Courses offered:
Beginning Art for Youth ages 6-10
Monday 4:00 pm to 5:00pm
Cost is $10 per class
Materials included.
Description: this course is ongoing with Summers off. The
student will explore a variety of mediums. Projects are designed to teach kids
the fundamentals in painting, drawing, sculpture and ceramics. The children make art appropriate for their
age.
Courses offered:
Intermediate Art for Youth ages 11-16
Thursday 4:00 pm to 6:00pm
Cost is $20 per class
Materials included.
Description: this course is ongoing with Summers off. The
student will explore a variety of mediums. Projects are designed to teach kids
the fundamentals in painting, drawing, sculpture and ceramics. The students make art appropriate for their
age and interest.
Adult Art / Ladies Group
Tuesday 11:00 am – 1 pm
Cost is $20 per class
Materials included.
Description: this course is ongoing with Summers off. The
student will explore a variety of mediums. Instruction in painting, drawing,
sculpture and ceramics. The students
make art according to their interest with assistance and instruction.
LAURA LEE S. BRADSHAWÂ
Teaching Philosophy
A teacher’s responsibility is to encourage students to develop their own personal style and artistic expression. I strive foremost to influence students so that their involvement in art becomes a positive integral part of their life.
Teaching art is an art in and of itself. A positive learning environment is based on an engaging curriculum. Art education should include the following:
1) Techniques of a variety of art media
2) Elements and principals of design
3) Exposure to historical and contemporary art and philosophy
4) Tool use and safety
5) Explore and freedom to develop personal expression
6) Develop aesthetic understanding through constructive criticism
7) Clear course requirements and expectations
8) Art business practices and prep for career opportunities
My approach to art instruction focuses on demonstration and verbal explanation. The process of art is mysterious to most beginners. Yet, through skilled instruction and demonstration, a successful teacher and mentor can replace the mystery with concrete example. Assignments should progressively increase in skill to challenge student’s abilities. In all levels of instruction provocative discussion helps students discover their direction and interest. It is the role of the instructor to instigate and mediate the discussions. Stimulating thought, participation, even divergent thinking adds greatly to a positive learning environment. Students need validation and constructive criticism; the goal is to motivate students to progress to a state of independence.
Familiarity of art history is an excellent way to increase art awareness, stimulate growth, and inspire. Students attempting to find their own expression often realize it by imitating the masters or mimicking their instructor. By assimilating a variety of art styles, the student gains a collective knowledge. From this collective knowledge the student can selectively find his or her preferences and form a unique personal expression.
The best aspiration for any instructor is to be a good mentor, this means that the instructor should be an accomplished artist in her own right. Good teachers always inspire by example. The more qualified the instructor the more credible the instruction. Art instruction is more than teaching artistic skill and aesthetics. To be an excellent teacher the instructor needs to care about her students and take an interest in them. An excellent instructor has honest involvement with students, helps them in whatever possible way to direct, guide, encourage and motivate. Finally, with a dedicated instructor and a student’s willingness to learn the combination is optimum.