Past classes to now

A coworker of mine recently brought up an old post of mine regarding summer classes I taught for the Worcester Jewish Community Center for campers enrolled in the Art elective. It was a fun summer and I was proud that I made Art as cool (or cooler) as Sailing, Archery, and other more poplular summer activities. I hadn’t realized that some of the same projects I had done over a year ago were adapted for newer lessons with a stronger focus on the principles of Art and Design.

Here’s the post from that summer,

Summer Art 2010

Just the beginning … of the school year!

Wouldn’t you know it, I was packing for a week trip to Mexico in late August when I received a call, “Hey, are you free to teach public school for six weeks?” I barely had time to unpack and begin composing lesson plans when I found myself being introduced to two elementary schools worth of students, K-6. I had grand plans for my month and a half as the art teacher, but as many teachers know and I began to understand, there’s never enough time. That’s not to say the students and I weren’t successful with what I set before them. Rather, I’m pleased with what was accomplished and I was disappointed when realization set in that I wouldn’t be able to continue and for some classes, complete our art projects. From lessons starting with line, to shape, and on to color I managed to set up two bulletin boards with finished pieces that students can be proud of. What’s presented here is just a smattering of what my twenty classes completed. For details on the projects (Marc Chagall inspired portraits and shape fish with collage ocean) email me, sdwilber@gmail.com. Soon I plan on posting a blog of my learned experiences from these six weeks regarding time management and working with students with severe disabilities.

New classes!

I can’t believe it’s already October! I’ve been so busy with the beginning of new semester of public school (I’ll blog about that later), that I hadn’t realized my Saturday classes at the Worcester Art Museum begin next week! I still have openings in both, so please spread the word!

Beginning October 8th,

Drawing 8-10 years old – Really get an understanding of the basics of drawing and begin building on that for more indepth drawing techniques. A great way to start before taking a Painting class!

Drawing and Painting from Life 11-13 years old – Working from still lifes and models (some of whom willl be special guests) the corrolation of drawing and painting will be fully explored while students and I sketch, draw, and paint with a final piece to be presented at the end of the eight week term.

What inspires an eight year old?

Summer classes at the Worcester Art Museum fly by so fast I often don’t have time to study what students have produced for their final projects. That is, until I prepare for the museum’s special end of summer youth art show. We especially had fun during a five day, “Express Yourself” class. This was a project in which I conducted a formal art lesson for one hour and a second hour was given to students to develop their own art piece in whatever medium they chose. The theme of the piece had to be a reflection of what inspires them to do art. Everyone produced different answers, from nature, shapes, to fairy tales, and food. I am incredibly pleased with the paintings, sculptures, and poems that were created and presented last Friday. The student art show opens September 21st.


Hey kids, comics!



One way my parents got me interested in reading was by buying me comic books. Comic books quickly inspired me to draw, leading to a developing interest in art, to become a professional artist, and later on, a teacher. I learned a lot through comic books: history, geography, fair play, equal rights, classical mythology, even foreign languages. Popular publishers, Marvel Comics and DC Comics, publish terrific books directed to young children and I urge educators and parents alike to check them out.


Upcoming classes

Here are two classes I’ll be teaching for the first half of Session 2 in August at the Worcester Art Museum!

August 8-12

Drawing Your World (8-10 years old)
Explore landscape, cityscape and dreamscape in the galleries. Then draw your own beautiful world using inks, watercolors, oil pastels and other drawing materials.

Express Yourself! (8-10 years old)
Get inspired in the Museum and let loose your creativity. Experiment in sculpture, printmaking, paint and other materials to develop fun, colorful and experimental projects.

Teach peace.


I was on a morning dog walk in the neighborhood when I came across this, “TEACH PEACE”. Two simple words with so much power! Every semester I try to touch on equality and unity without getting too preachy, but today I’m trying to spread this message as much as possible and will definitely touch upon this moment again in lessons to come.

A happy weekend to all!