TEACHING IS LEARNING

HOW I LEARNED TO TEACH

When the opportunity for me to teach a workshop arose, I jumped at the chance. So quickly in fact, that I didn't really think about how I was going to do it. So, not unlike the bear that went over the mountain, I went to the internet - to see what I could see.

Lucky for me, there are many people out there who enjoy writing about what they do - what they're good at. One web page I found had pretty much all the answers I needed. Actually, this site has a ton of helpful information I use all the time. (Check out Rena Klingenberg's web site for great tips on running a successful jewelry making business.)

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My teaching space – tool kits, materials, inspiration in samples and magazines.

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DECIDE IF YOU’RE READY – ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

1. Do I like to teach, instruct, or stand up in front of a bunch of strangers (or even friends) and talk?

Okay, this is really public speaking, which let's face it, is the number one phobia in the world. I'm not a big fan of it BUT it is super easy when I know what I'm talking about. It's that simple. If I'm the expert, then I can talk about it all day long.

Here's a clue for you to know if you can speak in front of strangers: When you sell your creations, do you speak to potential customers about your work and how you are inspired and what materials you use? If the answer is 'yes' then you can teach a class of strangers.

And by the way, your students are not strangers for long. People come to a class like this on their own free will because they want to have fun - nobody's going to give you a hard time.

2. Do I have the patience to teach?

This is easy. You know if you do or if you don’t. I have two kids – yes, I have patience for miles.

3. Do I have the expertise to teach my craft?

Well, one might find it difficult to call oneself an expert, but consider this: Do you sell your jewelry? Do you get complimented on your techniques? Do other artists enjoy your work? Similar to patience, you know if you are an expert in what you are currently doing or not. That doesn’t mean you’re not still learning – how else are you going to grow as an artist?

4. Can I facilitate effectively?

I’m a planner. If I have a plan laid out in front of me that I can follow, then I know I can get back on track if the class gets side-tracked. And again, if I know what I’m talking about, then I know I can get my points across.

DOUBLE DUTY

Here are some instructor pointers I picked up from my recent PMC class. I basically observed how my teacher was instructing and I was learning a new skill at the same time. Man, I should have paid her double!

Introduce yourself – explain how you got to where you are and what you enjoy about it.

Student intros – ask participants what level they’re at and why they decided to take your class.

Tool time – have a tool kit for each student and go over them all before you begin so they can handle them.

Inspiration – with so many design options, help students decide what to create by showing them examples and having magazines available for them to peruse.

Demo – show how step one is done and then let them do it, repeat with each step.

Room to move – give students a reason to get up and move around – artists need freedom!

MY ADVICE

After teaching a couple of classes, I picked up some of my own pointers. Teachers often say they learn from their students, and it’s true.

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My two students, Mary Jane and Becky, proudly sporting their new creations!

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Test all new materials – even if they look exactly like what you’ve used in the past.

Know what time it is – get a watch or a clock for your teaching space.

Be flexible – even though a plan is important, realize things may change in mid-stream.

Ask questions – find out your students’ expectations.

So that’s it. Through this article, I hope I’ve been able to assist another artist who wishes to teach a workshop!

LOOKING FORWARD

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FANCY FREE ME

Instructing: Beaded Jewelry Design
Mud Spun Arts Center
Belchertown, MA
6-week Workshop - 7-9 pm
Wednesdays beginning July 9

Craft Show on the Common
Town Green
Belchertown, MA
Saturday, June 14 - 9am-4pm

Crafts on the Common
Town Green
Amherst, MA
Saturday, July 12 - 9am-5pm

Etsy Arts Festival
Marketplace at Eastworks
Easthampton, MA
Saturday, September 13 - 10am-5pm

*stART in the Street
Park Avenue, between Highland and Pleasant
Worcester, MA
Sunday, September 21 - 11am-5pm

Arts and Music Festival
Mud Spun Arts Center
Belchertown, MA
Sunday, October 12

Winter Festival
Marketplace at Eastworks
Easthampton, MA
Friday-Sunday, November 28-30 - 9am-5pm


*pending jury selection

LEARNING IS GOOD

Who doesn't love to take an art class?

A friend and I went to New Hampshire to stay with my sister, Deborah. "The friend" is actually one of my sister's high school buddies.

We took a PMC (precious metal clay) class at Exeter Fine Crafts, a beautiful gallery and teaching facility. The town of Exeter is very artsy and there were lots of fun shops and boutiques to visit.

We made pendants using PMC clay, texture plates, stamps, molds and hand tools. We even used an ancient Korean method called Keum Boo (kum-boo), which translated means "attached gold". Everyone made quite stunning pieces.

Here's my piece. I used all hand tools to create the design, cut it out with a cookie cutter type of tool, and used a mold to capture the bird.


My bail is a little crooked and my patina is not quite right, but I love this thing and can't wait to create more!

Calling Etsy Artists

Organizing Fall Show Now

We're looking for some of Etsy's finest to show at a beautiful indoor venue in Easthampton, Mass. This will be an Etsy-only show to be held this fall. All the details have not yet been determined, but thought we'd get a jump start on at least finding interested artists. We'd love to find a wide range of artists working in all mediums. Please contact me if you are interested.

