June 2020 - Arts Leader Spotlight
Announcing June’s Arts Leader Spotlight…
In honor of Governor Hogan’s “Year of the Woman”, MSDE Fine Arts will celebrate the work of the women arts education leaders in 2020.
Earlier this year over 28,000 votes from across Maryland, selected three winning student designs for the “I Voted” sticker competition. Beginning with the 2020 primary elections, the winning designs will be distributed across all Maryland polling locations. This month we highlight the three visual art educators that supported the student winners. They also won a cash grant for their school’s art program and a feature here in our June 2020 Arts Leader Spotlight.
Jill Henderson
Visual Art Educator in Montgomery County Public Schools and teacher to Amelia, the elementary school winner in the 2019 “I Voted Sticker Competition.”
When did you realize you were an artist?
I was inspired as a young girl by my mom who sewed most of the clothes for me and my siblings. I loved looking at all the colors, patterns, and textures of the different fabrics when we went to the fabric store as she carefully selected materials, buttons, notions, and trims. Learning to sew developed my fine motor skills, craftsmanship, and an eye for design and details. I recognized my gift of creating with my hands and went on to enjoy learning about other art mediums and techniques.
Why does arts education matter to you?
I have taught art at all grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school). This broad range has let me see the innocence of a young child’s uninhibited art, as well as the sophistication and involved work of a young adult. Most important, I’ve seen not only artistic talent and skills develop in the classroom over a student’s K-12 years, but also the growth of the whole child, including their confidence, creativity, and thought process.
Since I was inspired to create art at a young age, I think it is important for my students to have abundant inspiration. I strive to provide a nurturing classroom environment where students can have some peaceful moments during their day to be inspired by color and beauty and create a piece of art using their eyes, hands, thoughts, heart, and soul.
Art Education gives the student an opportunity to use their imaginations and realize there are many ways to express themselves and make their art personal. The student has opportunities to make revisions and improvements to their artwork to make it the best it can be. The art classroom also allows a student to be inspired by their peer’s work as well as be a part of class discussions and critiques.
As a leader in the Arts, what are your priorities for the coming year?
In the coming year, I will continue to provide a supportive in the classroom, where a child feels safe, respected, and loved so they have the freedom to create. My priority will be to make my students feel safe and secure with the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 virus, whether in a distant-learning environment or a modified-classroom setting.
How does creativity show up in your day?
I have an opportunity to see creativity every school day through my students work as they complete their art assignments – each in their own unique way.
My own creativity shows up in my daily life at home. Gardening is one of my hobbies, and it involves selecting plants of different sizes, colors, and deciding where to place them in our yard. I frequently call upon my background in landscape architecture while locating trees, plants, pathways, pots, birdhouses, and seasonal flags.
Can you tell us a little about Amelia and her ‘I Voted’ sticker design?
Amelia’s winning sticker design for the Elementary School level.
Amelia is a kind, considerate, and talented young artist. In the art classroom, she is always engaged. Amelia is thoughtful about each step of the art-making process, and she demonstrates a keen attention to detail along with fine craftsmanship while creating her art.
Amelia was inspired by symbols of Maryland for her ‘I Voted’ sticker design. She drew a Baltimore Oriole and the Maryland Blue Crab as part of her circular design and included a Black-eyed Susan in the center with the Maryland flag in the background. She also added a personal touch to her work, by drawing ‘Cigar’, a famous racehorse born in Maryland, since she has been to many horse races with her grandparents and family.
Share a recommendation of a book, artist, event, or piece of work that inspires you!
I am continually inspired by photography. Having taught high school photography with darkroom film-processing to using digital photography and photo software, I’ve enjoyed seeing the progression of photography and learning new techniques. Although the technology has changed, the artistic side of creating a composition remains unchanged.
I seek photographic inspiration from nature as well as ordinary objects and scenes. Additionally, I’ve always been inspired by the patience of famous photographer, Ansel Adams. Adams immersed himself in nature to patiently wait for the proper lighting to capture his compelling black and white landscape images.
Lauren Flanagan
Visual Art Educator in Montgomery County Public Schools and teacher to Anna, the middle school winner in the 2019 “I Voted Sticker Competition.”
When did you realize you were an artist?
I first learned I was an artist in early grade school. My art teacher had recognized my talent. The teacher then told my mother that I should enroll in studio classes outside of school. My mom made it happen and I attended studio classes at Staubb Art Studio in Catonsville Maryland.
Why does arts education matter to you?
I believe that art makes the brain smarter! Art teaches you a great deal: it can help you make connections, teaches you to visually problem solve, it teaches you self-discipline, reasoning and imagination. The list of benefits from art is too great to fit into one question!
As a leader in the Arts, what are your priorities for the coming year?
The upcoming year holds a great deal of uncertainty due to our current health situation. However the curriculum is going to be introduced, my goal is to make sure that all students have a chance to create. Reviewing all of the different materials students can find at home and in nature is an excellent way for everyone to be able to create art. Art is a therapy, every student deserves access.
Each year I wish to teach students all of the benefits of art and appreciation of the arts. I will continue to have them strive for excellence and expose them to Maryland’s Art Competitions. When my middle school students submit and are awarded in these competitions they are building a strong resume for high school. I am very lucky to be a part of the Timberwolf family at Tilden Middle School. My principal, Irina LaGrange is a proud supporter of the arts.
How does creativity show up in your day?
Currently, creative inspiration for me comes from the hikes and trails I do with my husband and child in Montgomery County parks. My daughter and I will gather rocks. We take the rocks home and wash them in the sink. After washing, we paint the rocks. We have been delivering them to neighbors’ garden beds!
