Willits Students Learn from the Masters
By Jay Gordon
Originally published in the Willits Nickel & Dime www.thenickelanddime.com
If there’s anything more adorable than a pack of puppies, it’s a kindergarten class revving up for an art class. Last week, I stopped by Susan McLean’s lively bi-lingual class at Brookside Elementary School to watch famed local artist Ann Maglinte work her magic with the kids as part of GASP. That stands for “Get Art in the Schools Program,” which is a partnership between the Mendocino County Office of Education and the Arts Council of Mendocino County. This is one of several classes where artist workshops are provided during the school year.
Maglinte teaches art at La Vida Charter School and water color art at Mendocino College. GASP sponsors her student programs at Sherwood School and Blosser Lane in addition to those at Brookside Elementary. She has been teaching this kindergarten class “Exploring the techniques of the Great Masters.” She invites the students to produce a work of art in the style of such artists as Van Gogh, Seurat, Monet, and O’Keefe and encourages them throughout the process. |
GASP Artist Ann Maglinte with students at Brookside Elementary School in Willits. |
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According to Ann, “I have enjoyed sharing these artists with the students and classroom teachers. Even though I graduated with a degree in painting from San Jose State University, I learned a lot about these artists that I did not know as I put together this program.” She adds that, “Learning about the artists’ lives has really made the art more real and personal for the students, and I know this knowledge will stay with them as they continue their studies.”
Students learn how to see the various elements in the art they are viewing, as well as how to critique a work of art, using the visual art standards vocabulary. All the children get careful instruction so they feel successful and have a sense of accomplishment at the end of each lesson.
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Watching these kids was a reminder of how precious they are and how important it is that their creativity be nurtured. They listened to music by Mozart as they painted. It was also a lesson in appreciating the diversity of our community to hear Ms. McLean switch back and forth effortlessly between Spanish and English, always in a kind, affectionate tone. I was also able to briefly visit the classroom of Marette Myers’ 2nd grade class. She spoke with proud enthusiasm about her students. The room was festooned by the cheerful art work of students – and the whole area (inside and out) was alive with the sounds of happy children. These are lucky kids!
Maglinte was recently the featured artist for a month at Northcoast Artists, at 362 N. Main St. in Fort Bragg. This is a cooperative gallery of Fine Arts and Crafts representing the finest of Mendocino County's artists. They are open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Their phone number is (707) 964-8266. Their website is: www.northcoastartists.org.
Ann’s work is also featured at the prestigious Blue Sky Gallery at 21 S. Main St. in downtown Willits. Phone (707) 456-9025 or visit their website: www.blueskygallery.com. Ann’s own website, featuring the work of both her and her master craftsman husband, Jon, is: www.midnightmoon-celtic.com.
This article was first featured on www.thenickelanddime.com.
