owners proudly embellish their elephants with vibrant colors, jhools (saddle cloth) and heavy jewellery. It is quite a treat to see the female elephants wearing anklets, which tinkle and jingle as they walk. One can see people sprinkling 'gulaal' (colored powder) perched on top of the elephant onto watchers as the procession proceeds. Afterwards, the most beautifully decorated elephant is honored with an award.


My 1st graders loved learning about the Elephant Festival and were inspired by photos and video clips of the decorated elephants during
the celebration.  They loved drawing their own ornate designs onto their elephants after taking time as a class to sketch the outline.  The main materials used for the project were crayons and black India ink (Mixture: India ink, water, soap).  With students finishing at different rates, the students who finished earlier then others were given the opportunity to add glitter and make ornate decorated boarder to frame their elephant painting.

-GRich

MAEA 2012 State Elementary Exhibition




Michigan Art Education Association
State Elementary Exhibition 2011
-2011 Top 15-

One year ago at this time, during my 1st year of teaching art, I was given notice that three of five pieces of artwork that I submitted to the Michigan Art Education Association State Elementary Exhibition were selected to be displayed at the state's capital, Lansing, Michigan.  Of the three pieces of artwork selected, two were recognized and given higher honors. 

The first was selected as 2011 Top 15 from the 100 elementary pieces of artwork selected state-wide to be exhibited at the show in Lansing, MI. (An image of this artwork can be seen to the left). The second, was chosen for the Michigan State Superintendent Exhibition which was displayed throughout the 2011-2012 year at the Michigan Department of Education central office. (An image of this artwork can be seen below).
 

Michigan State Superintendent Exhibition 2011-2012

This was outstanding news to hear before the end of my first school year as a teacher. I was incredibly proud of the three student's who had their artwork selected.  I was very happy their hard work had been received and recognized for the high level of creativity and skill.

Fast forward to the present.  My 2nd year of teaching art is nearing the finish and I have once again been given notice that two more of my student's works of art have been selected for the Michigan Art Education Association State Elementary Exhibition.  This year both of the students were selected as 2012 Top 15 from the 100 elementary pieces of artwork selected state-wide. I am extremely proud and happy their artwork has been honored and two more of my students can be added to the three from last year in understanding their talent is real and noticeable. What also thrills me is both student's who had their work selected are 1st graders. I will hopefully have 4+ more years with each of these students, and I'm eager to see how far they can reach their talents and expand their skills.

So much about the future is unpredictable, so I am simply living each day feeling very fortunate that I am able to work with great kids who have completely stolen my heart; I'm blessed to be able to share a role in their growth as individuals and to have the privilege of congratulating them on each of their achievements along the way.

-GRich



Children's books illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Children's books illustrated by Floyd Cooper:

Children books illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Children books illustrated by E.B. Lewis:










































































-GRich

Children's Book Illustartor and Artist: E.B. Lewis

                   E. B. LEWIS

For March is Reading Month one of my elementary schools arranged E.B. Lewis (Multi-award winning African American Illustrator and Artist) visit and speak with the students; Lewis shared stories of past struggles during his childhood, specifically as a student, and how he became an award winning illustrator of children's books. 

Lewis was very inspirational, empowering the students to believe in themselves and that if they want to be successful they will be successful.  He told them that the future is today.  It's been weeks since his visit, and I still hear students each day mention advice Mr. Lewis gave when he visited.  Hearing a student repeat, "Remember Mr. Lewis said the future is today, not tomorrow," warms my heart. 



I am so thankful for the wonderful opportunity of having E.B. Lewis motivate my students and contribute to building the confidence they have in themselves.  Every week I spend several minutes at the beginning of each class reminding my students they are talented artists, and how beautiful I think their masterpieces are.  I will never stop reminding them of these things every week, but  I understand after hearing those words from the same person over and over again, the words slowly lose their impact.  It was truly a blessing to welcome Mr. Lewis into the lives of the students I love so much, and have him remind the kids to dream big and have confidence in themselves.



E.B. Lewis has made a lasting impression on the minds and hearts of my students, it is easy for me to see inside of my artroom day after day, and its a special memory that I will not forget either.



-GRich