Date: Fall - possibly two days

Time: 10-5 - most likely

Venue: Marketplace at Eastworks (search my blog for 'eastworks' to learn more about the venue)

More Info: coming soon!

I've shown in this venue for over a year now and they are well-communicated shows. I always make about eight-to-ten times my booth fee. Won't you consider joining us?

Releasing the Artist Within

Mud Spun Arts Center Offers Spring Workshops

Most artists would probably admit their art has taken a back seat to living their busy lives; caring for their families and advancing in their careers. Lucky is the artisan who is able to enjoy true freedom in making a living doing what they love. Also fortunate are those who are able to weave their art into their everyday lives. Becky Laliberte, owner of Mud Spun Arts Center, has done just that.

Laliberte, with her builder husband Martin, owns Swift River Commons (formerly known as Village Square Shops) on Daniel Shays Highway in Belchertown. Their property is home to small businesses like Amp Works, Real Fitness and Liberty Nails, to name a few.

Encouraged by her husband, Laliberte was able to carve out a space in their building to house her pottery wheel and kiln.

“Over the years, all of my studio time has been spent in a basement, either at home or in college. So having this new studio space, with its abundance of natural light provides so much inspiration,” said Laliberte.


Since the spring of 2007, Laliberte has been putting her studio to good use and making the necessary plans to open the arts center. The official opening will be this spring, when Mud Spun offers their six-week workshops for adults and teens.

Still in the planning stages for 2008 is an art and music festival to be held on the green behind the property on Daniel Shays Highway. It would include a showing of art from the various instructors, as well as other artists, a sampling of live music presented by Amp Works, and a possible “taste of art” for those who would like to try their hand at making a mini-masterpiece. Interested artists can e-mail photos of their work to Becky at Mud Spun.

BALANCING ACT

Back in high school, Laliberte discovered pottery during art class and has been drawn to it ever since. “I’ve continued to work with clay on and off over the years. It’s a gentle, quiet voice always calling me back,” Laliberte said.

Laliberte earned a Bachelors’ degree in art at Elms College and values art as a staple of the human condition.

“Art is such an important part of our culture and our existence. The earliest recordings we have, as a people, are in art,” Laliberte said.
Her secondary degree, in education, has allowed Laliberte to make a living as a teacher. Although not an art teacher, she taught elementary school in Chicopee for five years.

By offering art classes in her new studio, Laliberte finds a balance that she hasn’t quite accomplished until now.


“The center evolved out my desire to have a place to practice my own art and as a way to bridge my background in art with my background as a teacher,” Laliberte said.

AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL

Laliberte’s vision for the center is to provide an opportunity for people to learn something new from instructors who are willing to share art in a fun, friendly and relaxed environment.

“I see the studio as a place to immerse yourself in the process as you explore art,” Laliberte said.

Laliberte hopes to realize her vision as an artist and a teacher by providing the community with an opportunity for art enrichment. By offering workshops, individual instruction and fun get-togethers, participants can explore different forms of the arts.

“I’m so excited about the center,” Laliberte said. “I’ve been very fortunate to find talented artists who share this vision and actually have the time to teach a workshop.”

SPRING INTO ART

The following six-week spring workshops will begin in early March and run through late June. Each workshop is offered once a week for six weeks on a specific day, at a set time. Materials and use of tools are included.

Clay Tile Making, instructed by Becky Laliberte, will cover the basics of how to prepare clay, construct slabs, alter surfaces and explore various methods of relief carving. Participants will complete glazed, fired tiles that can be displayed as works of art or installed as functional decorative tiles.

Elements of Drawing, instructed by Jennifer Sinclair, will help sharpen participants’ abilities to decipher different values, identify and represent light sources, and employ perspective. Each class will focus on a different drawing element.

Beaded Jewelry Design, instructed by Deanna Roux, will encourage participants to explore basic beading skills, while designing and creating wearable art out of glass, metal, leather and wire. Each class will focus on a different technique and will yield at least one piece of jewelry.

Woodcarving, instructed by Elton Braithwaite, will touch upon the cultures of Africa and the Caribbean as they relate to woodcarving, while teaching the skills of ancient woodcarving. Braithwaite, a natural story teller, will encourage students to develop patience and concentration as they execute an original relief carving.

Interested participants should contact Mud Spun or go online to register at www.mudspunartscenter.com.

ART CAMP FOR KIDS

This summer, Mud Spun will offer a children’s art camp to give kids a deeper appreciation of art. Students will look at some of the great masters and study the different colors and mediums that were used.


“A lot of towns are having to eliminate art; something that makes for a much more diversified education. This art camp will be an opportunity for people who want more options for their children,” explained Laliberte.

Laliberte encourages artists (or artists in hiding) to listen to their inner voice and come explore their artistic talents.

“I think the world we live in sometimes robs us of our individual passions,” Laliberte said. “It gives me great satisfaction to be able to help another artist rediscover that.”

Reprinted with permission from The Sentinel, Turley Publications.