Visual Arts
Visual Arts Professional Expert - Kathy Barbro
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I once read a quote "Everyone is a genius at something" which is the closest description I can find to my philosophy of teaching art at Dixie Canyon. Our students continue to amaze me with what they can do, they just need a chance to try out as many creative outlets as they can. Drawing, painting, printmaking, weaving, ceramics, fashion design, architecture drawing . . . all are covered in our school's art curriculum.
Over the years I have built a collection of projects that overlap other areas of study as often as possible. For instance, when 3rd graders are working with a Friendship theme in Open Court, I show them how to make friendship bracelets, which links back to the weaving lesson recommended by the CA Visual Art Standards. This year the first graders will make ceramic pinch pots with faces, which will turn into small planters as they study a unit about plants. Fourth graders studying missions learn about architecture drawing. This list grows every year as I find more ways to link subjects together, in my continual quest for "the perfect art project".
For those of you that are interested, my background includes a B.F.A from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, followed by almost 20 years of working in graphic design. In my "spare time", I also create stuffed animal patterns which can be seen at www.rumpledquiltskins.com and blog about art projects at www.artprojectsforkids.org. But by day, I have the best job in the world, teaching art to kids at Dixie Canyon Avenue School!
Kathy Barbro
Dixie Canyon Visual Arts Professional Expert
