“Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run, than outright exposure.” -Helen Keller

Experimentation is essential for growth. If we don’t try something because it might not work, we run the risk of losing an outright, truly beautiful experience. In my art room, the most important lesson is to stretch and explore. I will do what I can to arm my students with a curiosity that will help them with their adaptability, and problem solving skills, that will help them to realize their goals, and learn from their failures. And honestly, just embrace the weird.

I am, to my knowledge, still the only student at Arts and Tech Night in the UWM Kenilworth building, that has had to consult Campus Safety BEFORE installing, and exhibiting a piece. Because I thought: “Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to control fire with your finger tips?” Which is what led me to my interactive piece Prayers for Rain. A lot of people had one of their more memorable experiences because they interacted with a piece that used a sensor to track their fingertips, and convert it into a sound wave which controlled a fire, that, in turn, affected temperature sensitive films and that changed color with heat. Which never would have happened if I was afraid exploring how to make a Reuben’s Tube, and Max MSP.

Exploration is a key part of my teaching practice, and is fundamental to growth as an artist. For instance, I am currently working on an art history research project, with my third graders, the kids were given a list of diverse artists to look up with their Chromebooks, and fill out and draw things based on their life and work. One student who has struggled the most in the class, to the point where he hasn’t turned in most of the work, on purpose. He asked me if he could research Vincent Van Gough, an artist that wasn’t on the list, after a little discussion I granted him permission to explore the works, and now, that student has been the most driven in the room for this assignment. A fact which I am very proud of him for. Because the enthusiasm is there, when the students are given the freedom to explore art worlds.