Art Teachers Playing Around...

About a month ago, three art teachers packed up a Subaru and headed to 

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for the annual Art Education Conference.

And it was fabulous.  

We talked, just about everything on the ride down, and sang to our hearts out, on the way home but before that we were leaders.  We held workshops and presentations.  We shared our accomplishments, techniques, lessons, ideas, email addresses and we felt a community start to grow.

It was invigorating discussing art education trends, theories, philosophies...

It was fabulous.

But on the first hot day of the season and as the trees were in full bloom, 
the most fabulous time was when we paused.

I sat with one of the most energetic, driven and passionate art teachers (yes, you Jil) and sat....

I sat

and enjoyed a cup of coffee, outside, in the sunlight.

We took off our shoes, and it felt good.  We took a walk and just talked about...well...everything.
As we walked through the campus we came across an amazing sculpture, constructed out of big bold colorful Lego blocks, titled:
The Importance of Play
















  
  

This sculpture steered our conversation towards our own art-making and the issue of "playing around".

As art teachers, we thought, "how often do we gather to just make art?" 
Not for samples in our classrooms, not to engage in a discussion about practice, not to collect our professional development credits....
but to just make art.
...to just be in a space with individuals who inspire creativity, think big and laugh a lot.



Not very often.  In fact prior to this conference I held a workshop for art teachers at my school, in which I had planned the activities as to show that this is a 'valid professional development experience' (said in a very serious voice).
Yet, I threw my plan out the window because I realized we (the collective participants) didn't need another lesson at 5 o'clock on a Thursday evening.  They needed to pause, to have a slice of pizza and to play.


It felt really good.



















 So, take 20 minutes to play:
doodle
paint
draw
color
sculpt

Anywhere and everywhere.

I did and I ended up like this:

...and made something like this...

xoxo, Smock you.

A great day at the IAEA Conference....

I always look forward to the fall because conferences begin and inspiration takes hold.  This weekend, I attended, as a presenter and an attendee, the annual Illinois Art Education conference, and it was a great.

And here is why:

1.  Intellectual conversation. Don't get me wrong, being an elementary art teacher conversation is not lacking, neither is the intellectual part.  Oddly enough, first graders can make you really reflect with their casual observations, making your head dizzy at times.  Nevertheless, sitting and chatting with an art Ed professor about the doctoral program from Northern Illinois University also has its benefits.   

2. We may see each other infrequently but the bonds created with other art teachers throughout the past five years have evolved to be strong, supportive and, incredibly fun.  

3.  Either being in the audience or presenting to a full house, I learn so much!  There are some great ideas out there and art teachers are going above and beyond the call of duty to share and connect with their art education community.  Awesome.

4.  The air seems cleaner more crisp after an invigorating, inspirational and motivating shot in the arm.  I love what I do.

It doesn't hurt much.

In the photo, I am with my friend, colleague and amazing art teacher Jeanette Thompson.  We received a couple of grants.  

Be an inspiration, stay committed, and ignite your passions.

SMocKyou.