Thanks to former Martinsville Art Teacher Linda Miller for her "Peek at the Past" submission...
My years at Martinsville…
The years I taught art in the Martinsville School District were so fulfilling and I am left with many great memories of amazing projects completed on the elementary and high school levels. The units studying about and learning to “paint like Van Gogh” as well as the mask units were favorites. The Spring Art Festival at the elementary school was always well attended and an opportunity to display the student’s projects.
High School students worked on spectacular homecoming backdrops. Art students also worked with the drama department (Mrs. Norton) and music department (Mr. Warnick) to create amazing back drops and props for the spring productions in the Arts Hall. It was a wonderful collaboration of departments. And then there were the units at the high school, learning art history, constructing Egyptian sarcophagi and learning to write in hieroglyphics, painting on the ceiling like Michelangelo, figure drawing with a live model from the study hall, constructing log cabins, and so many more interesting lessons.
Our field trips to the Chicago Art Museum were a wonderful opportunity for the students who were members of the Art Club to see works by famous artists. For many, it was a first visit to a large city to see skyscrapers. Our students were always complemented on how well they behaved and listened to the docents that guided us through the museum.
But most rewarding, was getting to know the students, and the opportunity to share my love of art with them. To teach students a new skill with media, and watch them gain confidence in their ability to create a quality work of art. It was always exciting…for them and for me…to see their joy at completing a great project they were proud of.
My teaching was always guided by the philosophy “Talent isn’t so rare, it’s just unnurtured.”
Thanks to Mrs. Miller for such wonderful memories...we are quite certain your former students have great memories of your amazing art classes!