SchoolArts - May 2012

MANAGING THE ARTROOM
Strive for Artistry

Tricia Fuglestad

Nagging doesn’t motivate students to do great things; at least that is what I have found. They seem to have an amazing ability to not hear me when I start sentences with “Don’t forget to . . . ” So I began using the magic of computers to communicate my important (nag-like) messages in unexpected and engaging ways. At last, my students started to listen to my concerns. This changed their artwork, changed my frustration level, and, best of all, inspired students to take pride in their art.

trade quantity for quality. This isn’t
always an easy choice. It may require
altering expectations from students,
administrators, and parents about how
many pieces can be completed in one
school year. My goal is to have five
finished pieces of art for the year at
each grade level.
This approach also
requires training
students to think
of producing art in
thoughtful steps
over a span of
time.

Good artistry is an evolving notion in my artroom. When I look back at the artwork my students have made over the past dozen years or so, I see that what I thought was good has changed based on my knowledge of students’ abilities, my strategies for instruction, my time constraints, or, more commonly, the unforeseen issues that arise during art production. When I repeat an art project, I try to reflect on what went wrong or right, and what I can improve about my instruction, and the process.

I began using the magic of
computers to communicate
my important (nag-like)
messages in unexpected
and engaging ways.

have trouble getting them to focus on thoughtful art-making. So, to help prepare my young artists for artistry, I created these motivating videos:

•;Stay;Neat ( vimeo.com/7786031)

•;The;Listen;Plea (vimeo. com/6363696)

•;Blah;Blah;Oops (vimeo. com/6388953)

•;The;Art;Room;Anthem (vimeo. com/4845385)

Teaching Good Artistry

Some art experiences help students explore processes and techniques by allowing them to get messy, take chances, and fearlessly play. However, I’m not talking about those experiences when I refer to artistry. Instead, I teach artistry to my elementary students to help them build their skills and produce the best-finished products possible (as explained by Mr. Craftsman who keeps a tidy ship, vimeo. com/6389581).

Good artistry needs to start with a decision from the art teacher to

Avoiding Mistakes

To help students avoid common mistakes, I created the following videos:

•;Young;Sloppy;Brush (vimeo. com/6192408)

•;Complementary;in;Every;Way ( vimeo.com/2026501)

•;Interview;with;Mr.;Pencil ( vimeo.com/1826091)

•;White;Spot;Inspector ( vimeo.com/6389653).

•;Black;Marker (vimeo. com/6397263).

My aim is to create a culture of artistry in the artroom and make it a place where the expectation is for students to try their best and show pride in their work, whatever it takes.

Motivating Videos Managing students and supplies has everything to do with success in the artroom. If students come into the artroom as if it’s still recess, you’ll