The art of teaching

Kids and adults learn drawing, painting with various wet & dry media, sculpting, and collage making in the same classes and at the same time.

This year, 2010-2011, at Millbrook Elementary School in Evergreen District, City of San Jose, California, I have started a "Kids Do Art" program on Wednesdays from 2:20 to 3:30 pm @room # 22, where I set up a fun workshop after school, for learning the principles, history, techniques, and practice of visual arts. Despite the recent budget cuts on California public schools, I find art to hold too much importance to be ignored thus I encourage all kids, parents, teachers, principles, PTA, and caregivers to join me on this rewarding effort.

Art is the most practical tool for exploring inner abilities, enhancing hand-eye coordination, improving concentration, nurturing creativity, and improving human connections. These are amongst the most important skills that any human of any age can use to excel in academics and in life. Children benefit from art in many areas including reading, writing, math, and science; concentration, planning, patience, dexterity, and imagination are required skills in many academic fields. The therapeutic effects of fine arts are clinically proven to help individuals with terminal illness, depression, anxiety, and other physical or mental disorders.

Through this exciting program, we learn the simple techniques of drawing, design concepts, color wheel, hands-on painting with pastels, ink, acrylics, and water colors, sculpting with clay, and collage making by using nature objects, paper cut outs, and magazine scraps. The tuition covers the cost of supplies and all artworks by children will be returned to them in a portfolio at the end of each 12-session period.

I encourage students to take their artistic activities seriously and to spend a good amount of time, studying the works of masters, visiting museums and local galleries, set up studio space at home where they can do art occasionally, and to consider a career in arts and design for their future.

At the end of the school year, on our last session, we host a beautiful exhibit to showcase the children's artworks and all parents and caregivers are welcome to join us. Flowers, snacks, and drinks are welcome. During the show, we ask all attendees to sign names or finger paint on our large mural sized memory poster which will be hung in Millbrook Cafeteria during the last weeks of school.

Finally, I would like to expand this program to other school campuses within our San Jose districts and other cities in the South Bay area. For inquiries, questions, and to sign up, contact Raha Lane at rahalanefineart@yahoo.com, sign up sheets will be emailed or mailed upon request.

Artful thanks to all the marvelous kids, teachers, the principle, and PTA at Millbrook Elementary School who have encouraged me with their support and inspired my work with their insightful suggestions. Artistic creativity and knowledge go hand in hand to build a bright and beautiful future!

Raha Lane Gallery