Food for thought...
When I was in the seventh grade, I was in an art class that I just loved. It was one of the only classes that I looked forward to going to. We did a lot of fun things like make puppets and put on a puppet show for the kindergarden classes, and make pottery
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This is an amazing expression of a thought that's really something I believe, also. I'd 'love to be an artist when I grow up' and all along the way, I know I've created some stuff that, if a teacher judged me solely on particular pieces, they could have kicked me out of art programs with some pretty harsh words also.
Creative expressions though...it's different than anything that has 'one answer' or 'one approach'...and because they're a vehicle for voices, experiences, and things that one might only be able to express in this one way...teachers need to focus on the difference between a 'critique' and the type of criticism that can really cut someone off at the knees, and which can serve to insult not only the expression, but what takes a lot of courage to express. Taking away the 'means' can also destroy 'the voice' behind it.
A few years ago I volunteered as a teaching assistant in a local program for the arts called "Dreams". It was attended by kids who were recommended to it by school counselors and probation officers...troubled kids, with the hope that the process of creating would bring out a new sense of self-esteem, would tap into a new sense of importance and a new voice, and it was an amazing experience that taught me so much.
Kids who came there were full of stories like yours..."Well, I didn't think I could do anything like this because so-and-so in 'position of importance in child's eyes' said I was so bad at it that they didn't want to waste space in the class".
My heart was broken for them so many times, and then raised again as kids realized what a voice 'process alone' gave them, and when encouragement tapped talent that was given up on because of one piece of pottery that had 'fallen'. I can't think of some of the experiences without getting really choked up...some kids who, along with their artwork, had felt 'given up on' and 'no good for pottery, drama, painting, music' were suddenly completely different kids. (I would love to go back there someday...can you tell? ;)).
Too much emphasis is put on 'the result' sometimes in those 'creative realm' classes. I considered it a great critque in my college art classes if, even though a piece was overall nowhere near stellar, fellow students could point out some strengths, here or there, through process. Even though that wouldn't be a work that I wanted to stand for the 'best of me', it became a work that opened my eyes to the strengths of 'one thing that I had done' that I could remember for the next project. Combined with other little things like that, maybe I could come up with that piece that I wouldn't mind so much if it stood for me.
I think it was Kate who I was telling about my 3-D teacher (I DO suck at that, I'll say it for myself ;)) who would throw our stuff against walls if he didn't like it, or distinguish simply between an A and an F table. In the end though, I think he was trying to bring us to the lesson of 'being pissed off enough to find the in-between grades' for ourselves, and openly prove him wrong. Even at university age though, before coming up with that, it was extremely hard to handle, and if I wasn't extra pissy at that time in my life, I probably would have cried and then abandoned any attempt at 3-D stuff.
I don't know...I think I'm traveling all off topic now, but...I think it's so important to encourage the arts, which, sometimes you bring a natural talent to, but in a lot of ways, you tap into by 'experiencing them' for yourself...especially in the early years for kids so that they're not afraid, discouraged, or downright silenced, to experience.
Thanks for the read...it gave me a lot to think about!
~m&m
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I've been thinking about trying to get that site up in gear again (which granted, will take me forever, but) and if I did, could I talk you into letting me post this as one of my 'guest essays' someday?
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