Class overview

Whether you are in elementary or high school, art class provides opportunities to explore a wide range of art forms, including fibers, clay, drawing, painting, architecture, graphic design, and video production. Through hands-on projects, students develop artistic skills, creative problem-solving, and confidence in expressing their ideas.

The art program values experience, effort, and growth over creating artwork that is simply “pretty.” Students also strengthen communication and collaboration skills through critiques, group work, and presentations.

About me

Hi! My name is Leona Phillips, and I am so excited to begin my first year of teaching art! I teach students in Pre-K through 4th grade at Carthage Elementary and grades 9–12. at Smith County High. I graduated from Tennessee Tech University in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

When I’m not in the washing brushes or scrubbing paint off the desks, I love spending time with my family, especially when fishing from our boat. I am also a huge animal lover! I have three dogs, 11 chickens, more than 20 quail, three rabbits, and a parakeet. I also love In-N-Out Burger and Dutch Bros!