These sources are what I used to collect my research before I had known what my project would become. 

Cohen-Evron, N. (2002). Why Do Good Art Teachers Find It Hard to Stay in the Public School System? Studies in Art Education, 44(1), 79–94. https://doi.org/10.2307/1321050

This article discussed how teachers in public schools are finding it difficult to want to continue their art teaching careers in environments like public schools. This article, under the heading of “Negotiating the Status of Art Within the Public Education System”, cites evidence as to why art teachers with dwindling budgets find it hard to excite their students about art, let alone themselves. This article is a journal report from an issue of “A Journal of Issues and Research”, which is based through the School of Art, college in Israel, that combines United States and Israel data. This article takes research and first hand accounts from art teachers who are experiencing troubles staying motivated in public school education. The author of this journal is based in Israel, but just because this is not based in America, it doesn’t mean this information can be translated to impacts in America. This journal is a good recent representation because it was published in January of 2024, so any effects of the pandemic would be included.This source is very important to my research because it shows that not only the kids are suffering from a lack of art education, but also the teachers who want to share their passions. This article also shows that it isn’t always a lack of teachers, but a lack of funding, attention, and support to art education programs. 

E. Williams art teacher at PSLA personal communication November 13,2024

The topics of the conversation discussed specifics on the art education and art supplies usage and availability. By learning and conversatinging with someone who sees firsthand the means of art supplies or lack thereof, it represents the unequal opportunities some of these students experience. Also the unequal responsibilities placed on teachers to help provide a worthwhile art education to their students. Eric Williams, the only long term art teacher at PSLA, formerly known as Fowler High School, spends upwards of 25 hundred dollars of his personal money to buy supplies to supply the kids who are passionate about art but do not have the means to afford such things. This is a firsthand account of a person seeing these circumstances being told to me, therefore it is now a second hand account of information. This is reliable information that came from a trusted source who was asked about why he became an art teacher and insights on his ideas of what he wishes to encourage in his students. All information given is relative to 2020 or later. Having this conversation only strengthened the desire to help, and now that I know of a local community that could benefit from this help, it makes the project seem all the more accessible. Eric Williams helped me understand the true underlying problem, and it's not the lack of want to engage in art and creativity, but rather the consistent and even systematic poverty and financial uncertainty many of these kids face at home and in school. 

Hunter, A. D., Heise, D., & Johns, B. H. (Eds.). (2018). Art for Children Experiencing Psychological Trauma: A Guide for Art Educators and School-Based Professionals. Routledge.

This resource is a lengthy book that gives information and resources for teachers and students dealing with or knowing someone dealing with psychological trauma within the adolescent mind. This book is a resource that is a combined collective of three professionals all within the field of mental health and art education. (All following information is as of the publishing date). Adrienne D. Hunter has over 35 years of first hand experience working with adolescents struggling with mental health and mental health of those who are incarcerated as an adolescent. Hunter works first hand with them teaching them art. Donalyn Heise is a researcher and multi-published author who became a founder and co-director of TEAL, which is Teacher Effectiveness for Art Learning. Heise is a leader and researcher of over 30 years on this topic. Beverly H. Johns is a fellow at MacMurray College and a special education author. Johns had worked closely with adolescents with behavioral issues centering on art and how that can benefit them for over 33 years. This source really gave me insight on real life applications that have been long standing even before I was born and how this practice is validated through many professionals and authors focused on adolescent mental health. Reading about this real life application enforces the idea of the capstone project I wish to complete. 

Kumar, Vinay; Pavitra, KS1; Bhattacharya, Rahul2. Creative pursuits for mental health and well-being. Indian Journal of Psychiatry 66(Suppl 2):p S283-S303, January 2024. | DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_781_23 

One of the main points of this article is that the use of creative pursuits may allow for a better understanding and better aid to mental health and overall well-being. This article explains and provides evidence where art and creative practices were used and beneficial in the diagnosis and treatment of certain mental illnesses as well as just over improving the well-being of those unaffected by an actual mental health disorder. This information is all found in the journal article that is all based on clinical practices in art therapy and the therapeutic practices of art. This article also has many helpful tips on how to use this practice in a clinical setting that may come in handy in the duration of this project.  The researchers and writers of this article are educated psychologists that observed these clinical practice to make evidence based claims.This article just further confirmed my thoughts on this topic. Although this article is based on a clinical environment the results show evidence that backs up art therapy as a legitimate science, and can therefore show how it may be impactful in a non clinical setting such as schools.