Art Teachers Group Exhibition at The Elbow
Okay, so this may come as a complete shocker … but believe it or not folks, the teachers who your children spend their days with actually know a lot about the subjects that they teach! Most of them even practice the subjects they teach! And contrary to (un)popular belief, the ARTS are a very necessary, relevant, and beneficial subject in your child’s education. Mind blown yet?
Duval County happens to boast nearly 180 art teachers in our public schools. You have the chance to support and celebrate some of these hard-working art teachers on September 4th for Downtown Artwalk. Art is in everything. Without the arts, we would not have finished buildings or structured bridges, bowls to eat from or mugs to drink out of, clothing to wear or furniture to lounge on. Without the arts, there would be no father/ daughter wedding dance, no Friday evening performance tickets, no Saturday morning Riverside Arts Market excursions, no EU Jacksonville Newspaper articles! The arts are an avenue for personal expression and higher order intellectual stimulation. The arts are a means of human connection and understanding.
Now, don’t get me wrong, every subject taught in our schools is important and integral in building well rounded students. The arts just have an added element that other core classes simply can’t offer- the confidence and personal discovery that comes from the act of creating something.
Twelve DCPS art teachers will be showcasing their personal work in ‘Art Teachers are Artists’ at Spliff’s Gastropub and 1904 Music Hall located in the corner of Downtown locally known as The Elbow. The opening exhibition will take place on Wednesday, September 4th from 6pm until late-night. If you’ve never treated yourself to a Downtown Artwalk after party at Spliff’s, (you’ve been missing out) this is the perfect opportunity to get on board! In addition to outstanding artwork created by local educators, Spliff’s has the hippest outdoor courtyard covered in murals made by several local Jacksonville artists. DJ Mass Appeal always spins on the outside stage late into the night, and there is a wide selection of draft beers and the most magnificent macaroni menu options in town.
The group exhibition curated by the Elbow’s artist in residence Scotty Briggs, will feature the work of teachers: Jasmine Aldershoff, Kim Guzzone Collier, Debbie Canoura, Ashley Stokes, Katharine Parker, Kevin Kelly, Emily Cheek, Alisha Lewis, Maria Kanga-Jamba, Sarah Strauss, and Kimberly Carter. Come out and support local artists and edu-carers at this special event which I hope is the first of many!
Follow: @dcps_fine_arts @duvalschools @nefaea @floridaarted
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