DCPS SUPPORTS ARTS EDUCATION!!!!!

Chancellor Kaya Henderson, Suzanne, Joele, and Director of the Arts, Nathan Diamond

O...M...G...
       (as my students would say...)


Something amazing happened today for art educators throughout District of Columbia Public Schools... I'm still pinching myself to ensure it all wasn't a dream!!




 
         It started out as a normal PD Day for DCPS art teachers, we learned about museum offerings for us and our students, and we heard from AEDC(Art Ed. DC) the National Art Education Association affiliate.  I'm a current board member and worked the past two years with some remarkable women founding, and developing this organization.  I am moving on from my board position, and was asked to say a few words about what it's like to serve on the board, and so on.  So I speak (spur of the moment because I didn't know I was going to be saying anything!) and little did I know, the Chancellor Kaya Henderson had walked(totally unexpected or announced!!) into the room.  Now looking back I'm glad I didn't know because I would have gotten totally flustered and probably would have sounded like a fool!  Anyhow, she came up to speak to the art teachers after AEDC spoke.  She talked about the dedication, and support DCPS has for arts education, she thanked us for all we do to inspire our students, and she ended by commenting on the words she heard about AEDC, and how it helps  us to Advocate, Express, Develop, and Connect as art educators.  She then told us.......

        the district will pay our membership fees, so each art teacher, 

          is a member of AEDC!!!!!!!

I know this may sound small, but this...is... a HUGE step forward for the advancement of art education programs within the district and it amazing to know that just as in the past, and moving forward, the DCPS is devoted to the advancement of arts education across our District!!!

Wondering how YOU can help AEDC assist their members Advocate, Express, Develop, and Connect across the District? Consider joining as an Art Supporter or making a donation!  

Click Here to check out AEDC's website for events and happenings!  

2 Weeks: 5 Countries

 As the first week of school approaches one of the most common questions I get as a teacher is "How was your summer?  Did you go anywhere?".  So, I figured why not share it out with all of you out there!  Paul and I ventured for two weeks in Europe, to the left is a photo of the beginning of the adventure.  We lucked out and flew first class out of Minneapolis to Amsterdam.  I'd never flown first class before(thank you airline retiree for the hook-up!) but let me tell you, I could certainly get used to it!!! Also, let me apologize in advance if this post is a bit scatter-brained... it's the last week before teachers return, we've got some trainings this week.... it's a crazy time!!!

    There's Paul showing probably what my face looked like when I first saw our seats.  My seat layed down into a bed, and I was welcomed aboard with a travel kit, and a choice of beverage.... We even had our own TV's and unlimited free movie choices....... We took off around 7:30 pm from Minneapolis, Minnesota and landed around 7:30 am  in......

AMSTERDAM!!!

Iamsterdam sign at Schipol Airport, and Anne Frank Statue near her house

    In Amsterdam we saw some phenomenal architecture, and museums.  We visited the Van Gogh museum which was a life goal for me.  We also went to the Anne Frank House which was so powerful and moving.  If you go to Amsterdam, no matter what the wait was, I recommend you wait out the line.  We toured Amsterdam for 2-3 days.  An awesome highlight was stumbling across an art market, where we purchase two pieces of art by local artists. 

Amsterdam Grand Centraal Station, and a side canal view from our evening Canal Cruise!

Next Stop: BRUSSELS

    Alright, well, we hit some minor bumps during our time in Brussels. First, the language barrier.  Teaching in a bi-lingual school I've always thought I understood how my students feel when they come in speaking no English(and I instruct in English).  In Brussels they speak primarily French and German, Paul and I were certainly at a disadvantage.   We made it through, but at times, it certainly posed a new challenge and I now have actually experienced that feeling, which students who enter my classroom feel.  

     I had no idea that the day we arrived to Brussels by train, was their National Liberation day!  This was great because there was a parade, and festival in the local park however, we found out that once you are in that festival and the parade starts, you're there for the entire 3.5 hour parade.  So we got trapped in the park, where we saw glimpses of the parade, local food, and celebrations. Of course... we had to have a Belgian waffle!

