ABOVE: Photo of a pet portrait by Nathan Loda
Our fall session of visual art programs begins tomorrow, Saturday September 24th. Enjoy a few insights into the classes and instructors, and grab one of the remaining spots if you’re interested!
Our Saturday Visual Art classes take place in the Art & Design Building on the Mason Fairfax Campus and offer students ages 4 to adult the opportunity to express themselves through drawing, painting, and many other art mediums. Our Fall 2016 instructors, Rachel Wiseman, Nathan Loda, and Arthur Reinaltt – all Mason School of Art Master’s students and alum – create unique and engaging curriculum to inspire their students. The session ends with a fun “Art Showcase” where students can display and discuss their works for family and friends.
Rachel Wiseman
Nathan Loda
Arthur Reinaltt
Potomac Arts Academy Faculty Coordinator (and blogger) Claire Allen recently sat down with Rachel Wiseman (Art Foundations class for ages 8-11) and Nathan Loda (Oil Painting class for adults) to talk about their experiences both as artists and teachers:
CAllen: What is your favorite thing about teaching art?
NLoda: I love showing people how to make a painting or drawing because it is rewarding to see how amazed and accomplished they feel after completing their art work.
RWiseman: I love working with children and seeing their faces light up in that moment when they understand the value of a new experience, taking in the deeper lessons that art can convey, and allowing themselves to explore a personal connection with an idea or material that they find to be personally enriching. I value the depth at which students can grow into themselves, both reflectively and expressively, and how this growth impacts their future lives.
CAllen: What are your favorite memories from previous art classes?
RWiseman: A few years back, I was teaching painting courses, and in one of my classes, I had a young boy who was being teased because his art wasn’t as developed as his classmates. Naturally, this was upsetting, and as a resolution, I altered my curriculum and came up with an entire lesson on the value of abstract painting. The student excelled, his classmates all gathered around to praise his efforts, asking him about his unique techniques, and by the end of the session, his confidence was skyrocketing and he had announced to me that he was determined to become “the next Jackson Pollock!” From that point on, the class ceased to tease him and my students expressed an appreciation for independent innovative thinking. This is my favorite memory because not only did it improve the experiences of my immediate students, but it also challenged me to become a better teacher, assessing how to use art as a tool for providing deeper lessons and meaningful life experiences for my students.
Photo of Mouthless painting by Rachel Wiseman
CAllen: What are your hopes for your art classes in the coming year?
NLoda: To continue to show how it is possible for everyone to enjoy and improve in their creative art abilities.
CAllen: What do you most want your students to learn from you in class?
RWiseman: I want my students to attain important life skills through their artistic endeavors, such as having an appreciation for learning with an open mind, which includes tolerating differences and being able to look at the world with an observational eye rather than making assumptions to satisfy pre-existing schemas.
To learn more about these Teaching Artists, visit their websites!
Nathan Loda: http://nathanloda.com/
Rachel Wiseman: https://rachelwisemanart.files.wordpress.com
Arthur Reinaltt (Art Adventures class for ages 4-7, Art Explorations class for ages 12-18) has taught for Potomac Arts Academy for several years, starting out as a Teaching Assistant, then moving in to an Instructor role, and now also helps with our burgeoning Summer Art Camps. A particular area of interest for him is helping teenage students build effective personal portfolios to use in college admission interviews if they decide to pursue a career in art.
SEE VISUAL ART CLASSES – SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE*
*Please note, if you register late you may not receive the Welcome Letter. Please be sure to go to the Mason campus in Fairfax – NOT the Potomac Arts Academy Building on Chain Bridge Road – and park in Lot A near the Art & Design Building. Once you get to the building, Potomac staff can assist you to the classroom.