Students with remarkable talent

[amyd...@comcast.net]

Hi all!

I hope everyone is doing well in their student teaching. I have a student who is incredibly talented in art. He is the only student in our Studio class because
he has taken all other art classes offered. Our concern is that he is failing
every other class. I am saddened to think that he may leave school and simple
attempt to get a job in order to support his family, while dismissing his passion for art. With his grades, he will not be able to get into any art schools, but I get the feeling he would like to find some path that would allow him to use his talents. I am not sure what he could do with out a degree or formal art training. He masters materials almost instantly, but he could use more training in composition. I would like to help him find a career path that would allow him to continue and grow as an artist. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Best wishes!
Amy

[Abel Abeita]

Good topic Amy,

Helping a student find a career path is a daunting task. Especially in
our culture where career paths are changed so often in the course of
one's life. Talent and passion unfortunately are not always enough to
"make it" in our society. I think building momentum in your student is
important. Success in completing incredible art projects is a great
starting point to build on. Making things with one's own hands is
important and a great way to stress that whatever is created by this
student must come from within. How can you fuel the fire? Give it
wood and air...
Having a degree in high school or a GED is a must. I think this must be
communicated clearly and the hurdle of completing this milestone can
catapult a student on to other challenges. You can't run the race for
a student, but you can challenge, set goals, show them other artists
that have overcome hardships, and help them build confidence in
themselves. What he does to "make it" in the world will depend on his
own hard work so help teach him the importance of working hard. He
will need to learn from his own mistakes and that is a life long
journey. There is no set answer for every person and this remains a
challenge in our own lives as artists, students, and teachers. The
spark for our own fires (passion) comes from within and with our life
experiences it has become evident that our passion can be smothered by
extenuous circumstances, but if it is important nothing can put it out.
This sort of attitude can be taught to others and students can be
nurtured to gain their own energy and use it with self confidence.

[maggiero...@aol.com]

Amy:

YOu might get a portfolio together of his works and have him apply for a Harwood scholoarship to attend classes with adults. This will broaden his social circle, introduce him to passionate amatuers as well as expose him to professional artists.

Or you may want to call Harwood to talk with Buffy at 242-6367 and ask her advise.

I'm thrilled that you're wanting to help this young person out. You might make all the difference to him.

Keep up the good work!

Maggie

[Nancy Brady]

This was an incredible response Abel, you have much wisdom, especially
when you said that our spark cannot be smothered if it is important to
us. Young people today are dealing with difficult times if they don't
go to college and we do not have the old option of vocational schools
for kids who do not do well academically. I think this has been a big
mistake and it needs to be changed. Things do change and will change
again, and it is important for us to write letters to our government at
every level and be activists for this change. In the mean time we can
only support, encourage and care for our students in addition to
facilitating meaningful art experiences. I do believe that each child
will carry their passion for art with them, they may get sidetracked
because of work, or raising a family, or life, but if it is real it
will stay. I am a perfect example, I quit school at 17, raised a
family, got my GED, went back to school when my youngest was 10, he is
28 now, and I am a successful art teacher and am getting my Masters. If
I can do it any one can, at any age or time in their life.
Nancy Brady