The Allston-Brighton TAB just came out with a great article highlighting 2009 Teachers as Artists Fellows Karyn Brotman, Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Virginia Kropas, Brighton High School. Read all about it!
Click here:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/allston/fun/entertainment/arts/x931197575/Brighton-teachers-get-teachers-as-artists-grants
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Harbor School Visit
Visiting the Harbor School...I don’t know where to begin…there’s so much to say. Last Friday I went to check out Jozeph Zaremba’s visual arts classroom at the Harbor School in Dorchester. Jozeph, a 2009-2010 TAA fellow, will be traveling to Florence this summer to participate in an arts and creative writing workshop. He’s so excited about his trip he’s already started trying out his new Renaissance curriculum for next year!
Class was already in progress by the time I arrived. Students were separated into four groups…or I should say four guilds; printmaking, anatomy investigation, frescos painting and clay sculpting. Students work in their particular groups and focus on their given medium. These groups or guilds provide an experiential way of learning so that students understand how artists of the Renaissance worked. Each student is an apprentice and must sign an apprentice contract; agreeing to the work that is to be done. Each week students will rotate to a new table to work with a new medium.
I visited each group and checked out the work they were doing. At some tables, like the printmaking and fresco groups, students looked at images of the Renaissance to inspire their work. Students working with clay were creating an image of ‘what learning means to them’ and the anatomy students were sketching fossils and various things from nature such as shells and branches and generating questions about the objects they examined. Mr. Z (…as the students call him!) hopes to parallel this curriculum next year with the Harlem Renaissance.
After grades were recorded(At the end of each class every student receives a grade; Mr. Z looks at each of the student’s work and together they determine the grade.) …Green Light! Yellow Light! Red Light! This is Mr. Z’s signal for: Stop what you’re doing and listen up! On the board were several questions about the Renaissance and students had to shout out the answer cohesively as a group over and over until everyone was saying the correct answers together. And they couldn’t go to their next class until everyone had it. But they got it done and off they went! Hopefully remembering the answers for next time…
After class, I got a tour of the “art department”, which is what it should be called because it’s such a huge, beautiful space. The students usually start in one large classroom to reflect on the previous class and discuss the lesson ahead. They then move to the next room where the art-making happens. Mr. Z showed me several student projects including journals where students keep a log of their art work and written reflections. I also was able to see some examples of the eighth grader’s portfolio covers. Students who are ready to graduate must prepare a portfolio of their work from their entire Harbor School career and present it in front of a panel in order to graduate. Students must design a cover that represents them for this portfolio. The covers are then judged by panelists and several are selected as winners; the judging criteria are not only artistic talent but also merit and effort. The incoming class of eighth graders were working on theirs so I got to a few more examples and one from a student who will be an incoming freshman at BAA next fall!
Several key highlights included:
• Observing a full inclusion classroom; I’ve never been a part of or observed a classroom such as this and it was such a positive and interesting experience.
• Learning about Mr. Z’s content driven curriculum; he works with fellow teachers to create fusion between the academic classes and his art class. For example, students were learning about Hurricane Katrina in one academic class and Greece in another; both topics were used as the trajectory and the subject matter for the students’ art making.
• Learning how Mr. Z calls parents or sends letters of commendation home to praise students for good work. I think that this action is commendable itself-a teacher sending home praise rather than criticism.
The Harbor School’s structure is comprehensive and it seems to be a great learning environment. I had a wonderful visit! So I say, thank you to the Harbor School, Mr. Z and his students!
Class was already in progress by the time I arrived. Students were separated into four groups…or I should say four guilds; printmaking, anatomy investigation, frescos painting and clay sculpting. Students work in their particular groups and focus on their given medium. These groups or guilds provide an experiential way of learning so that students understand how artists of the Renaissance worked. Each student is an apprentice and must sign an apprentice contract; agreeing to the work that is to be done. Each week students will rotate to a new table to work with a new medium.
I visited each group and checked out the work they were doing. At some tables, like the printmaking and fresco groups, students looked at images of the Renaissance to inspire their work. Students working with clay were creating an image of ‘what learning means to them’ and the anatomy students were sketching fossils and various things from nature such as shells and branches and generating questions about the objects they examined. Mr. Z (…as the students call him!) hopes to parallel this curriculum next year with the Harlem Renaissance.
