Portrait drawing can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. In this session, art educators will learn simple, classroom-tested strategies for teaching facial proportions, observation skills, and realistic portraiture with confidence. Participants will leave with practical techniques, lessons, and resources that help students achieve success at all skill levels.
Discover how collaborative art projects can unite students across grade levels, strengthen school culture, and leave a lasting impact on both campus and community. This session will highlight creative strategies for designing and implementing large-scale collaborations, including everything from vertical round-robin projects where elementary/middle/high school students each contribute to a shared artwork to grade-band legacy projects that result in permanent installations celebrating student voice and school identity. Participants will explore planning tips, management strategies, and adaptable project ideas that foster connection, creativity, and ownership at every level.
ArtEffect is a movement initiated by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. Through the Unsung Hero Project, students learn about individuals who had a significant impact on society, but haven't been acknowledged in history. Through art integration, students are able to explore the lives and contributions of these role models and bring their inspiring stories to light. Attendees will learn how to implement an ArtEffect unit in their classrooms and communities. Resources provided include lesson plans, group and individual activities for students, community outreach examples, and the Unsung Hero Directory.
Once you've done traditional block printing, what do you do with the blocks? We'll play with leftover blocks to create collages, bookmarks, monoprints and more. This is a great way to reuse materials and could even work well for fundraising!
In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore creativity, problem-solving, and artistic risk-taking through a simple yet engaging sketchbook activity called "Dot, Dot, Make A Lot." Using a paper filled with dots, participants will create original artwork by choosing to connect, transform, incorporate, or intentionally avoid the dots as part of their design. This open-ended activity encourages creative thinking, personal expression, and the discovery of how simple starting points can lead to limitless artistic possibilities.
Fear is one of the most powerful forces working against creative growth — and art teachers are not immune. In this workshop, you will explore the nature of creative fear and walk away with a personal action plan for doing the one scary creative thing you’ve been putting off. Through honest conversation, practical frameworks, and a hands-on activity, you’ll leave with tools you can use yourself and bring straight back to your students. Participants: Please bring a journal or paper, a pen or pencil, and any art supplies that feel personal to your practice. A handout will be provided by the presenter.
Go beyond the classroom walls and discover how murals can transform school spaces into vibrant, student-centered learning environments. This session will share real-world experiences and practical strategies for creating impactful school murals, advocating for compensation for mural projects completed outside of contract time, and involving students in meaningful collaborative artwork. Learn how murals can strengthen school culture, celebrate community, and leave a lasting visual legacy that enriches the educational experience for all.
Using pamphlet and accordion books as starting points, participants will create simple sketchbooks and then alter them to expand creative journaling and sketchbook practices. This is great for all studio classes, especially for the AP portfolio, but can also be adapted for younger grades.
Did you ever want to make a handmade journal , but thought it was too complicated? In this hands on workshop, you will make a one of a kind journal, perfect for collage, painting, or other imaginative embellishments. What better way to make your mark than with your own book!! All material will be supplied.
