Note: To protect the privacy of our members, e-mail addresses have been removed from the archived messages. As a result, some links may be broken.

Lesson Plans


Re: Art Fair

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Mark Alexander (Alexander)mamjam)
Mon, 14 Apr 1997 09:58:55 -0500

Dear Larry and Judy,
I agree with Judy. As a sixth grader I remember winning a prize at the
school art show and having my best friend feel left out. The experience
turned him off to art, and it turned me off to juried shows, especially at
the K-8 level. As a matter of fact, it was only recently that I entered any
juried shows myself! For twenty years as an artist I've sought only one
person or non-juried shows for exhibiting my work, because I feel that
while a judge is welcomed to their opinion, their opinion is irrelevent to
the goals of my artwork. And while I haven't "struck it rich" as an artist,
the sales of my work sometimes covers the costs of making it, so I consider
myself successful. In May we will be having the Kellogg Band Concert and
Art Show, which is a celebration of art and music without competition.
Respectfully yours,
Mark Alexander
1-8 Art
Lee H. Kellogg School
Falls Village, CT 06031

At 9:18 PM 4/13/97, Stenger - Judith DiSalvo wrote:
>Dear Larry,
> I love the idea of displaying artwork, but why does it have to be
>competitive? We seem to be caught up in whose is BEST instead of enjoying
>the uniqueness and variety of expression.
>Judy
>
>On Sun, 13 Apr 1997, Larry E. Chaney Jr. wrote:
>
>> Dear ArtEdNet,
>>
>> Two questions.
>>
>> As an art teacher in a K-12 rural, school. I have had my first art
>> fair. Student work from grades 7 - 12 were put on display, the same
>> night of a school musical. I asked three women from the community art
>> association to be judges for the show. They did a wonderful job. They
>> spent hours discussing each work and ribbons were awarded. I then wrote
>> a personal thank you to each one for their services. My question is,
>> was this enough? Should some sort of compensation be rewarded by the
>> school? It is so sad, that in our society, some people feel that they
>> deserve more than a thank you, for helping out others. So why do I feel
>> like I owe them something? I would like to use them again the future.
>>
>> What I would like to know is, what other schools do for judges of
>> shows? I am the only art teacher at the building, and need advice?
>>
>> My second question is, now I would like to schedule an elementary show
>> (grades K - 6). What do others of you do for elementary? Should their
>> work just be on display?
>>
>> I have been teaching art for 5 years and this is my first year for art
>> fairs. I am very excited and so are the students. I want to do this
>> properly.
>>
>> Thank you for any advice!!!
>>
>> Mel Chaney
>>
>> K-12 Art
>> Midway R-1
>> Cleveland, MO 64734
>>