Waffle time, Liberation Day Festival, and Sculptural Detail of local Architecture

     After the experience of the parade, we ventured out for dinner, ended the evening, and made out plans to visit the city center the following day.  We ventured out to the city center and meandered around.  Brussels is a rather small town, so we weren't worried about getting lost! I really cant use words to describe how breathtaking the city center was.  To have a city, so old, which survived war, and have the buildings still in tact and original, is insane.  Around the USA I feel like we are quick to scrap the old, and bring in the new, but Brussels was a city which really froze their architectural style in time, and it stays the same today.

City Center Architecture Close-Up

City Center, Where we found some more original ART!

Next Stop: LONDON!

We arrived in wonderful London, England a city mid-evening, found dinner, and began our plan of attack to ensure in our 4 days there involved everything we wanted to do and see.  Let me tell you, it was A TON of stuff. 

  While traveling around London, we saw...... (here comes the list!)... Harrods, Buckingham Palace, The Tate Modern, Piccadilly Circus,  London Bridge, The Tower of London, Chelsea Football Club Stadium, The Lord Cricket Grounds, Wimbledon, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Parliament, A Marvel Movie Red Carpet Premier, The Globe Theater, St. Paul's Cathedral, and so much more!

Press Room, Chelsea Football Club Stadium

London Bridge, Paul and I with Big Ben in the Background

   While we were visiting the Tower of London, there were two cool moments!  One, was while we were awaiting the tour to begin, Paul kept staring a me leaning against a wall, then staring at the kids on one side of me, and then staring at the very tall man besides me on the other side.  I couldn't figure it out and finally, he sends me a message saying "I think that guy is Seal, the guy Heidi Klum was with.... and their kids..." So of course, I glance and realize it is! So that was just a fun little event!  Also during our visit to The Tower of London was the installation occurring of roughly 889,000 metal poppies in the moat and surrounding areas of the Tower.  This is a commemoration of all soldiers who fought in the war.  It was remarkable to see such a large scale installation happening all due to volunteers helping an artist create their vision.  Check out the images below of the progress so far! 

Tower of London, Poppy Installations

And now...... a quick connection in WALES, 

3 trains and a ferry to.... IRELAND.... 

1 last train to SLIGO!

   When I was a Junior in college I took the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Dublin, Ireland where I met Aine.  She was my Irish roommate while I studied abroad and meeting her and her family was so welcoming and helpful.  Aine was my home away from home, she was my friend, my sister, and my best friend while I was abroad.  That being said, Aine and her family live in Sligo, Ireland so when Paul and I decided we were going to end our trip in Ireland, going to Sligo was absolutely going to happen.  We got to Sligo and spent time with Aine's parents and her awesome sister Emer, and boyfriend.  They took us around to all the Sligo sights including Strandhill Beach a place I visited 5 years ago.  We went to the local Sligo soccer team match where they even gave us a shout-out for coming all the way from Washington DC!  It was an amazing time, in a place I called home.  

Our Irish Traffic Jam, and the four of us!

How can you not love Ireland?

    After a few days in Sligo, we ventured back to Dublin, which I know and remember so well.  I took Paul to my favorite spots, most specifically Bewley's Cafe on Grafton street.  We even got my favorite spot by the window which overlooks on the street performers.  We went to Jameson, Guinness, Trinity, Dublin Castle, Stephens Green, Kilmainham Gaol(jail),and much more.  It was incredible to be back in that space that I called home for 5-6 months while in college.  I was surprised at how quickly I picked up and remembered the local terms, streets, and ways to get around.  It was great to end in a city I knew so well, and I made sure to stock up on my favorite European candy and foods!  

Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, My Bewleys Spot View of Grafton Street

  So there it is, that's the most exciting part of my summer vacation I'd say.  Although it was only two weeks, it was certainly a non-stop, busy but amazing experience.  So parents, students, friends, and followers.... what did you do this summer vacation?!

Summer Artist Spotlight Opportunity!

Hey Parents! 
             I hope you're having a wonderful start to your summer vacation.  Whether you and your family are travelling, participating in summer school, camps, or just staying around to enjoy and explore DC, don't forget to encourage your kids to MAKE SOME ART!  

