The following article is part of the Art Forward series from the Rahr-West Art Museum.
The Rahr-West Art Museum is excited to host the Manitowoc Public School District’s Youth Art Month Exhibit once again after a truncated exhibit in 2020 and a break in 2021 due to the pandemic. It’s great to be back and sharing art together with our community. We checked in with one of this year’s exhibit coordinators, art teacher Cassie LaPean of Monroe Elementary to learn more about her, her students, and why art is important to them.
How long have you been teaching art?
This is my fifth-year teaching K-5 visual arts at Monroe Elementary. My perspective on art is in constant flux. I am influenced by a number of external factors, especially over the last two years. I try to remain open-minded, relevant to the modern art world, and always put the needs of my students first.
My teaching style has evolved over the last 5 years as I constantly reflect on good teaching practices and what makes students successful in the art room. With our new state standards, I have also found that my passion for teaching art history, methods and processes, and art appreciation is becoming forefront in my classroom.
How has art helped your students or yourself in the transition back to in-person classes?
During the uncertainties of the last two years, I have seen an increase in students who need an outlet to express their inner thoughts and feelings. I feel that now, more than ever, students need a form of expression that captures feelings in a nonverbal way which is universally understood.
Did teaching online affect how you teach in person?
Virtual instruction definitely played a role in my delivery and instruction as we returned to in–person teaching. While I always integrated technology at a high level, my teaching practices were reconsidered as I found a documentation camera could easily reach the entire class versus having all students swarmed around a demonstration table. The ability to teach to specific needs this way, while also giving other students the time to work independently, has positively increased the art production in my classroom.
Did you notice any differences in your teaching or in the students?
Absolutely– yes. I learned to never take our personal instruction for granted–during virtual teaching I realized how much I needed to see my students, their faces, and their artwork to truly connect with each other.
How do you feel about the role of art in healing the community during times of trauma?
Historically, I feel the visual arts increases its popularity during challenging times. We are living in unprecedented times which ironically plants the seed for the perfect birthplace of a new art revolution. Art is the one universal tool that unites all cultures and regions and I am excitedly awaiting how this next generation will influence the art world.
How is your own personal work different?
My own artwork has fallen into this same pattern–as I find myself enjoying the distraction and enjoy art-making no matter the media. I love to live in the “moment.” I have found that I respond to challenges and hardships in my art by creating on emotional whims. However, In the classroom, I catch myself entranced by our process. Along with my students, as everyone works, we are diligently focused on the same “cohesive” artwork that will ultimately be rich in freedom of individual expression.
Cassie asked some of her exceptional art students why they liked participating in art class and what their favorite things to make are. Here are their responses with some of their work in this year’s exhibit:
For Cassie’s student Mia, art is an important way to express her feelings. She loves action painting and pop art.
Hayleigh thinks that it’s important to learn about color and design because you might need it for your career. She finds clay to be fun and complex.
Brielle likes to participate in art class because, as she put it, “If you want to become an artist you need to know the basics. I like photography and illustration because I like Disney and cartoons.”
Charlotte enjoys sewing and crocheting because “you can feel the art you are making as you work.”
Siri uses art class as a way to show what they are feeling. “I like digital animation because I like to experiment with the programs and see comic books moving.”
Siri uses art class as a way to show what they are feeling. “I like digital animation because I like to experiment with the programs and see comic books moving.”
Grace likes the expressive nature of pop art.
The Manitowoc Public School District Youth Art Month Exhibit at the Rahr-West Art Museum is open through Sunday, April 3, 2022. The Museum is open with free admission, Tuesday-Friday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and weekends from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Find more information at rahrwestartmuseum.org
