<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1XZ2Ol_0w9I9KNR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1XZ2Ol_0w9I9KNR00" width="900" height="686" ><figcaption>Shown is a compilation of art on display at North Webster Elementary School. Each section of the photo shows the work of a different grade level, and art teacher Kim Gause’s bulletin boards explain what students are learning and how it aligns with a different anchor standard.</figcaption></figure>At top left: Henri Matisse-inspired goldfish still life. Top right: complementary color pop art dogs. Bottom left: perspective aquariums. Bottom right: Zentangle sculpture. Image provided.and DeeAnna MuraskiGuest ColumnistsWARSAW — Last week we broached the subject of art education for our current Art on the Road series. We can easily assume that art has always been part of the educational curriculum; however, we found that was not true — at least in the public-school setting. Thankfully, we have progressed since 1821, when the first art classes were taught to children in the upper echelons of society.We will peer into the classrooms of our current students and their teachers to find out what they are doing, what is inspiring them and how we see that playing out in the world around us.Our first classroom visit is in the Wawasee Community School district’s North Webster Elementary School.Art, physical education and music are called “specials” classes. These teachers have all grades from kindergarten through fifth that they teach every day. Our teachers need to be extremely adaptable, energized and exceptional communicators to fluctuate so vastly between age abilities. The art teacher at North Webster Elementary School is Mrs. Kim Gause.Gause graduated from Grace College with a degree in illustration and graphic design. After graduation, she did freelance work and then successfully pursued her master’s degree in art education. This is her ninth year teaching art in the public school system. Fun fact: her husband is also a teacher of fifth grade at the North Webster Elementary School. Her artwork became an outlet where she could visually express her inner thoughts. This has encouraged Gause to provide the same type of outlet to inspire her students.Gause enjoys giving her students the chance to explore different genres and techniques. Examples of genres or movements would be: abstract expressionism, contemporary art, cubism, pop art and Renaissance. The students inspire Gause in how they think critically and problem-solve. She likes to stretch their minds by providing projects and activities that continue to foster this mental environment. She creates her projects based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Fine Arts and specifically Visual Arts from the Indiana Department of Education, which standards align with the National Coalition for Arts Standards. These standards for K-fifth grade consist of four anchor themes of: creating, presenting, responding and connecting. Then within each of these themes are 11 additional anchor standards for each grade. Gause works with the idea that shapes, lines and color are fundamental, and kindergarten students practice those concepts, which she builds/scaffolds upon each year until all seven critical elements of art are taught. These seven elements are: line, value, color, space, shape, form and texture.During the summer break is when Gause can hone her skills by freelancing for companies, publications and personal projects. She obtains most of her work through word of mouth and individuals seeing her past work — specifically her beautiful name boards, which incorporate graphics of items the named individual likes with their name. Because she has a full teaching schedule and is dedicated to her work, she does these commissioned jobs during the summer. She can be reached at [email protected] for samples and to get on her summer schedule.To GoNorth Webster Elementary School. During the school day, elementary schools are closed to the general public for the safety of our children. However, if you attend evening basketball games, etc., at the school, take a minute to view the beautiful bulletin boards around the school showcasing the student art. They are beautiful.Warsaw City Hall. Current artist Elizabeth Wamsley’s beautiful pottery is coupled with a metal works display — a great interplay on the textures. Location: 102 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. All on the first floor and handicapped-accessible.Darla McCammon is an artist, columnist and author. DeeAnna Muraski is executive director of Operation Read USA Inc. Send an email to the mother/daughter team at [email protected].</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Art In Action: Art On The Road — Inspiring Our Youth

At top left: Henri Matisse-inspired goldfish still life. Top right: complementary color pop art dogs. Bottom left: perspective aquariums. Bottom right: Zentangle sculpture. Image provided. and DeeAnna Muraski. Guest Columnists. WARSAW — Last week we broached the subject of art education for our current Art on the Road series. We...