Back to School!

(One of the first chalk pastel drawings by my dad, who is 65, and just starting to get into making art. SEE? It’s never too late to start learning!!)

Can you believe summer break is over already? While you enjoy your last week of vacation, I will be back at school with the rest of the Patapsco staff getting ready for your arrival.

Make sure you bring the following things to art class:

YOU: On Time

A Pencil

A Big Eraser (I have some, but they go FAST)

An Open Mind

Good Manners

Willingness to try new materials and processes

A healthy spirit of play and experimentation

That’s it? YES! That’s it. Middle school is a time when there is a HUGE range of art ability that the students bring to the table. It is not unusual to see a 6th grader that draws on a high school level and an 8th grader that draws on an elementary school level, and everything in between. Like learning an instrument, practice = improvement. It really is that simple. I will strive to meet you at YOUR level of need, I will encourage and challenge you, and hopefully, I will be able to expand your mind about the vitally important role the visual arts play in history and cultures from around the world from pre-historic times to the present. You will be graded on your effort to meet all clearly stated objectives at your level of ability, on an individual basis.

And you know what? You might not love every single finished piece of art you make. Just like an instrument, you’re not going to play every song perfectly, every time. It isn’t about that. It’s about pushing yourself to try new things and make creative discoveries. The only way you can “fail” art class is to do nothing or not try.

Bring a spirit of play and adventure with you, and let’s have a great year!