2013 MAEA District 9 (K-12) Art Show

Joplin, Monett, Carthage, Webb City, Neosho, Carl Junction, Diamond school districts represented. Shots are of the opening reception. Collaborative work is a Robert Delaunay piece by participating art teacher and my 3 and 5 year-old nephew.  Thanks to all who participated. It was a huge hit!

Sightlines: Spiva Third Grade Visit 2013

Each year I design a gallery guide, take-home project, and collaborative project for 1200 area third graders who visit the art center in February in partnership with Spiva staff. In particular, Education Director Karalee McDonald was key in curriculum design and implementation this year! I also recruit over 100 volunteer hours. Whew. It is a huge endeavor, a gem of teamwork I am proud to be a part of. 

Below: Shaun Conroy, Spiva staff, welcomes two classses of Cecil Floyd Elementary students.
Upstairs in the classroom, students roll a die to determine how to draw their silly creatures.
1200 students each draw what hope looks like onto a fabric square. Squares will be quilted, shipped, and auctioned off to benefit families of Hurricane Sandy and local Joplin groups.

 

 

Arlo is a Photographer!

My nephew Arlo got this rockin' Lego camera for his 4th birthday.

Self-portrait.

Self-Portrait II.

Mom hamming it up and big brother ticked 

he's not the center of attention.

New pet?

Big brother grabbed Arlo's camera and took this shot. 

A look of frustration only a big-brother could capture!

Visual Thinking Strategies

This framework is a relatively new push to improve critical thinking and language skills. It's not designed just for art teachers to use with their art students, but for all teachers and adults to utilize with kids. It's simple, direct, revealing, and effective. Read all about it here: http://www.vtshome.org/

I designed VTS into the Spiva Third Grade Visit this year, where 1200 kids participated in the gallery, responding to one particular piece of art. It was fantastic.

I recently put up this display in my department, for the art and art education majors to see: