Things are Heating Up in the

Art Therapy Workshop

 

Summer weather sure lingered this Fall.

But we are officially feeling some colder weather this week!!!

 

In these seasons of Thanksgiving and gift giving, so many of the students who receive art therapy services have been taking time to create art as gifts or to acknowledge the people who give them the greatest support.

 

 

When Kids invest in creating something out of firing clay, they are practicing so many skills that they will need to be successful in school, family and community. 

 

They are practicing

• How to think of others and consider what others might want from them.
• How to work through messy and sometimes frustrating problems without giving up.
• How to take breaks when things get too frustrating.
• Patience!  Waiting for clay to dry, get fired, come back to paint (or glaze).  Waiting for each layer of glaze to dry before applying a 2nd and 3rd coat.  Waiting for the special day to actually give the gift they made.

If you are lucky enough to receive a handmade gift from a child of any age.  Take time to recognize all that went into what they made and help them see how far they have come!

 

Many thanks to all of our families and supports!

 

-Mr. Schwartz

 

 

 

HAPPY OCTOBER! 

 

It's never too early to think of the ones we love with

the Holiday Seasons just a round the corner. 

Some of our family members might just be getting something special made

out of clay in the months to come.

 

 

Our 4th-6th Grade Art Therapy Students have rolled up their sleeves to learn

what it means to be

Assertive

 

We have  explored the pros and cons of the two opposites of being Assertive

(Passive and Aggressive).

While we can name times when being Passive or Aggressive is the right way to be...

We all agree that being ASSERTIVE is never, ever a bad thing to be. 

We also had quite a bit of fun acting out scenarios where we can be assertive even when we don't say a single word.

We will be exploring what it means to be Assertive & how to make assertive choices in the months to come.

 

No Perfection Zone / Mistakes Are Welcomed

Just a little reminder: 

Talk with your child about what this sign might mean to them!

 

Welcome Back!!!

First Day of School!

2016-2017



 

Every child deserves a champion

an adult who will never give up on them,

who understands the power of connection,

and insists that they become

the best that they can possibly be.

-Rita Pierson



Welcome back to Mr. Schwartz's Workshop!

Spring has fully sprung in the art therapy rooms across the district and with Spring brings the promise of yet another opportunity for the students to showcase the art that feels most meaningful to them.

The Alton School District is once again participating in the 19th ANNUAL ARTSY Exhibit featuring works created by youth in therapeutic settings.
 

This year I am particularly excited to share that four of our students completed art pieces in time to submit to the ARSY Exhibit poster selection committee and all four pieces were well received.  

The Committee selected a painting by 3rd Grade student Ann G. of Alton's Gilson Brown Elementary to be the image for this year's poster.  The painting is titled "Hands Holding The World" Congratulations to all of the students who submitted work.  Way to Go Annie!  We are all so proud!

We also anticipate several Alton students will be selected to serve as curators, helping to set up this year's exhibit and have had multiple students requesting to share a talent as part of the art opening's entertainment.  Please considering attending the Art opening on:

SATURDAY, May 14th

1:00-3:00 pm

at

Jacoby Arts Center

in

Downtown Alton.

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