Welcome to Mr. Schwartz's Workshop!

I am excited to be joining my Art Therapy colleagues in launching this website at the beginning of a new year.  2016 has already proven to be a busy one in the art therapy rooms across the district where many of the students I meet are selecting long-term projects to work on.

The coldest days of the winter tend to bring out the creative side of our students and many of us are looking ahead to Spring when we know the 19th Annual ARTSY Exhibit will provide each art therapy student with an opportunity to showcase an art work of their choice.  I am excited to say that several students plan to submit a piece of art for this year's exhibit's poster/postcard selection.  This exhibit is not a competitive show, but the opportunity to have your artwork represent the entire showcase does present both the excitement and challenges that comes with hoping you are selected.  We are trying to balance that hope with the realization that just entering your art in a contest is a contribution, whether your image is selected.

While art therapy offers each student the opportunity to work on individualized goals, each student has participated this school year in one project per month that demonstrates their understanding of the Alton School District's Character Education Word of the Month.  This month, February, the students will be creating images that demonstrate their understanding of the word "Perseverance." Each student will depict images of a time when they worked through something even though it felt hard, and think of what they can say out loud or in their head to help themselves when something feels difficult.

I hope you take the time to stop by our website from time to time and see what we have been up to.  

Stay warm and art on!

-Mr. Schwartz