First Conference

I had my first conference with my Lesley Supervisor (Lisa) and my IS183 Supervisor, (Lucie) yesterday! It was wonderful, and I learned even more about what I will be doing during my internship. I will essentially be a T.A. for about 4 or 5 different classes, ages 8-14 yrs old, all in different mediums (wire sculpture, clay sculpture, animation, and more)... Not to mention, I will also be observing younger classes at BCD (Berkshire Country Dayschool), ages 3-4 and 5-7, as well as observing at off-site classes right in my own town! I will be able to apply everything I have learned at Lesley, particularly about Multicultural Education, and I will even be using other Lesley knowledge while I gain new experience and knowledge about grant research, museum (teaching) techniques to build upon my Norman Rockwell Museum experience, event planning, and office experience at IS183. I have a very full summer ahead of me!

For now, I also wanted to post some images of the site and what it looks like inside (I took the interior photos during my conference). I start in a little over a week!!!

IS183

Berkshire Country Day School

IS183 Staff Offices: complete with student work everywhere!

Basement Level: Ceramics Studio

Basement Level: Ceramics Studio

Ceramics Studio: this class was making xylophones out of clay! These have been hand built and glazed for their first firing...

Main Level: Drawing and Painting Studio - These students were making their own textured canvases to paint on! This is also the classroom where IS183 has Figure Drawing; I may audit that class during my internship (if I can find the time!)

One of the hallway walls leading upstairs: student work is displayed throughout the building.

Upstairs Classroom: left side- This class was making bucket drums...

...mallets and egg shakers...

...all to perform as a class, and to be recorded by their teacher!

Upstairs Classroom: stage side, with collage and other recycled supplies for this class' "Imaginarium" terrarium/diorama project

Jack Mezirow Article

Reading "Transformative Learning: Theory To Practice," I picked up on the idea of being critically reflective of the self and preconceived notions. I see this happen all the time at the Norman Rockwell Museum; people repeatedly ask, "What is the difference between fine art painting and illustration?" Some people think fine art painting is "more prestigious," where as others feel that way about illustration. Either way, when I offer my opinion from what I've learned (that neither is "more prestigious"- they are just different. Illustration is created with the intention to be reprinted and reproduced. There are certain ways you treat colors, compositions, and materials if the illustration will be reprinted. Fine art may have an intention behind it too, but ultimately it is created to be just as it when it's done: i.e. a canvas painted to be put on the wall as is...), combined with the (opposing) fact that Rockwell actually felt he was a "mere illustrator" versus a fine artist, people realize that art really is open to interpretation, and that there are fine lines people cross and set when "defining (good) art."

I hope to take this critical thinking process (about art) to IS183. It helps to disarm yourself when you are learning about or trying to make art: to remember that art is very much subject to interpretation/ subjective definitions, and that actually is something that makes it so beautiful. I am hoping it will allow my students there to feel more comfortable with the sometimes intimidating challenges of understanding and making art.

First Blog Post for Internship Seminar

As part of this blog, I will also be including some posts regarding my Internship Seminar Class at Lesley University... Here is my first!

 

Please read Two Images of Relationship and write briefly about which position--ethic of justice, ethic of care, or both--is relevant to your work in the field of community arts so far or in your internship so far. Also, please update us on what has been happening in your internship. This entry is due on June 11th.


1. I feel like in general my personality and the way I view conflicts is more aligned with an "ethic of care" position. I tend to consider "how to handle a conflict so that everyone is happier," or "what are my responsibilities to and my place in the world?" So, I feel like I approach my work in the same way; illustration and art education allow for a lot of inter and intrapersonal exploration: a lot of communication and perspective based on experience. For example, visual art can be used as a way to express emotions, to persuade others' viewpoints, or to narrate a story; all of these methods of and purposes for making visual art/illustrating relate to the human experience. Visual art is sometimes just another extention of spoken or written language and dialogue, and so experiencing it often requires or encourages participants to consider their relationships with other people and where they fit into the world.

2. So far in my internship, I have been offered an unpaid T.A. position (6 weeks long, Mon-Fri, 9AM-4PM) at IS183: Art School of the Berkshires. Being a part of this program, I am also entitled to take 3 classes: Classroom Management, Studio Techniques, and and Installation class (FOR FREE!).  I have been in contact with both my On-Site Supervisor and my Internship/Academic Supervisors at Lesley, and so my form #2 is complete with my internship goals outlined in decent detail. My On-Site Supervisor has approved my desire to design and carry out my own lesson plan(s) while on my internship (among my other goals), and so I am just waiting eagerly for my internship to start! I am also waiting for responses regarding my internship evaluation schedule, from both my On-Site and Internship Supervisors.

Paperwork = Anticipation

So I can't wait for my Teaching Institute Summer Internship at IS183! It starts July 9th and goes for six weeks, ending on August 17th. I will be a T.A. for children's summer art classes under my supervisor Lucie, and I hope to also design and carry out my own lesson plan at some point... Oh, and did I mention I get to take a few classes at IS183 as part of the program? Classroom Management, Studio Techniques, and Installation classes! I really can't wait.

At this point though, I am still filling out paperwork. Not a lot of action yet! At least I have my goals nicely laid out in my Internship Understanding (Form #2):

A.      IS183 is a nonprofit art school in the Berkshires (Stockbridge, MA) offering studio art classes in many mediums of visual art: painting, drawing, jewelry making, sculpture, photography, mixed media, fiber arts. Classes are available for all ages and levels, including summer children’s programs (at BCD as well as IS183).

B.      My Overall Goals for this Internship: (“I hope to…”)

1.       Continue to develop Art Ed. Skills and Confidence: grow in confidence and ability to teach or run an art class in a classroom setting, through:

-           assisting with as well as creating and carrying out my own lesson plan(s), and

-           through the immersive Teaching Institute internship program and Classroom Management class I will be taking as part of the program

2.       Apply M.E. Community Arts to the real-world: consider and apply multicultural education lessons from Lesley University to IS183 T.A. time

3.       Gain Experience:  gain experience as an educator in an art school setting (compared to my current museum setting experience), working with and learning from experienced the professionals at IS183

4.       See Results: See result as a desired art educator (at IS183), ready to hire

C.      My Specific Goals for this Internship: (“I hope to…”)

1.       Find my personal styles as an art educator through assisting with, and designing and carrying out my own lesson plan(s)

2.       Feel comfortable facilitating and/or leading lessons in multiple mediums (particularly those that may not be second nature)

3.       Learn something about teaching/communicating with children that I can take back to and apply at the Norman Rockwell Museum

4.       Engage, intrigue, enable, and encourage the artists within (my) students at IS183, while also being inclusive and involving all types of students who want to participate

D.      Anticipated Internship Activities:

·         6 weeks (Monday-Friday, 9AM-4PM) T.A. position

·         T.A. duties (assisting with lessons under supervisor Lucie Castaldo, and possibly also creating and carrying out my own lesson plan(s))

·         Teaching Institute program classes 3 nights/wk (3 hours): “Classroom Management,” “Studio Techniques,” “Installation Process and Product”

E.       Job Description/Title:

Teaching Assistant (under Lucie Castaldo, supervisor)

·         Helping hand in art/lesson instruction and exploration, problem-solving, lesson organization, student lesson mediation and encouragement