THE HIGH SCHOOL ART ROOM
New Mexico has a rich and diverse community of high school art educators. This blog aims to share and showcase our individual talents as well as to foster future achievements we can accomplish as a collective. How does it look and what does it mean to be a high school art educator in New Mexico? Let's make this a place to share our answers and support each other's efforts. The goal is to encourage collaboration and offer valuable opportunities for community partnerships.
Hello and welcome to our blog “The High School Art Room”. My name is Amber Spence, and I am the NMAEA high school division's representative.I have made many valuable connections in my three years as a high school art teacher and active member of NMAEA. I would like to share some of the connections I've made and showcase some of our achievements.
I also want to invite you to do the same. Please use this space to share your own connections, achievements and ideas or to ask for support from the NMAEA community.
I wanted to share a proud moment with some photos of my students and their families at The Emerging Voices Exhibition.
I had the opportunity to work with Nikki Turman while organizing the “Emerging Voices” exhibition at Gallery One. Nikki Turman is the New Mexico Scholastic Art Awards Chair.The show had a great turnout with many educators, artists and proud families coming together on opening night. The show featured 80 works ranging in ages from kindergarten to 12th grade from students statewide. This juried show provided a unique opportunity for students to showcase their work in front of many influential figures.
Mrs. Turman would also like me to mention that the scholastic submission window is now open
I am personally impressed with all the work Mrs. Turman does for her school. She has shared images from her Paint Knight fundraiser. She's been hosting the fundraiser for her students and their community for over six years. I plan on trying this next year at my own school. Just look at these fun paintings and photos from the event.
The Emerging Voices show was a great opportunity for students to showcase their talents as well as an opportunity for us as art educators to meet and network. I had the opportunity of meeting Egan Ulbricht, the art teacher at Belen high school, during the show’s opening.
Mr. Ulbricht is doing some impressive things with his students. Staying with the seasonal theme he shared pictures of his school's current Halloween exhibition.Mr. Ulbricht introduced his students to the work of Zdzisław Basinski’s. They took the inspiration and rain with it. I hear the clown is eight feet tall! Students worked together to make everything in the show.
Joseph Baca is the visual art teacher at Manzano High School, an adjunct lecturer at the University of New Mexico and Co-chair of The Scholastic Writing and Art Awards. If you see him at a conference, ask him about his amazing T-shirt collection. Even more amazing, he shared some of his students' reductive drawings which are featured below.
I’ve also had the pleasure of working with Lisa Gillett and her partner and fellow artist Edward Donato. You may have heard of them. They host Jewelry Uplift. I dropped in one Saturday and had the best experience making my own heart pendant and working with the lovely community they have built .
The Jewelry Uplift story represents how hard work and heart work, with a sustainable vision and intentional planning, can transform learning environments and promote successful student outcomes. An active jewelry classroom exemplifies multiple issues including student experiences rooted in identity and inquiry, social emotional support, and connection to school and community. The Albuquerque High jewelry students recognize that they are part of the decision-making process. Jewelry Uplift and the AHS jewelry program encompass Albuquerque Public School’s Goal 4 Competencies: Perseverance, Self-Regulation, Self-Efficacy and Social Awareness. Together, we navigate and develop the jewelry curriculum in a nurturing environment that embraces empathy, stability, innovation and curiosity.
When Jewelry Uplift started five years ago, the goals were to transform the AHS jewelry room into a state-of-the-art jewelry and small metals classroom in order to improve efficiency, productivity, safety, and to ignite community connection by offering free multigenerational Jewelry Uplift Community Classes. Today, students are provided with professional workspaces, equipment and tools. Professional jewelers, college jewelry instructors, as well as leaders in the jewelry industry and local art organizations are invited to talk to the classes. There is a constant stream of supportive and encouraging visitors - mentors, teachers, and community members contributing to an inventive atmosphere and productive environment. Our current goal embraces college and career readiness. In addition to our strong ties to New Mexico colleges and their jewelry programs, we strive to connect students with job opportunities in the jewelry industry.
Jill Dooner is our NMAEA division’s Director. I met Mrs. Dooner during a print making workshop last year at the NMAEA conference in Santa Fe. She is an amazing art teacher at . Please check out her class's progress on their mosaic.
The NMAEA President Liz Olive has been a great source of support. She has helped me in setting up an advanced placement art class and we got to work together to fundraise for the organization. Look at the reverse tie dye shirt she made during our fundraising event. She hand crocheted the sleeves.
I don't want to forget Jessica Krichels who is doing amazing things for NM print makers. I did get the opportunity of taking a Drypoint etching workshop at Remarque Print . Remarque Print Workshop is a community-driven printmaking studio and gallery in Albuquerque, NM that Jessica partners in. They provide artists with access to professional presses, non-toxic facilities, workshops, and exhibitions. For nearly three decades, Remarque has supported both local and visiting artists through education, collaboration, and creative exchange. I want to attend the "Screen Print Social Hour" workshops they host.
Recently in Jessica Krichels drawing and painting classes, students culminated a portrait unit with a live portrait, drawing from life with student models . It was the first time Students had tried a more professional portrait, drawing session using charcoal and conte crayons. It was a lot of fun! They did great
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