After grades were recorded(At the end of each class every student receives a grade; Mr. Z looks at each of the student’s work and together they determine the grade.) …Green Light! Yellow Light! Red Light! This is Mr. Z’s signal for: Stop what you’re doing and listen up! On the board were several questions about the Renaissance and students had to shout out the answer cohesively as a group over and over until everyone was saying the correct answers together. And they couldn’t go to their next class until everyone had it. But they got it done and off they went! Hopefully remembering the answers for next time…
After class, I got a tour of the “art department”, which is what it should be called because it’s such a huge, beautiful space. The students usually start in one large classroom to reflect on the previous class and discuss the lesson ahead. They then move to the next room where the art-making happens. Mr. Z showed me several student projects including journals where students keep a log of their art work and written reflections. I also was able to see some examples of the eighth grader’s portfolio covers. Students who are ready to graduate must prepare a portfolio of their work from their entire Harbor School career and present it in front of a panel in order to graduate. Students must design a cover that represents them for this portfolio. The covers are then judged by panelists and several are selected as winners; the judging criteria are not only artistic talent but also merit and effort. The incoming class of eighth graders were working on theirs so I got to a few more examples and one from a student who will be an incoming freshman at BAA next fall!
Several key highlights included:
• Observing a full inclusion classroom; I’ve never been a part of or observed a classroom such as this and it was such a positive and interesting experience.
• Learning about Mr. Z’s content driven curriculum; he works with fellow teachers to create fusion between the academic classes and his art class. For example, students were learning about Hurricane Katrina in one academic class and Greece in another; both topics were used as the trajectory and the subject matter for the students’ art making.
• Learning how Mr. Z calls parents or sends letters of commendation home to praise students for good work. I think that this action is commendable itself-a teacher sending home praise rather than criticism.
The Harbor School’s structure is comprehensive and it seems to be a great learning environment. I had a wonderful visit! So I say, thank you to the Harbor School, Mr. Z and his students!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
McKinley Middle and Prep HS Exhibition!
On Wednesday, May 13th, I had the pleasure of attending a reception for an exhibition of student artwork from
This was quite exciting event of both student generated art work and music! Students chose a work of art that inspired them from an artist of the past and then created their own rendition. Each student had one painting displayed and guests were invited to bid on the work. The money sold from the paintings will actually go directly back to the student artists; quite an incentive!
In addition to their paintings, students from the high school advertised a cd of original music that was produced by them! Upset by a tragic fire that destroyed several businesses in their community, students created this cd to benefit the victims of the fire. With the help of one of the math teachers and his recording equipment, the class wrote and recorded all the music on the cd in one of McKinley’s classrooms. Pretty amazing work!
There was really some beautiful work to be seen and heard. Students were excited and proud to be present and I was happy to participate in this lovely reception to celebrate these extraordinary students! Congratulations, McKinley! And thank you!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Open Call to Artists Gallery 263
Saw this posting on hireculture.org today-Mass Culture Council's website for arts organization opportunities
OPEN CALL TO ARTISTS
Gallery 263
263 Pearl Street
Cambridgeport, MA 02139
gallery263.com
Description:
Gallery263 is having a juried show which will run July 9- August 1. The theme of the show is Re-Paint a Painting. By this we mean, pick up an old painting at a thrift shop or yard sale and use it as your surface.
Qualifications:
Requirements: Maximum size 3' x 4'; no minimum size. All media welcome, i.e. oil, acrylic, spray paint, collage. Abstract or representational, whatever inspires you.
How To Apply:
$15 submission fee. Submit work via our website at http://gallery263.com/juried.php. Submission deadline of June 21st with notification by June 28th. All work must be for sale. Artists receive 70% of sales.
Apply by:
6/21/2009
About this Organization:
The gallery's mission is simple and comes from a desire to create a community of artists in Cambridge, MA. Established in the fall of 2008 by local artists Annie Newbold and David Craft, Gallery 263 is a place for celebrating the arts that brings all cultures and people together. It is recognized as a vital and energetic cultural gathering place and as an educational resource for the community. Many artists living in the area represent its constituency. Gallery 263 provides a vibrant atmosphere for artists of all mediums to show and sell their works and to interact with the community during openings, talks and workshops. In addition to the fixed gallery viewing hours, Gallery 263 achieves the larger goals of facilitating community interaction and education by offering film screenings and music events, artist workshops, youth programs, lectures and panel discussions as well as a creative space for area businesses and schools to rent for off-site functions. Through its outstanding programs and collaborations the gallery hopes to attract a broad and growing audience from the Boston area.
OPEN CALL TO ARTISTS
Gallery 263
263 Pearl Street
Cambridgeport, MA 02139
gallery263.com
Description:
Gallery263 is having a juried show which will run July 9- August 1. The theme of the show is Re-Paint a Painting. By this we mean, pick up an old painting at a thrift shop or yard sale and use it as your surface.
Qualifications:
Requirements: Maximum size 3' x 4'; no minimum size. All media welcome, i.e. oil, acrylic, spray paint, collage. Abstract or representational, whatever inspires you.
How To Apply:
$15 submission fee. Submit work via our website at http://gallery263.com/juried.php. Submission deadline of June 21st with notification by June 28th. All work must be for sale. Artists receive 70% of sales.
