William Adkins & Desiree Rios
I don’t usually show my work to my
students. I do, however, demonstrate
various processes in the classroom
which will produce a product like
this life-size ceramic bust of a student (right). The work I create in my
own studio is usually more conceptual, like the two pieces below, which
are part of my Dallas Morning News
series.
William Adkins, Teacher
I want my students to explore; take chances and treat
each creation as an opportunity to discover something
new. I try not to get in the way of that by doing a lot of
“teaching.” I encourage my students to find their own
voice. I simply present them with a concept or theme
and let them run with it. They
dictate both the content and
materials. I’m just one of many
resources they may reference.
William Adkins is an art teacher
at Molina High School in Dallas,
Texas.
I pursue more than the visual impact
of my work; I aim for the realm of
emotions. Embracing spontaneity,
I have little regard for tradition and
allow the process to lead me in new
directions. If a piece doesn’t intrigue
me, I have no interest in completing it.
I like the fluidity of the water in
my paint. It offers a reflection of the
Desiree Rios, Student
creativity flowing through my mind and I take advantage
of this in my work. I try not to force any feeling or facets
onto my art. A respect for my own vision and the abil-
ity to recognize the boundaries of my ability are things I
believe are crucial to the creative process. I don’t push for
perfection, but manipulate what I can do to create works
that speak for themselves. I don’t dwell on the talent I
don’t have, but ride the creative swell to an isle of cre-
ation that I, myself,
have built.
in Dallas, Texas.
Desiree Rios is a Senior
at Molina High School
Call for Entries: SchoolArts is recognizing the work of high-school students and teachers from around the country, and we
are looking for more art to be featured. Please send images of your work and the work of one of your students, along with
100-word artist’s statements, on a CD to Nancy Walkup, Editor, SchoolArts, 2223 Parkside Drive, Denton, TX 76201.
