School-Based Art Education with Arts@Large
Short-term, educator-designed projects providing supplemental art education at various Milwaukee Public Schools. Projects were specific to learning goals, and created through small and whole group instruction. Outcomes included large-scale murals, faux stained glass windows, and instruction in small-scale painting and drawing techniques. Ages and grade levels varied from K4 to high school students. Projects allowed students’ ideas and voices to shine through and for them to take ownership of each piece.
STARMS Early Childhood Center
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: K5
Arctic Animals
Worked with three K5 classrooms (approximately 47 students) to create original drawings of animals from the Arctic. These drawings were transferred onto 3 large canvases, which the students painted via small group instruction. The mural was used as a background for learning activities and linked to their Social Studies curriculum. Students learned about the different animals of the Arctic and their habitat. The mural was then displayed in the school. Students were taught simple techniques for observational drawing and painting, through hands-on, artist-led experience.
Arts@Large Community Center
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: 1st-High School
Observational Drawing
Introduced and taught observational drawing techniques to various-aged school groups (1st grade through High School) during field trips to the Arts@Large Gallery. Students were taught drawing and watercolor pencil techniques and received artist-led instruction through hands-on experience.
Longfellow School
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: 7th
Green Space Murals
Worked with three 7th grade classrooms (approximately 102 students) to create original artwork relating to a “Green School” theme. Students viewed murals throughout the community for inspiration, then used information gained in their study of science and the development of the school “Green Space” to create a visual depiction to be used to beautify the outdoor space.
Forest Home Elementary School
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: 3rd
Geography
Worked with one 3rd grade classroom (approximately 19 students) to create a large map of the continents using watercolor pencils and oil pastels. Project was tied to their Social Studies curriculum and focused on geography, map skills, and directionality. The finished product was then displayed outside the classroom and animal cut-outs (facilitated by another artist) were added onto the map and placed in their respective habitat locations.
Forest Home Elementary School
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: 3rd
Zentangle Garden
Worked with four 3rd grade classrooms (approximately 80 students) to create original drawings. Students used acquired knowledge from Science lessons to create original "Zentangle Garden" pieces containing vocabulary about gardens, sustainability, and their Green School Project. The artwork was then displayed at the school. Students were taught drawing and watercolor pencil techniques and received artist-led instruction through hands-on experience.
Longfellow School
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: 3rd
Milwaukee Landmarks
Worked with three 3rd grade classrooms (approximately 91 students) to create canvases depicting what they learned about the history and landmarks of Milwaukee. During their study of Milwaukee, students combined their acquired knowledge to create a mural to share information with others. Their work was then hung and displayed in the school.
Clement Avenue School
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: K5
Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Worked with one K5 classroom (approximately 17 students) to create a mural of the life cycle of a butterfly. Project was tied to their Science curriculum and used acquired knowledge. Final piece was displayed in the classroom and used as a visual aid for future K5 classes.
Clement Avenue School
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: K4, K5
Farm Animals
Worked with one K5 and two K4 classrooms (approximately 56 students) to draw their favorite farm animal. The students then used these drawings to paint their animals onto individual canvases. Project was tied to their Science curriculum and occurred after their field trip to Oakridge Farm. Paintings were displayed in the school, and students were then able to take them home.
Clement Avenue School
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: 2nd
Animal Research Project
Worked with one 2nd grade classroom (approximately 20 students) to create original drawings of animals painted on canvas. Students had been learning about animals, their characteristics and habitats in their science unit. Student work was displayed in the school hallways.
Longfellow School
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: 8th
Faux Stained Glass Window Coverings
Worked with one 8th grade classroom (approximately 28 students) to design a series of 12 paintings to cover the windows in the school library. Paintings were created in a faux stained glass style, with glue-based mediums added to the paint. Students researched the genres of literacy, chose a variety of books and characters to be portrayed in the project, and learned about design/composition through hands-on experience and artist-led instruction.
Community Art with Artists Working in Education
Short-term, community art projects in schools, parks, and organizations throughout Milwaukee. Projects have included outdoor murals (Mitchell Park and Havenwoods Neighborhood Association), supplemental art classes (El Puente High School) and weekly drop-in art sessions for families affected by domestic violence (Sojourner Peace Center).
Mitchell Park
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: Various
Community Mural - "Hot Melty Summer"
Worked with community members and neighborhood youth to paint a mural on a building in Mitchell Park. Sessions were designed as a drop-in workshop and everyone was encouraged to stop by, pick up a paintbrush, and join in. Led a small group of teen interns to assist in the process. Additional shapes were then individually painted and added to the wall.
Sojourner Peace Center
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: Various
Mosaic Mural
Assisted Lead Artist, Jessica Laub with the facilitation and creation of a permanent mural inside Sojourner Peace Center. Worked with various aged youth in a group setting to create mosaic and ceramics-based pieces that were used in the final installation.
Havenwoods Neighborhood Association with Teen Interns
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: High School
Havenwoods Mural
Worked with group of High School interns from Earn-to-Learn and A.W.E. (approximately 12 students) to design, implement, and create an original mural based on their ideas and designs. Mural was installed on the exterior of a building in the Havenwoods neighborhood.
El Puente High School
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade: High School
Supplemental Art Class
Worked with one High School classroom (approximately 20 students) to provide supplemental weekly art education. Projects focused on drawing, painting, mural-making, and sculpture. Year-long assignment was cut short and ended abruptly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.