About
Children ages 5-12 learn the fundamentals of visual art in a calm, engaging online environment. The sacred SKETCH master, armed with a background in museums and anthropology, may incorporate a history or language anecdote in her art sessions. The media used are watercolors, acrylic, and pen/pencil drawing.
Art is a conduit into communicating with the world around us. I love translating this discipline into a useful part of my young students' lives and watching how they use art to better theirs and others experiences.
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Erica
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
1st - Determine lesson objectives and time needs with family
2nd - Small survey to get acquainted with the new student's personality, interests, and level of visual arts proficiency
3rd - Create a customized course and lessons that last 45 minute per session
4th - Provide printable takeaways after each topic covered that empowers and equips the student to further explore the new techniques learned
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Art
Binghamton University BA in Cultural Anthropology
Museum education coordinator for the Brooklyn Children's Museum and the 9/11 Tribute Museum
How did you get started teaching?
With the drastic turn our education system has taken since the global pandemic, it was clear that the arts would take a back seat to the scramble for maintaining high learning standards in traditional schools. I saw where my skills and services could fill in the arts education gap in an unconventional way and I jumped in.
I began with an advisory board of parent friends who had different educational designs for their children (private school, public school, and homeschool) and took many notes on what worked for an online course. I also gleaned from my 13 year old daughter, getting a student perspective about executing online arts.
The result is a thoughtful interdisciplinary art curriculum that approaches the student holistically - taping into the intellectual, emotional, and social parts of their development. At a time of social distancing, I see that it is crucial for students to have at least one sure calming online experience through my art sessions.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with siblings, only children, from urban and suburban backgrounds.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
During one of my last art sessions, I introduced the French word for "strawberry" to the students. When I asked if anyone knew what the word meant, after a minute of the group thinking hard to figure out the meaning, a deep voice from off screen in one student's home said, "FRAISE!" It was a pleasant surprise to hear a father share the answer. I didn't realize the dad was quietly listening to the lesson in the background. There are great family moments like these that I like to foster in my lessons.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be yourself and never reach for more than you can handle. Art is a language that transcends dialects or academic aptitude. Learning is a journey that you as the student and me as the teacher are on together.