Art is naturally incorporated in the environment and daily activities of the Pre-Primary and Primary classrooms. The children always have available a choice of ever-changing, hands-on art activities that continually occupy the classroom shelves. A wide variety of art materials are on hand to encourage experimentation and the refinement of fine motor skills. The three to six year olds also have access, via the "Art Message Mailbox," to Julie, our Artist-in-Residence, whom they are encouraged to consult about individual projects of particular interest to them. In these one-on-one sessions, Julie helps the child brainstorm materials and techniques to find the means of realizing their creative vision.
At the Elementary level the children continue to have frequently changing, free-choice projects available on the classroom shelves. The Artist-in-Residence works with groups of three or four at a time, introducing a wide range of two- and three-dimensional materials, exploring art history, and helping the children improve their drawing and sculpture skills. As their focus on research intensifies, and in preparation for class presentations, the children often request an individual consultation with Julie. During these sessions, the child is encouraged to exercise his or her problem-solving abilities, and to experiment with new media and techniques for seeing their project to completion. Throughout the year, field trips to local museums and other art centers help enhance the child's experience of the visual world.
Artist-in-Residence: Julie Schachter
Julie Schachter received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Rhode Island School of Design and a Master of Fine Arts from Mills College. She has been teaching art to children of all ages for over 15 years, both in schools and in her private studio workshops, with a focus on drawing and multi-media problem-solving.
