About
Juliana Thomas has experience teaching the visual arts to all ages. Private lessons, home school groups, portfolio building, AP Art Studio (2D, 3D and Drawing) and IB Art are all areas where Ms. Thomas can build your skills. Juliana Thomas can also facilitate your next art party for children and adults. (Adult parties are BYOB)
My teaching philosophy is quite simple. High expectations achieve high results. Process, not necessarily product, largely defines an artist. When students learn that the process of creating is what builds creativity, they learn to see and feel like artists. They learn to solve problems. They find their visual voice and reach into a part of themselves that connects them to all of humanity.
My classes are rigorous and challenge each student to solve visual problems that offer multiple solutions. Through constant communication with classroom teachers, I piggyback my lessons through a cross-curricular approach. I incorporate history, math, literacy, science and multiculturalism. By looking at visual problems through many lenses, Art becomes the perfect avenue to build the whole child. When a people, young and old, create art, not only are they learning to be artists, but they are learning to be world citizens.
Through art I can bring the world to you. You can learn about world culture, history and become sensitive to diverse cultures. Unlike some academics, where standards are memorized and regurgitated, art encourages critical thinking and problem solving with multiple solutions.
Art comes from a special place inside of all of us, the place where Spirit dwells. It is a place where we get in touch with our creativity. Not only do we create, but we become creators. This act connects us to our humanity. It makes us human.
To teach art is to teach a language without words, a language that we all speak. It is boundless. It connects us to our history. Art provides a way to speak when a child can’t find the words.
When a child creates it comes from a place inside that is personal. Not many things can build self-esteem more than creating and sharing ones creations.
The opportunity to be a part of opening a child’s mind to these gifts is why I chose teaching as my path.