Art is all around us! Art is more than just producing a pretty picture on the wall. When students enter the art room with excitement and an attitude to learn, their eyes and minds are opened to many possibilities in the process of creating art. Learning to draw, paint, sculpt, etc. is a gradual process. Art is not just an end product but a journey of experimentations, thought processes, and discovery evolving to creating the “masterpiece”.

We all have different learning styles as well as skill levels in art. Students are provided with a variety of visual art activities that stimulate a child’s learning ability and creativity, thus being a catalyst to strengthening a student’s experience of the artistic process. The students are given opportunities to expand their knowledge in basic vocabulary words, art techniques, styles, and skills and then apply this knowledge in creating their own works of art. Students are encouraged to discuss the elements and principles of design in various works of art that are studied in class and also of their own work. The students share and critique the artwork with positive comments and/or helpful suggestions.

Study of the arts also provides unique opportunities for me to work with students’ individual differences in learning styles, personalities, and ability levels while challenging students to develop their skills of perceiving, creating, reflecting, and critiquing. The arts engage students in a process of continuous refinement and growth. In an environment that encourages observation, exploration, experimentation, and discovery, students will learn how to best express themselves in their work, interpret works of art, and appreciate the natural designed world around them.

Studies have been shown that an art education helps stimulate a student’s learning ability in their understanding of other subjects. Art is an integral part of math, science, literature, and social studies. Study of the arts also produces personal benefits including self-motivation, self-discipline, perseverance, and willingness to take risks, cooperation, and collaboration.