Category Archives: art education

Women’s History Month

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Annie Leibovitz

Nature is so powerful, so strong. Capturing its essence is not easy – your work becomes a dance with light and the weather. It takes you to a place within yourself. –  Annie Leibovitz, famed portrait photographer

Throughout the month of March students and I have been discussing the work of well-known female artists. It’s a theme I use often, but particularly focus on during Women’s History Month. This week into next we’ll be wrapping up the event with Annie Leibovitz, an artist who’s taken photographs of some of the most iconic faces of popular culture.

Spring classes open to the public!

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I’m excited to announce a list of late afternoon classes I’ll be teaching in the Spring at the New Art Center of Newton, MA, just ten minutes outside of Boston! Teaching at the center gives me a little more creative freedom than I have in public school and I’ve begun to happily plan out the term starting in April.

Cartooning and Comics, Gr. 2-4

This class is designed to introduce students to the basic techniques of drawing humans, objects, and animals cartoon-style. Students will learn to give realistic expression to their drawings of original characters and caricatured celebrities. Studying anatomy, proportion, movement, etc will allow students to become more confident and creative cartoon designers. Class discussion will focus on the work of classic cartoonists to better understand and appreciate the art form of cartooning.

Graphic Novels and Manga, Gr. 5-8

Explore the genre of the graphic novel with comic books and manga. Delve into the history of the medium and its influences on animation, anime, music, and film. Students will create their own graphic novel and focus on story structure and pencil and ink art. Students are required to bring a sketchbook to class.

Drawing and Painting, Gr. 9-12

This class is designed for beginners and advanced students who are serious about drawing and painting. Different techniques and a wide range of materials will be used to explore and help redefine students’ art class experience.

Drawing and Coloring Media, Gr. 6-10

Working from still-life, photographs, magazines, and independent ideas students will be introduced to specific drawing fundamentals and techniques.  Various mediums will be used such as, graphite, ink, charcoal, chalk pastel, oil pastel, graphic markers, and conté crayons. Personal style is celebrated and encouraged!

2D/3D Mixed Media Art, Gr. 8-12

This class will offer students the opportunity to make art using different materials and various media. Painting, collage making, blogging, directing, building — anything goes for the serious artist who has something to say. Students will be inspired by modern and contemporary art as they interact with the New Art Center’s current exhibition in the main gallery. A great class in particular to use the creative process to express oneself by thinking outside of the box!

Counselors-In-Training Through the Visual Arts, Gr. 7-10

Would you like to become a young leader in the art world? If you’re interested in visual art, photography, music, dance, theater, and/or organizing events — this is the perfect ‘class’ for you! Led by K-12 art teacher and Teen Program Coordinator, Steven Wilber, participants will learn important leadership skills and tools to organize art-related activities, develop budgets, and plan programs like field trips, community art projects, teen night outs, art exhibits, and more.

Progress report

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A cloaked figure by Ilan, 13.

This week started off great after the holiday weekend! As the semester begins to wind down I’m giving students more freedom in class and seeing just what they’ve learned in class (and if they were paying attention these last several weeks). I’m starting with my kindergarteners and working my way up.

Yesterday I asked my k’s to assemble from clay a pet of alien design for their action heroes that were created a week ago. I watched carefully as everyone created limbs and “scratch & attached” with slip to form unique creatures. After looking them over, each figure remained hollow (important during the firing process), was put together correctly with safe use of a pin tool, and all had its own story to tell. I’m very proud of them!

The success continued with my seventh graders who have been working on drafting their own comic book. Many of the students have been wary of inking their pencils, afraid to ruin weeks worth of work. I requested that everyone practice inking a figure in their sketchbook after reviewing the steps. I was impressed with the end result and I think it gave the students confidence to proceed. One student showed me an example of a similar try out she had done at home, then compared it to her practice piece from class and expressed how pleased her work had improved. I’m glad the students are learning to experiment more with their art and, more importantly, have fun. My older students are beginning to develop their own style with their artwork and it’s exciting to be a part of the process as it progresses.

A manga inspired school girl/princess by, Sarah, 14.

Announcing new classes!

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Grade 2

I’ve very excited to announce a list of new after school classes I’ll be teaching at the New Art Center. Also has the Teen Program Coordinator for the NAC I’m planning on some fun art-related events. More info soon. The jammed packed creativity starts early 2013 and registration opens today!
Teen Graphic Novel and Manga Exploration

Explore the genre of the graphic novel with comic books and manga. Delve into the history of the medium and its influences on animation, anime, music, and film. Students will create their own graphic novel, focus on story structure and pencil and ink art. Sketchbook required.

Teen Drawing & Painting

Students will learn the fundamentals of drawing and acrylic painting in this energetic studio class. The class will cover composition, style, mark making, light and shading and other fundamental techniques. Additionally, class will look at contemporary practices of drawing and painting for inspiration and new ways of working.
Teen Advanced Open Studio

In this course students will be encouraged to pursue current interests and artistic skills that establish a solid foundation in the visual art practices. Choose you favorite media and work with professional artist and teacher, Steven Wilber, as you develop your artwork. Explore drawing, painting, sculpture, and other mixed media, that includes illustration, graphic novel, collage, and building techniques. Expect to make a final masterpiece by the end of the term!

Young Professional Artists Career Exploration, Gr. 6-9

Starting with the basics and moving beyond, learn the steps to become a professional artist. This class is for students seriously considering the art world in their future or just interested in improving their painting and drawing skills. Some 3D work may be involved as the course progresses. Expect positive group critiques every week.

Leadership Through the Arts, Gr. 7-9

Would you like to become a young leader in the art world? If you are interested in the visual arts, photography, music, dance, theater, and/or in organizing events, this is the perfect space for you. Led by art teacher and Teen Coordinator, Steven Wilber, participants will learn important leadership skills and tools like how to organize art-related activities, plan budget, raising money, and develop programs including field trips, parties, community art projects, teen night outs, art exhibits, and more.

Creative Sculptures, Gr. 3-5

Use handbuilding techniques to create both functional and sculptural objects! Students in this class will develop an understanding of the materials and processes involved in ceramic art-making.

Wheel Throwing & Handbuilding, Gr. 3-5

The New Art Center offers a well-equipped ceramics studio for children to have fun while learning methods and techniques of working with the potter’s wheel. These are among the most popular classes. Students learn how to create their own mugs, bowls, plates, and glazing techniques. While this course is strongly focused on wheel throwing, students have the option to enhance their work, by adding texture, special touches, or a sculptural detail to their creations by altering wheel thrown shapes with hand building techniques.

Happy Halloween!

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WONDER WOMAN #118, 1996

I think some adults enjoy Halloween almost as much as children. I’ve been delightfully putting together a pen and ink lesson for my graphic novel class using the elements of horror and shadow in comic books to create a definitive mood. Unfortunately classes were postponed due to the hurricane that blew through the East Coast, but I had so much fun pouring over old comics as I searched out examples to show students.

Prolonging the fun — !

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Black Panther #1, 2005

Because of the success of my after school programs, both Graphic Novel & Manga Exploration, Grades 6-9 – Mondays, and Architect’s Building Studio, Grades 2-4 – Wednesdays, are being extended into late fall. There are still a few openings in each class. Please help me spread the word. I’ll also be announcing more fun art-related events in a few short weeks. I am very excited!