A typical day in my art room services from 5-6 classes. Class sizes range from 25-32 students, from Pre-K to 8th Grade. I see about 600 kids a week. Its a non-stop day of prepping materials, cleaning up, reflecting on the days lessons, and then getting ready to do it all again.
Our school is located in a very low income neighborhood in Chicago.
Many of our students only meals are eaten at school. There is much need, and the teachers make up for many things but its really difficult when you see over 600 students! You give as much as you can, and always hope for more. Before I arrived at this school many of students had never had a visual arts teacher. I have worked very hard to expose my classes to many aspects of art making. Everything is hands-on, and you will never see a "coloring sheet" in my room! We paint often, draw from observation or imagination, and last year touched clay for the first time (for many). There is much more planned for this coming year, and I know I will be dazzled. No matter how challenging a class can be, flipping through a stack of finished work and seeing a gem, makes it all worth it.
My Project
Our school is, well, vintage. It has its charm, but needs work. I have made it a personal mission to make the public spaces something staff and students can be proud of. With this project students will be making self portraits in the form of a 6"x6" tile. Students will make the slab tile, use their clay skills to make a dimensional portrait of themselves. The tiles will dry, then be bisque fired (I will provide the kiln service from my personal studio), then they will be glazed, and fired once more. The tiles will be installed on a large hallway wall. (A professional tile setter has volunteered his talents for the installation). I am estimating about 400-500 tiles.
This project will allow our students to contribute their individual project and have it be a piece of a larger puzzle.
It is going to be a visually stunning art installation, that will be bring pride and the understanding of talent and skill to those who create it.
I want our students to be part of the beatification of our charming old school. With the choice of this durable material it will stand the test of time.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Burcheri-Vistian and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.