“Every child is an artist” — Pablo Picasso
This is what we believe in at Woodlake Elementary Art Work Shop. We are creating an environment for students where they can discover and express themselves through art. The Art Room is a continuously evolving space for visual art explorations where we work and learn as we go. All students attend the Art Work Shop once a week. We begin the year with basic shapes, colors, lines, and work on art pieces inspired by Mondrian and Kandinsky. We continue with Picasso and Henri Matisse in the spirit of Cubism and self-portraits. The Art Work Shop welcomes parent volunteers!
My name is Sharon Oren. I am the Art Instructor for Woodlake. I am a previous Woodlake Parent and volunteered for many years at Woodlake in the classroom for art. I was the art administrator for Woodlake's previous art program "The Art Box." In my own studio, I teach art and do the recycled art project for Night of the Arts with the Woodlake students.
I love teaching and seeing our student's expression through art.
I am excited that the PTSA continues to fund the Art Room. This allows students once a week to participate in art in our Art Work Shop space. I hope Woodlake students will connect to and develop their imagination through visual arts.
I love parent and volunteer participation and ideas. You are welcome to come to the Art Room any day and time. If you would like to volunteer during an art class (does not need to be during your child's class), please speak with your classroom teacher or the PTSA room parent coordinator.
Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:
4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
4 times more likely to participate in math and science fairs
3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem
Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:
Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently
Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
Perform community service more than four times as often
(Source: "Living the Arts through Language + Learning: A Report on Community-based Youth Organizations," Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation For the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, November 1998)
Arts education makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has been proven to help level the "learning field" across socio-economic boundaries. (Source: Involvement in the Arts and Success in Secondary School, James S. Catterall, The UCLA Imagination Project, Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, UCLA, Americans for the Arts Monograph, January 1998)
Arts education has a measurable impact on at-risk youth in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance among those youth engaged in after school and summer arts programs targeted toward delinquency prevention. (Source: YouthARTS Development Project, 1996, U.S. Department of Justice, National Endowment for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts)
Art education builds a school climate of high expectation, discipline, and academic rigor that attracts businesses relocating to your community.
Art education strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success.
Art education helps students develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting—skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Art education can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to destructive behavior and another way for students to approach learning.
Art education provides another opportunity for parental, community, and business involvement with schools, including arts and humanities organizations.
Art education helps all students develop more appreciation and understanding of the world around them.
Art education helps students develop a positive work ethic and pride in a job well done.