Every year SVA graduate students have the opportunity to create artwork to be printed in a book highlighting a specific course offered at SVA for the MAT graduate program. In 2014 the Special Populations Course was highlighted to inform incoming 2015 SVA graduate students what the course entails. Our class created a piece of artwork and wrote about our experience teaching at the Baruch Houses Shelter which was published in the book for the Special Populations Course.
The Special Populations Course is a class where SVA graduate students visit the Baruch Houses Shelter in New York City and teach art to a range of pupils from ages PK to 12th grade.
"Tori's Turn" Artwork Shown in the Curriculum for Special Populations Book
I submitted the artwork called "Tori's Turn" and added writing to go with my art piece. Below you can read my submission. A young student named Tori lived in the shelter and participated in our art class often. I had the pleasure of teaching and working with Tori consistently when the class was held for an entire semester. The experience was a great opportunity to teach art, lesson plans and bond with students in the shelter.
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"Tori's Turn" / Watercolor, oil, ink on paper / 10" x 16" / 2014 by JS
She walked in, smiled and sat right next to me. She was quiet and reached for my hand and said, "I like you!" From that point onward a bond was built. We worked together at the shelter for most of the semester. I was able to enhance her creativity and project positive energy that lifted her spirits. This experience came through in her artwork as she more freely drew flowers, the sun and birds. You would never know the hardships she encounters on a daily basis because she was so happy, full of life, and eager to learn when she came to participate in the art class.
I will never forget the time we spent together enriching each other's lives. Not only did she learn from me, but I learned from her that creating artwork could be magical. This class allowed for time to cherish and touch lives, especially for those who are living in less fortunate circumstances.
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