Ms. Smith's Art Class

Hi All,

 Thanks for visiting my site! A few things about me.....

This is my sixth year at Blackland Prairie, and I love it! 

 Go Wildcats!!!

 I've been teaching Art for RRISD for 18 years. First at Caldwell Heights, then at Joe Lee Johnson, and now, at Blackland Prairie! 

 I grew up in upstate NY playing in the snow and the dirt and making mud pies! I've always liked to get dirty, I'm a hands on learner, so I turned it into a career. Art has always been what I do. I used to spend freezing weekends under the covers drawing and cutting and building with paper. My parents are very creative people and I grew up around paint, 2 by 4s, and sawdust!

  I went to art school at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia where I earned my BFA in Printmaking https://www.uarts.edu/. I was fortunate enough to spend a semester abroad in Rome (which was awesome) through Tyler School of Art https://tyler.temple.edu/temple-rome and I received my teaching certificate here in TX at Texas State https://www.education.txstate.edu/.

  I have 2 grown daughters whom I'm super proud of! One just moved to Greenville, SC and runs her own small business. The other graduated from UT and lives in Oakland, CA. She recently earned her masters in nonprofit administration and is currently working for College Track, helping students in underserved communities, Check her out here! https://collegetrack.org/team/?team=northern-california 

  Most of my spare time is spent making art, gardening, eradicating hackberry trees in my yard, tinkering, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

 I have a rescue cat named Connor, he is a wild man and spends most of his time outside making trouble! He's very popular in my neighborhood. At the beginning of the lockdown in 2019 I adopted Ethel, my chihuahua. She is adorable and the best dog that ever was!

 I also love to recycle! If you see anything you think we could use in the art room bring it in and we'll find a use for it!!!