"The Art Educator, Reshaping the Thinking of Our
Community," opening March 5, features a variety of works from 43
visual artists who teach in 12 public school districts and at 10
colleges and universities from upstate New York.
"What makes it unique in this area is that it breaks down the
boundaries between college university artists and artists that teach
at the high school level," said Hall Groat II, a professor at Broome
Community College and one of the organizers of the exhibit. "This
particular show really reduces everything. It becomes very equal."
"This is the first time that such a large number of artists has
been brought together with a central theme," said James M. "Chip"
Kinne, curator at the Avenue Art Gallery, "to celebrate what they do
and to show how they make an impact on our community and our
society."
Types of art showcased will include paintings, sculptures,
photography and ceramic pieces. Some educators will even display
images of their students' works to illustrate a link between their
art and what they teach.
"The unique thing is to see if one's teaching philosophy --
approach to teaching -- is actually represented in the work itself
somehow," Groat said. "To be able to look at that correlation --
that's the big thrust."
Marc Dennis, an art professor at Elmira College, stressed the
vital link between art and education that this exhibit promotes. His
neo- or post-modern baroque paintings will be on display at the art
gallery.
"The one thing that struck me about the [Greater Binghamton]
region was the number of colleges and schools with strong art
programs and faculty, not to mention the students, who in all
actuality make the departments what they are," Dennis said. "Never
had I seen a faculty show, so to speak, that revealed one's
philosophy and/or pedagogical nature towards their profession."
Keith A. Rosko, a studio art teacher at Chenango Forks High
School, also champions the concept of showcasing art by those who
teach it. A teacher's lessons carry more meaning if taught by an
actual artist, he said.
"I have always believed that if you are going to teach art, you
should be involved in creating art," said Rosko, who will have
several drawings of Native American culture on display. "Being an
active and working artist gives you the ability to communicate to
students in a different way and allows them to see that art isn't
something you do just once a day for 42 minutes, but something that
can be a part of your whole life, all day, every day."
David Cox, an art teacher at Johnson City High School, saluted
the idea of spotlighting art created by art teachers. For the first
time, educators can take a step back and watch the public pore over
their art, said Cox, who will be displaying his nature-inspired wood
carvings, photography and ceramic sculptures.
"As educators we're often involved with helping put together
large exhibits of student artwork," he said. "As artists, now it's
our turn. This show will be unique because it'll give us a chance to
share our work, not only with our students and the community, but
with each other as well."
"There is a kind of pride that is not found in other shows,"
added Dennis. "It is long overdue."
Gold is a free-lance writer at Binghamton University.
