"Artist as Teacher,  / Teacher as Artist” Exhibit Opens at NRHS

By Lea Cohen

The pieces in the show outlined the versatility and creativity in expression held by the art educators in the district, as varying mediums stood on display: posca markers, colored pencils, ink, latex, oil paint, ceramics, glass, printmaking, digital work, and more. Booklets were made and given out to onlookers to understand each artist as an individual. These booklets featured expansive explanations about the meaning of each artist's work, as well as their thought process as an artist holistically. 

Ms. Brock, an AP Art and Drawing and Painting teacher at NRHS–also director of the MAC gallery–put her heart and soul into this show, along with every other participating artist. Brock highlighted the surprising fact that teacher shows like this had in fact been put together in previous years, but haven’t made a comeback since COVID. Brock also commented on the dichotomy between artists and teachers, and the significance of students seeing their teachers’ artwork. 

“I think it's good for everybody to see, like we’re not just teachers,” she said. A lot of people think that teachers in their field just teach. No, we’re teaching because we’re passionate about it and it’s something we really do ourselves. It’s something we’re really passionate about.” Brock added, “We’re all artists and like, we walk the walk so we could talk the talk, you know?”

She reflected on the experience extremely fondly and she especially loved to see the teachers share out and explain their work, as well as be able to work together on the show. “It was so nice to share it. The teachers have all these envelopes full of feedback, I can’t wait to read them,” she said “It was nice for all of us as a department, too–to just be together.”” 

When asked how her art-education balance is, she said “I try to do as much of both. Things also changed like when my son was a baby versus when my son was a preteen, you know, like my responsibilities changed. I think life’s a juggle. I think everybody has a passion, and I think everybody would rather not go to work and paint or read a book or play an instrument… I think it's just the balance of doing things you love and things that–but I love teaching, I really do. Ms 

Brock, who began teaching immediately out of undergraduate university, has never had a year to herself to just “straight focus” on her work. “My first year of retirement will be self-designed, you know,” she said. “I haven’t had a chance to entirely focus on just doing my art.” She also commented on the eye sculptures she has displayed in the show. “It took me a year to make those eyes…The one good thing about having less time is that I think about everything more. I know if I’m working on something then I have a week to think about it before I can go back and do something. I’m thinking about it all the time: when I’m driving my car, etc.” 

Ms. Brock additionally spoke more about her own work. “All of my work is always really personal. That's just how I work. I'm not shy, I’ll talk about it and when students do personal work, I kind of lean into it. I'm like, ‘keep going, get deeper.’” She believes her modes of self-expression share many similarities with the way she helps her students with that expression. “I think that the way I do my artwork and the way I teach is very interconnected. I think the best art is the most honest.”

All in all, Ms. Brock would love to put on a show like this again in the future. “ I'd love to do it again with all the teachers. I mean, I invited all the teachers K through 12. I hope that next time, every single person does it.”