Laura Valentine
Works of Fine Art, Multi-Media Art works, Public Murals
Hastings Michigan

I work at my home studio, my back yard, in the woods, on my deck, in the garden, in my garage and quite often, while traveling. I often become unsettled when working too long in one particular medium.

I started out in College majoring in Elementary Education and became Michigan Certified in all subjects K-8 at CMU in 1987. I also hold a Bachelor of Science in Education with two Minors in Physical Science and Planned Program. Now, after adding the K-12 Art Education Major LX endorsement at Western Michigan University in 2004, I prefer to maintain a well versed ability in all the mediums I do. That being the challenge across drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and textiles; forgive me if I am not famous yet.

My life long conviction that "If one must teach in Fine Art, one must lead the way for the students in that medium, demonstrate keenly, and show the students what it takes to make it great".... is under mild re-construction. For so long in my mind as a student of many other "art teachers", I have always wondered why they aren't selling their works?, actively making the shows?, exactly who am I learning from?, etc.

 

After taking a couple long term teaching positions- I knew. It is due to a "behind the scenes re-fitting plans to the student body" principle, and the untold preparation factor! I have given to serious pondering of my position in the art field, as an Artist and a Teacher. Forgiveness and understanding have given way to my old naievety.

 

All said, I continue to occasionally and doggedly refuse to toss off my old naievety... and eventually return to my initial belief that in order to teach fine art effectively, one must experience the full spectrum of submitting, entering contests, of selling and promoting their own art to actively model successfull professional Artist practices to the Student artist. If you think about how it can be done in practice, the public school setting doesn't provide the leisure of time or finance to support having an Atelier experience in school.

 

I have arrived at the notion that standardized NAEA Art in a full curriculum --delivered to the potential of the student body in a traditional public school setting,  is just not made easily possible for public school Art Teachers. Many reasons are in explanation for this. Ask any Public School Art Teacher.  Shorter than realistic time frames, larger than normal sized classes, lack of funding for Fine Art Education realities, display spaces too small & Art Sales restrictions, etc.   Public Art Ateliers are more open to project-length-appropriate time frames, innovative display space, professional gallery marketing and individual artist internships. I feel that an Art Atelier is more of the environment where I see myself as a professional Artist and Teacher. When academic grades significantly increase as a student is allowed to work things out in visual space and tactile materials for just twenty minutes a week, then visual Art is a business we must take seriously.   Since no ateliers are in the area, I figure why not start one up!