Over this summer, if you e-mail me an image of your child's art and a little written blurb, I'll be featuring students each week(assuming I receive entries).  This is a great opportunity to encourage and foster a love and appreciation for art outside of the classroom.  Consider visiting one of the many museums in our area, and use your trip as inspiration for creation!

Please send entries to: 

msfoysartroom@gmail.com with the subject line of "Summer Artist Spotlight".  

Be sure to include a small write up about what inspired the artist to create this piece and even include some direct quotes from the artist themselves!!  Let's see how many artists we can catch in action this summer from our school!! 

Vincent Van Gogh's Cat!

I purchased this book my first year of teaching, and stumbled across it again this year while searching for a different book.  It instantly sparked my interest and I thought, "how did I forget about this book?!".  The story Vincent Van Gogh's Cat is unique because it is written and illustrated by a class of second grade students in Indiana.  The pictures are colorful, creative, and bold which naturally draws students attention. It's also great because it incorporates some reproductions of other famous pieces of art.  We read the book as a class, travelling with Van Gogh's cat through fields of sunflowers(Van Gogh), through a friends pond of water lillies(Monet), we met three musicians(Picasso), and ended up in a starry night(Van Gogh).  At the end of the story, students were asked, "If you could take Vincent Van Gogh's cat somewhere, where would you take it?".  Below are just four of the awesome pieces made with water color crayons by Pre-K students.  Hopefully I will have more to post 

                                              from the Pre-School, Pre-K, adn Kindergarten students later on!  Enjoy!!

"I took Vincent Van Gogh's Cat to a forest, in a boat, on a ocean!" -Hailey

"I take him to the mountains, and I have flowers, and he's up there and you can see the sun, and I'm blue in the corner!"-Felicity

 

 

"This cat is up in the sky at the desert, you see my sand and cactus plant things?  They're sharp don't touch them!"-Lucas

"I took Van Gogh's cat to the desert but it's purples and reds because of the sun."-Anna

Hmmm.... what am I teaching Pre-School today?

    It's getting to be the end of the year and I've found myself sitting and thinking "what the heck can I do with my youngest students to have some fun and get messy?"  Well, I usually end up staring at my shelves, and neatly labeled supplies.  I just find I start throwing things on the table and letting the students have some creative exploration. 
   To the left, is an image of my completed example, and the variety of supplies provided for students.  You can see it's the primary colors of paint, in addition to black and white, some foam letters/numbers, stamps, paintbrushes, and yes, starbucks frappachino lids. 
   I went over how to use the various supplies with students to do a semi printmaking/free create project.  It was remarkable to listen to the students discover new ways of using all of these supplies which I hadn't even thought of myself!
    Take a look at some of these awesome students in action, and check out their artwork!

ARTventure DC: CLAIM YOUR SPOT NOW!

Interested in enrolling your child in a fun week with Ms.  Foy!?  E-mail NOW to reserve your spot!  Enrollment is now accepted from Bancroft families and other families within the District of Columbia!  

E-mail: msfoysartroom@gmail.com

***SESSION 3 IS NOW FULL***SESSION 3 IS NOW FULL***SESSION 3 IS NOW FULL***

Drawing on BLACK paper?

I've been trying to think of ways to push my student's out of their comfort zones.  Now I know, you might be wondering why push them out of their comfort zone, but really this assignment helped students turn their typical ways of thinking and creating around and expand their problem solving capabilities. So what did I choose as a challenge for students this week? 

First, students were given black construction paper instead of white to use as their background.  This really threw them off.  Second, I gave students chalk pastels to use.  Most students have never used these before, and they are certainly a material which you need to adjust to.  Chalk Pastel is dusty, messy, smear-able, and more challenging to control... 

Now....when you put these two challenges together, black paper and chalk pastel, you get AMAZING final products!

 

 Students quickly realized how the black paper really intensifies the colors of the chalk pastel.  Students also began to really use the skills taught on breaking things down into shapes, and then beginning to draw.  Students began to also, cope with "mess-ups" and "mistakes" through creative problem solving.  This was such a great one day, quick observational drawing project!