When inspiration strikes me I have to run to my little studio room in our home (essentially it’s just a desk!) and get it down on paper or canvas. I graduated from college with a dual major in art education and painting and drawing. I am happiest when I am expressing myself through painting.
Can you tell us about Anna and her ‘I Voted’ sticker design?
Anna’s winning sticker design for the Middle School level.
Anna is a well rounded student and extremely talented artist. I remember telling my classes about the “I Voted” sticker competition. The information was also shared through my google classrooms. Anna immediately told me that she wanted to submit work. Anna would work on her design and come to my room, independently during lunch (when she could have been with her friends) and talk through the process and ask for advice. Finally, Anna reviewed her finished work with me and I walked her through the submission process. Anna is a kind and humble person. I am so very happy that her work was selected!
Share a recommendation of a book, artist, event, or piece of work that inspires you!
These days I am mostly reading children’s books with my daughter! I would suggest "I am Human” by Susan Verde, a book of empathy and how to make good decisions. This book was a gift from my sister. Amy Sherald is a must see artist. She is famous for her portrait of Michelle Obama but I find the body of her work to be incredible. She is from my hometown of Baltimore and I follow her and her work on Instagram. One of my favorite pieces is titled Saint Woman. All of her portraits are remarkable and transcendent.
Stephanie Zeiler
Visual Art Educator in Queen Anne’s County Public Schools and teacher to Cara, the high school winner in the 2019 “I Voted Sticker Competition.”
When did you realize you were an artist?
I realized early on I had an artist’s soul. I was always drawing things. I would copy cartoon characters and read “How to Draw…..” books as far back as I can remember. Through elementary school creative play was a daily thing. Whether I was wearing the cape my mom made me trying to save the world with my brother and friends, pretending we were on a secret mission using the discontinued pilot gear and gadgets my dad brought home or building forts in the woods, it was an integral part of who I was and how I navigated the world.
Why does arts education matter to you?
The arts are not just a way to communicate with yourself and the world but a vehicle and a gift we have been given to help us navigate our journey in this world. The art room was always a safe place growing up and art was something that provided comfort to me during my rather difficult middle school and early high school years. As an arts educator I try to provide my students with an environment where they feel safe, accepted, and can show who they are in their work. I am acutely aware that for some students, the only reason they show up to school is for my art class. Art gives voice to those who feel invisible, a place to be authentic for those who feel out of place and misunderstood, and provides a different, more holistic way of learning for those who struggle with more traditional modes. You can’t help but develop a deeper understanding of yourself and others when you engage in authentic arts experiences.
As a leader in the Arts, what are your priorities for the coming year?
Mindfulness is definitely a priority for me this year. I am really mindful of my interactions with people but I want to find ways to incorporate that into my artmaking and my teaching. I want to be able to pass this onto my students because it is something that will stay with them throughout life. Last year we were challenged by our new supervisor Michael Bell to recreate our Visual Arts Curriculum. We created something new and innovative which provides students with more authentic experiences and student choice. We spent this year navigating what we created, finding successes and of course discovering the things that seemed much better in concept than actuality. We will be revising our work and I hope to find ways to embed mindfulness into the units.
How does creativity show up in your day?
Creativity has been such an integral part of my life, even when I wasn’t cognizant of it. In the last year I have been collecting materials in my everyday travels that I want to use to create art. I have done this off and on over the years but I have really focused on it as I have been trying to heal from a series of foot surgeries that left me more broken than fixed. It has been quite a journey but it helped me see materials with a new perspective. I think creating with these found objects and materials will help me heal emotionally and spiritually. I also always look for opportunities to use creativity to better the lives of others. It is my way of paying my gift forward, a characteristic I try to instill in my students through community arts projects.
Can you tell us about Cara and her ‘I Voted’ sticker design?
Cara’s winning sticker design for the High School level.
Cara is primarily a 3D Sculptor and did not take any 2D classes while in high school. She’s been our NAHS President the last two years and was integral in helping us establish our chapter last year. She won the first ever Scholastic Art Silver Key Award for our school last year and she had a sculpture selected for exhibition in the NAHS Student Exhibit this year. Even though she fancies herself a sculptor she also draws a lot and has some amazing work in her visual journals. When I introduced the contest to the students I talked about what an amazing opportunity this was to have their art mass produced and distributed throughout Maryland. Cara went to work. She primarily wanted to show how we vote in Maryland directly impacts what happens in Washington. She chose the iconic Bay Bridge to show the connection between the Western and Eastern Shores and added a Blue Heron to show her belief in wildlife preservation. One of the most amazing things happened during the design voting process. It brought the community together. I shared her design on a community page on FB. Hundreds of people posted positive comments and cast their vote. Cara was interviewed by a local television station and the local Board of Elections blasted the information out on multiple occasions. When her design won, a community member stopped me and said she couldn’t wait to vote to get a sticker. In a world that can be so divided this brought us together. A true testament to the power of the arts.
Share a recommendation of a book, artist, event, or piece of work that inspires you!
While it isn’t a book, keeping in line with trying to cultivate my mindfulness, I have been participating in a 21 Day Meditation Challenge. It is one of the best decisions I have made in months. I have a hard time quieting my mind and heart, as I believe a lot of empathetic artists and people experience. I’m halfway through and have made great progress. If you have been thinking about taking up meditation, now is the time. Remember, as you are learning the process, it is a process, so be kind to yourself.