VSA Minnesota Arts in Education: May 2012

Artists-in-Residence Site: ACHIEVE Program

7600 Boone Ave. N., Suite 72, Brooklyn Park (Con. Dist. 3)

Collaborating Teacher: Ryan Varley

Teaching Artists: Erin & Nate Moren, Tandem Made

Art form: Custom design and fabrication

Project Overview

Students worked collaboratively with peers and the artists to design and create custom furniture and sculptural pieces for the future “Sensory Room,” an environment designed to be stimulating, engaging and yet calming for students.

Project Highlights

“Students excelled at working together in collaborative groups. Between the two classes, students were split into three groups. Each group did a fantastic job of putting their design ideas together to create three pieces of furniture that are to be shared among many students at the school. Within each group, students communicated effectively as they worked together and brainstormed ideas in all stages of the project.” – Erin Moren, Artist.

“VSA Minnesota does an excellent job with giving our students opportunities that they may have never had before or will again. It is my hope that VSA continues to get the funding it needs to help students with disabilities experience the wonderful opportunities that VSA helps facilitate. VSA has been an integral part of our program here at ACHIEVE and we want to continue this collaboration for years to come. Thank you VSA!” – Ryan Varley, Teacher.

This program has been made possible in part by the Department of VSA and Accessibility at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Minnesota Department of Education and support funds from residency sites.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Cleveland Elementary School

919 Northern Avenue/124 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls (Con. Dist. 7)

Student ceramic mask and artist statement on display.

Collaborating Teacher: Barb Gutzmer

Teaching Artist: Laura Youngbird

Art form: Mask-making

Project Overview

Students identified a variety of emotions and how color and texture can help express feelings. They created ceramic masks, wrote a short artist statement and presented their work in an exhibit. Students were instructed how to use the tools and materials to sculpt masks from clay and how to glaze them. They wrote statements discussing the process, the emotions and use of color. They presented their work in an art show at the school on May 29.

Project Highlights

“The students were very pleased with their work and proud to exhibit and share it with students and staff at their school.” – Laura Youngbird, Artist

“Students had to share materials and explain verbally to others their project. They also created artist statements to explain their completed mask. Students who are normally quiet were excited in sharing their work.” – Barb Gutzmer, Teacher.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Renville County West High School

301 NE 3rd St., Renville (Con. Dist. 7)

Collaborating Teacher: Tammy Isfeld

Teaching Artist: Nikki Bettcher-Erickson

Art form: Theater

Project Overview

Students will create three mini plays based on classic fairy tales. In between the mini plays will be “friendly friendship tips” based on their own experiences, in commercial format. They will also have the opportunity to create scenic designs and incorporate music into the performance.

Project Highlights

“Students worked on various theater activities, warm-ups, auditions, casting, addressed acting skills needed to put together a performance. As they performed for an audience it was clear their confidence had grown.” – Nikki Bettcher-Erickson, Artist.

“Students became more trusting of each other and there seemed to be more smiles as the week went on.” – Tammy Isfeld, Teacher.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Minnesota State Academy for the Blind

400 SE 6th Ave, Faribault (Con. Dist. 2)

Collaborating Teacher: Nicole Zweber

Teaching Artists: Aaron Radatz; Peter Ray, assistant

Art Form: Theater

Project Overview

Students were introduced to physical theatre, a highly visual form of drama in which they will use their bodies as the primary tool for creating characters and telling an original story. They also learned about actors’ tools: body, mind and voice to become strong performers through various theater activities. The will work collaboratively with peers, staff and the artists through creative performance activities and have the opportunity to perform for their peers at the end of the residency.

The students perform their original play “Dear Journal” for friends and family.

“Students showed significant progress in all areas, and were particularly adept at physicality & personification. Many students also showed a strong aptitude for improvisation. The shared leadership element of the play creation process empowered many typically shy students to take on roles they normally wouldn't.” – Aaron Radatz, Artist.

Project Highlights

“One of the best changes came from a high school student who refused to participate in the school spring musical. She had a negative attitude before entering the first day of the residency; she saw it as a get out class pass. After the first day, she was volunteering to participate, offering ideas and showed great creative expression. On the final day/show her part of the program was one of the biggest hits. She reported really enjoying the residency and her experience.” – Nicole Zweber, Teacher.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Bren Road Education Center

11140 Bren Road West, Minnetonka (Con. Dist. 3)

Collaborating Teacher: Eric Skoglund

Teaching Artists: Anne Krocak; Joshua Mercil, assistant

Art Form: Visual Arts

Project Overview

Students worked collaboratively to design and create a handmade clay tile, fused glass, mosaic wall-hanging that reflects individuals’ creativity and their views about community.

Project Highlights

“Students were positively engaged by staff visiting and artist and developed realistic expectations for their work while planning, mold-making, glazing their part of this mosaic.”

– Anne Krocak, Artist.

“Due to the population of students (EBD, DCD) an earlier start would have been easier to manage the focus of the student. We realize that this occurred due to the late funding VSA was able to procure.” – Eric Skoglund, Teacher.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Ely Memorial High School

600 E Harvey St., Ely (Con. Dist. 8)

Collaborating Teacher: Amanda Solum

Teaching Artist: Bill Griffin

Art form: Visual Arts

Project Overview

Students had the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to create a stylized, three-dimensional clay sculpture. They visited The Bear Center in Ely where they created observation sketches in preparation for their sculpture. They learned the process of basic hand-building and glazing techniques, and the equipment used in firing including assisting with loading and unloading the kiln. Final work will be presented during an arranged exhibit during the evening of the Spring High School Band and Choir Concert at the school on May 17.

