It's that time of year again! The time that every art teacher dreads and loves!
ART SHOW
I would like to start by saying, if you're not doing an art show, DO NOT FEEL GUILTY. I did not start the art show at my schools until my second year. My first year teaching, I thought my head would explode if I tried to add one more thing to my to-do list. So make sure you have the time (and the sanity) to handle the extra work that comes along with hosting an art show at your school.
That being said, if you have the time to put one together, I would highly recommend it. The chance to see your students' faces when they get to show off their hard work is so rewarding.
First, I want you to picture the stereotypical "elementary art show" in your head. I'm sure you see rows of beautifully crafted paintings, matching clay pots all lined up on a table, and countless other uniform projects that show just how creative the art teacher was with their curriculum. This is the picture that forms in my head because this is what I grew up with! All of our artwork matched and, I have to admit, it looked beautiful!
This is NOT what you are going to get with a choice-based art show. Nothing will match, everything will be mixed together in a modge podge of colors, mediums and sizes and it will all come together to greet your families with an EXPLOSION of creativity.
It took a lot of time for me to get over the fact that my art show was not going to be beautiful and uniform. BUT OH MY GOODNESS, THEY LOVE IT! The kids just adore hunting for the artwork and showing it off to their friends/family once they find it. And it is so much fun seeing them ooh and ahh at all of the amazing pieces of artwork from the rest of the school.
I have even heard many phrases like "oooh I want to make something like that!" or "wow, I want to try that!". What an AWESOME opportunity for them to be inspired by the peers.
As I approach the BIG DAY, I will walk through the ins and outs of hosting a choice-based art show at your school. Stay-tuned for tips, tricks, and mishaps that will hopefully help you to throw the perfect family art night for your students!
