Meet the Teachers  at Shades Valley | JCIB High School (Birmingham, Alabama)

	Ashley Culwell My love of art is best described in a Thomas Merton quote - , “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time”. Through art, I am able to carry myself away into a world where I undeniably know who I am and what I am capable of, all-the-while creating something of my own. It is my belief that through art, a person can grasp a true sense of creativity in discovering who they are as a person. It is through this philosophy that my desire of teaching art to young impressionable students w ... read moreould be to instill a passion of creativity and love for something that they might not be presented with otherwise. Similar to most subjects, art has its fundamentals that are crucial to building a foundation of skills. Art education is more than putting paint on a canvas; it is developing a person’s skillset and attitude that will later make them successful in whatever career field they choose. These taught abilities include much more than being able to make a decision. It is how to professionally critique, team build, solve problems, and be open-minded and fresh to new ideas. Teaching is encouraging these important aspects, providing freedom to explore, and allowing students to enter their world of creativity. Every student is different, which is comparable to a work of art. An artist has a certain process of art making, while a student has their own way of learning. I believe it is important to cater to each different method, all the while instilling certain objectives to be accomplished. The advantage to art education is the mere fact that art itself promotes free-thinking and creativity. Students are able to be subjective while learning and discovering the world around them. It is an entertaining environment to be a part of; learning who you are, what you can do, being confident to try something new, and taking risks without being so caught up in making mistakes. Scott Adams said it perfectly, “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” Art education helps you distinguish between the two. As an educator, it thrills me to think I can be involved in a student’s journey of self-discovery and creativity, being an advocate for his or her personal growth and development. Instagram: @sketchyartteacher Website: https://sites.google.com/view/thesketchyartteacher?usp=sharing Send compliment
	This teacher has submitted their own personal artwork! Click here to view their gallery.