Philosophy of Teaching
In the years I have been teaching I have
developed a methodology by which students attain and develop
a mastery of craftsmanship, an understanding of the language involved in the
discourse of art,
and a means by which to perceive of the role of art and the artist in our
complex world.
My teaching practice is based on freedom of expression and cooperative learning.
I view the learning process as both a holistic and a holographic experience.
Attaining and developing these three fundamental
capacities begins with observation. First we must see
the outer world, the physical world that surrounds us. Through observation of
objects,
their shape, color and orientation, their interaction with other objects, their
involvement
with other elements of the physical world such as light, through this looking,
the student
begins to notice the world of the physical as new and distinctly more vivid.
The relation to the outer world is then taken as a basis from which to undertake
observation
of the inner world. By conjoining these two the student is ready to approach the
concept of
culture, the intersection of the inner and the outer.
From the lessons of observation I develop
practical exercises are that acquaint the student with
the materials. As soon as some minimal mastery of the material is acquired, the
students
are given several options through which to develop their own expressive
language.
I require that students view the art works of
other artist. Slides, videos, prints, visits to galleries
and the web are used to nourish the fertile grounds of the student’s
imagination.
In order to develop the proper language and of art I encourage a dialogue about
the work
of others and about the student’s individual work
The public is the canvas in which art mirrors
itself. As a part of the learning process students are
lured into producing better works by developing novel venues to show their work.
My rich background and an ample world-view, allow me to convey to the
students
the multifaceted breath of experiences that entails the participation in today’s
artistic world.
I have always weaved teaching, art activism, and
creating into an integrated whole.
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