Apply by:
6/21/2009
About this Organization:
The gallery's mission is simple and comes from a desire to create a community of artists in Cambridge, MA. Established in the fall of 2008 by local artists Annie Newbold and David Craft, Gallery 263 is a place for celebrating the arts that brings all cultures and people together. It is recognized as a vital and energetic cultural gathering place and as an educational resource for the community. Many artists living in the area represent its constituency. Gallery 263 provides a vibrant atmosphere for artists of all mediums to show and sell their works and to interact with the community during openings, talks and workshops. In addition to the fixed gallery viewing hours, Gallery 263 achieves the larger goals of facilitating community interaction and education by offering film screenings and music events, artist workshops, youth programs, lectures and panel discussions as well as a creative space for area businesses and schools to rent for off-site functions. Through its outstanding programs and collaborations the gallery hopes to attract a broad and growing audience from the Boston area.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
North American premiere of the Vilancicos Negros
We hope you will be able to join us for this special evening.
As part of Trinity Church’s Music for All series, Boston Arts Academy presents the North American premiere of the Vilancicos Negros from the Portuguese Monastery of Santa Cruz de Coimbra under the direction of Portuguese conductor Jorge Matta.
Please join us on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at Trinity Church for a special pre-concert talk with guest conductor Jorge Matta, followed by a public performance.
6 – 7:00 p.m. Pre-Concert Talk in the Trinity Church Undercroft
7:30 p.m. Public performance in Trinity Church
Program
Folk music from Africa performed by Boston Arts Academy Lyric Choir.
Jeffrey Colby, conductor
Baroque and Classical selections performed by Boston Arts Academy Instrumental Chamber Ensembles.
Bryan Brash, director of string chamber ensemble
Chris Parris, director of wind chamber ensemble
Intermission
Vilancicos Negros from the Portuguese Monastery of Santa Cruz de Coimbra performed by Boston Arts Academy Select Choir and chamber musicians, with support from members of the Chorus and Orchestra of Emmanuel Music. Jorge Matta, guest conductor
About Vilancicos Negros
Breaking musicological and educational ground, BAA vocal and instrumental students will offer the North American Premiere of the Vilancicos Negros from the Portuguese Monastery of Santa Cruz de Coimbra under the direction of Portuguese conductor Jorge Matta.
Highlighting the fusion of Iberian and African cultures in Portugal during the 17th Century, Vilancicos Negros fuses Baroque musical style with African-influenced dialect in the Portuguese vernacular, bringing movement and drama into the sacred setting in a way that was unprecedented on the continent.
Tickets
$5 and $15 tickets may be purchased online at
http://www.trinityinspires.org/building/music/index.html
For More Information
Please contact Susan Werbe at swerbe@bostonartsacademy.org
www.bostonartsacademy.org
www.trinityinspires.org
www.emmanuelmusic.org
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
My visit to Horace Mann...
Before April vacation I stopped into the
The Horace Mann is a special school community for deaf education. Students vary in ability level; therefore some may attend speech and therapy classes in addition to academic classes. Because of the unique environment, most students remain at the school until high school graduation. Ms. Brotman says she enjoys watching the students grow; ‘it creates a comfortable atmosphere where the teachers really get to know their students well and vice versa.’ Some students move on to other schools but Ms. Brotman said, ‘The transition into other schools is difficult, but some students have been successful.’
I was interested in learning more about the school’s community and a particularly interesting issue came up- MCAS. Students are expected to pass MCAS as any other student; which I find baffling. At
After being guided through the maze of hallways and staircases (If you’ve ever been to Horace Mann…you know what I’m talking about!), we arrived at Ms. Brotman’s art room. The classroom looked as an art room should- decorated floor to ceiling with artwork and materials for projects everywhere. Soon grade three arrived; four students minus one, who had to go to speech class. Ms. Brotman introduced me to the students as a special guest by both signing and speaking. Then she gave the assignment, choose any materials from the table and use white glue to create. And off the students went.
On the table were a variety of materials, such as string, sticks, cylinders, and cardboard pieces. The students decided what they needed and soon the creation was underway. Ms. Brotman believes that it’s important for students to just use their imagination and create. One project that her students enjoy very much is using large boxes. Each student is given a box and they decide what their box will be; a house, a spaceship, a boat, a time capsule.It was very interesting to observe each student’s process which was different from the next!
At the end of class students were picked up by another teacher and filed out. I, too, had to have Ms. Brotman escort me out; otherwise I might still be at the Horace Mann trying to find the exit! It was great experience to visit this school and learn about their unique learning community. It was a wonderful visit and I thank Ms. Brotman, her students and the Horace Mann for letting come to their school. Thank you!
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