Every year, the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers in collaboration with Golden Artists Colors hosts a special art residency for educators to enhance their personal and professional development in the arts.
Three educators were selected this year to participate in a two-week artists' residency in upstate New York through the Sam & Adele Golden Foundation. These educators were the proud mentors to students who received recognition in the 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Rebecca Buchanan of Century High School in Hillsboro, Oregon was one of this year's honorees and told the Alliance, “It was beyond what I could hope for; the other two recipients are fantastic painters and individuals, as well as the Golden family and Golden Artist Colors.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards educators chosen for this residency used their experience to develop their own artistic practice. Rebecca said, “I feel like I have been given such a special gift that will last me for years in my work and in my experience.”
The residency is based on the exploration of innovative uses of painting technology. Residents explored materials that challenge the way they think about paint and are introduced to materials that open up new channels for expression and the creative process.
Rebecca commented on how this changed her approach as an artist and educator: "I want my students to [...] know about all different mediums. [...] I know that I need to paint every day to get out of my own head as to what I should be doing. This knowledge helps me with my own students blocking of creativity."
Be sure to encourage students to submit their work now through December.To learn more, visit www.artandwriting.org.
