I would have dived right-in and started making my own creations in these inviting workspaces! During the interviews, it became apparent the passion both Jessi and Sue have for the students they instruct. With their knowledge, guidance, and encouragement students can express themselves through their creations promoting personal growth, confidence, and selfesteem. Both instructors resonate “there is no right way or wrong way” when it comes to art. Overall, Sue encourages students to enjoy what they do and to work through the fear of someone not liking their art. Art is subjective in nature and what one person likes another may not and the differences are what makes humans and art distinctive. As Sue states “art is a journey”, with her guiding the students through the creative process. Sue starts classes with a conversation, or a discussion talking about who they are as individuals, and perhaps experimenting with mixing colors or trying new mediums. When a student asks Sue for help with their work she states “if needed I will assist with an eye or a mouth on a painting, otherwise this is their work. It is who they are, they own it”. Jessi who likes to problem solve uses her skills to assist her students with their projects. She poses questions such as “what can we do to fatten your brush”? According to Jessie, many students must work ducing... Intro through physical barriers such as dexterity when completing their work. In other instances, some students start from a very basic place. “I have them draw four shapes. I tell them you can do anything if you start with a shape”. One of Jessi’s favorite projects is a paper cut-out of a light pole spanning floor to ceiling on the north wall of the studio. There are paper power lines running vertically complete with birds sitting on the wires. “This was one of our first projects we worked on and it actually interested students in other classrooms. I provided guidance, watercolors, charcoal, and acrylic paint and let them create.” My eye caught several paintings unique to others hanging on the walls of Courage Art Studio. Jessi explained they are “group paintings” where students use their leftover paint to decorate a canvas. They continue to add to the painting through several class periods until they are satisfied with a final product. Each of these canvas’ are beautifully abstract and yet distinctively composed. What a creative way to utilize paint and build teamwork completing a shared project? One of Jessi’s students had a difficult time with getting messy and needed to clean-up frequently during their classes. She reports “after a few sessions he was having so much fun he forgot about being messy… It’s impossible to be in a bad mood working here” she says. An example Sue provided relates to a student who is nearly blind. To assist him, she tapes off the areas based on the design or picture he wants to replicate and helps him look closely to see what colors, shapes, etc. he will be painting. Sue proudly showed me one of his works and it was a beautiful still life with fruit on a table closely resembling the picture he had selected. Sometimes students need an inspiration to launch a project. To help with this process, both instructors maintain extensive libraries of reference materials available for students to draw ideas from. Sue has a vARTIST continued on page 15 YOUR SPECIAL OCCASION IS OUR SPECIALTY Creative And Delicious Catering For Every Occasion And Every Budget 2100 Broadway, Yankton Steve Aldrich Hy-Vee Kitchen Manager/Catering Coordinator Kitchen & Catering 665-3412 www.hy-vee.com HERVOICEvJULY/AUGUST 2019v7