I teach medieval history and American history at Bayside Academy located in San Mateo. I have held an art club every Wednesday during lunch for the past few years; the club’s name is Dragons, Anime and Manga Art Club. Early in my teaching career, I found that many students desire the need to create art, I have witnessed art helping students with their social, emotional and academic development. My call to action is simple, but profound: Teachers — start an art club and allow students to create art pieces that they desire, without any boundaries or restrictions.
By hosting an art club that allows for free expression from students they can feel open to experimenting and creating from their imaginations. Students have unique ideas and powerful imaginations and need the space to work through their artistic expression on their own terms, without any objectives and boundaries. I have found that by allowing students to create openly, they produce pieces that are unique to their individual desires. For example, a student a few weeks back has been experimenting with water coloring, and then he had the interesting and striking idea to place clear tape over the water coloring giving the pieces a vivid and profound effect. I expressed to the student I was amazed by his creativity and his openness to take such an artistic risk in the moment. Additionally, students are free to make mistakes, which result in the students making discoveries because mistakes do make the brain develop and grow.
Interestingly, the club is a refuge that draws interesting and unique artists. Some students who are not artists do wander in to the club but since they are allowed to create freely they quickly discover that they too are an artist — naturally. Some students will simply sit, eat their lunch and listen to music — and they may not even produce a piece, but the key factor is that they are allowed to find their level, daydream and make their art when they wish. Above all else, the students are highly social and as they sit, create, eat, chat and listen to music; they learn that they are in control of their artistic destiny in the moment. When I began the club, I was under the impression I had to run art tutorials, directly teach weekly club lessons and head art projects. As I noticed that students open up their individual artistic expression when left on their own, I decided to let the club members create pieces on their own terms.
The club receives art supplies donated from community members. For example, a teacher on the Peninsula named Pam has been a silent benefactor for the club since the beginning. Through her support, the club has been able to hold art raffles, use great art materials and enjoy art books. I have also reached out to the San Mateo Lion’s Club and they have generously donated funds to the club. These actions demonstrate that community members play an important role in student’s artistic development as well. I am truly thankful for the support from community members, such as Pam and San Mateo Lions members who have offered their assistance. We stand on the shoulders of giants.
Teachers! Start an art club, make a difference and the rewards will present themselves.
Joe Spina is a teacher of medieval and early modern times and U.S. history at Bayside Academy in San Mateo.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.