The Bees Knees Cousin
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    • About theBeesKneesCousin
  • SHOP
The Bees Knees Cousin

   a    private   quaker  school   on    long   Island

10/9/2013

 
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This is why I blog.  Mary Jo sent me her photos and description of her art space this morning and I was immediately drawn to the sense of calm,  creative spirit that seems to fill her art space.  I've just spent the last 2 HOURS being incredibly motivated and inspired be the blog that she pens, SunPorch Studio.  Take a look at her art space below and then head over to her blog to continue to be inspired.
 
Mary Jo Allegra received a BFA in Art Education with a minor in Painting from Pratt Institute and an MA in Arts and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and holds a NY State certification in K-12 Visual Arts. She has studied at the world-renowned preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and experienced first-hand how language, environment and access to tools can empower children to become life-long learners. Mary Jo has taught Visual Art at Friends Academy, Ross School and The School at Columbia University where she developed an integrated curriculum and mentored teachers to be effective educators in an interdisciplinary classroom setting. She is the creator of SunPorchStudio, an online blog that is home to creative art making tutorials and articles about successful ways to nurture creativity in the classroom and at home. 

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Mary Jo says: 
Upon entering the creative spaces that I have cared for throughout my teaching career, you are greeted by a sign that states “Welcome to the art studio; where EVERYONE is an artist”. The art studio is a welcoming, safe and inspiring work environment where students are encouraged to take risks and develop an aesthetic awareness. Personal views are respected, differences are celebrated and all students are considered working artists. It is a place where students hear “practice makes better” and come to understand that perfection is an illusion. A dozen times a day I share with my children, “there is no such thing as a mistake, just marks we wish to change” because I truly believe in the power of mindful language and that a positive tone will help center students of every age. 
Essentially, the learning that takes place in the art studio happens through hands-on kinesthetic experiences. Materials are the best teacher. The art making process allows children to explore, analyze, make connections and develop a rapport with tools that will someday help them to express an idea they may not have words for. It is this unique kinesthetic experience that allows new knowledge to be born and also employed. 
I believe the teacher to be a performer. By strategically choosing materials, setting their placement and planning the process in which they will be utilized, I am able to create space in which my students will discover their creative potential. My goal is to support children in becoming successful at working on their own. I want them to know what it feels like to be empowered and sincerely believe that they are all artists.
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Read Mary Jo's blog post at SunPorchStudio about organizing with color.  An idea I will be repeating in my own art space!
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The Bees Knees Cousin

8/15/2013

2 Comments

 
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Heather Klausa from thebeeskneescousin.com
K-5th grade Art Room in the Chicago Suburbs, US
  • This space, because of its size and built-ins really allows me to be organized, which makes everyone happier.  I even have a bonus room that provides a space for my desk, paper cutter, and supplies that I don't want students to have direct access to.  The bonus room also is roomy enough to store all my drying racks, sink, and even 4 desktop computers.  It's a great space, and the students and I are fortunate to have it.
  • I love that I have a kiln - students really get excited about clay
  • I have worked really hard to provide spaces that spark creativity.  Artwork, items from my travels, terrariums, and books are set up in vignettes to grab kids attention and inspire. 

The room needed some updating when I inherited it.  It took some paint and weekends to bring back some of its charm. I ended up painting the supply tables with chalkboard paint, which turned out great.  It's fun to write out directions, label supplies, and just draw on them.  

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2 Comments

Biggest   Art   Room   Ever

8/1/2013

1 Comment

 
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Expansive Space for the Arts
1-5th grade Art Room in the western burbs of Chicago
  • I was SUPER lucky to inherit this room, it is gigantic.  The pictures don't even do it justice.
  • Three sinks are a dream
  • I love my bulletin boards.  I worked really hard this year to make interesting, informative bulletin boards.

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1 Comment

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