Project Highlights

“The bears look beautiful. The students are very proud of them.” – Bill Griffin, Artist.

“The students LOVED working with clay. By the end of the residency, they were more open to mistakes, and working within the limits of the medium. They worked together to create a display. They were very supportive of one another and seemed to develop a greater sense of ownership as they designed their show.” – Amanda Solum, Teacher.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Benton-Stearns Voyagers

324 3^rd Ave. S., Sauk Rapids (Con. Dist. 6)

Collaborating Teacher: Patty ZimmermanTeaching Artist: Dan Mondloch, Paramount Theater and Visual Arts Center

Art form: Visual Arts

Project Overview

During the residency, students designed and painted an original mural with Dan. The theme of the mural design, “I determine my own success,” is meant to reflect that resilience. They explored elements of art: line, shape, and color, learned about depicting emotions and symbols in art while setting goals. The community was invited to see final work created on May 17.

Project Highlights

“I was nervous going into the project but the kids are great. They are really enjoying the project.” – Dan Mondloch, Artist.

The students were given a jigsaw piece to paint their own symbols on and for Kattie, who dreams of becoming a tattoo artist, the project was a great experience. “I just decided to put a face in a paint splatter because you can show emotions through art,” she said. “I think it’s a really cool project because we don’t really have art classes.” – Kattie Pearcy, 12-year-old Student

“It is unfortunate that VSA funders aren’t able to witness first-hand the positive impact their contributions make for students with disabilities. We are so GRATEFUL that there are those individuals that recognize the need for programs in the arts for all children!” – Patty Zimmerman, Teacher

Artists-in-Residence Site: St. Peter High School / Arts Center of Saint Peter

100 Lincoln Dr., St. Peter (Con. Dist. 1)

Sara assists a student with her wire sculpture.

Collaborating Teacher: Jacki Madden

Teaching Artist: Sara Leadholm, Art Center of Saint Peter

Art Form: Visual Arts

Project Overview

Students explored a range of visual art mediums from wire sculptures and to tile mosaics with teaching artist Sara. They worked on developing appropriate social interaction with peers and adults, communication skills and problem-solving skills in addition to hand-eye coordination and making creative decisions. Final artwork was on display May 16-June 17 with an opening reception on May 17 at the Arts Center of Saint Peter where the students will be able to share their artwork with the community.

Project Highlights

“Several of the students had a chance to be proud of their work. This is not something they often have a chance to feel because they struggle too much with academic work. It is such a confidence boost for students to have their work on display at a public place and to have their own opening night. Both on opening night, during class, and when the students were letting their friends and teachers know about the art show they were using their social skills, often with unfamiliar people or in unfamiliar situations.” -- Ms. Madden, Teacher.

Artists-in-Residence Site: WELS-South Program, Dist. 191

70 West County Road B2, Little Canada (Con. Dist. 4)

Collaborating Teacher: Erin Phelps-Stark

Teaching Artists: Bonnie Kaye; Laura Henrickson, assistant, In the Company of Kids

Art Form: Movement & Music

Project Overview

Micah and staff practice their routine.

Students participated in various music and movement activities designed to increase engagement and strengthen social skills through group interaction.

Project Highlights

“Thank you VSA Minnesota for giving Micah and his classmates this opportunity. It’s so unfortunate that they do not have arts programming. They need more arts!” -- Parent.

“This week has been so fun for all involved and the performance was a huge hit! The smile on the faces of the students said it all. They were happy and eager to take part in their dance class.” -- Bonnie Kaye, Artist.

“The students were required to observe and follow the direction of the instructor. They were also encouraged to try new steps that they had never done before. Many students struggle with waiting for their turn and 25 of the 28 achieved that goal on performance day.” – Erin Phelps-Stark, Teacher.

Artists-in-Residence Site: Orono Intermediate School

685 N Old Crystal Bay Rd, Long Lake (Con. Dist. 3)

A student weaving using an adaptable SAORI loom.

Collaborating Teacher: Jo-Anne Kirkman

Teaching Artist: Chiaki O’Brien

Art Form: Visual Arts

Project Overview

During the five day residency, students learned how fabrics are made by hand using looms and accessories as well as the philosophy of Japanese SAORI weaving while working with Chiaki. Each student created their own weaving, making personal choices on color, texture, fiber and materials while using an adaptable SAORI loom. Students also worked collaboratively with peers, staff and the artist to create a woven banner. In addition, students had the opportunity to create a personal book. VSA Minnesota AIE Coordinator, Jenea Rewertz-Targui, spent one session guiding students to create a Japanese stab bound book that will include their weaving on the cover. The banner and books will be presented to the community during the school festival on May 4, 2012 and then permanently displayed at the school. Samples of student work can be found on: http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=73961

Project Highlights

Jo-Anne observed a change in students with ADHD and other Learning Disabilities who were more focused during the activities. She said students built communication and cooperation skills while partnering with their peers. During “show and tell” students were able to reflect and communicate positively on their own work.