CELEBRATING OUR TEACHERS
This month we’re highlighting a few of our amazing Silverton Arts Association teachers! But before we do, let’s touch base on what’s happening at the Art Center!
Senior center groups continue to make use of our space as their building is repaired.
Classes and workshops are ongoing through the winter — see below for details
New board members are coming on to serve our mission (hooray!)
Grant applications are going out to our regional partners to help us make stronger programs, support staff, and help with our continued renewal of the Art Center property.
Committees have stepped up to help pilot our Summer Art Camp and our beloved school art gallery shows in April and May!
Now, on to our teachers:
As you may know, we send art instructors out into the Silver Falls School District every school year to provide arts education. We’re proud to make high quality art classes available to our district schools. This isn’t just a vital part of our mission — for many kids in our public schools, it’s the only arts instruction they receive!
Our teachers work with school staff to fit one-hour art sessions into their normal classroom schedule. In 2021-2022, we served over 900 students! We’re incredibly grateful for the efforts of our teachers, Angela McGraw and John Friedrick, who manage art supplies and lesson plans and travel to schools like Scotts Mills, Community Roots, Victor Point, and others.
ABOUT OUR TEACHERS
Angela McGraw
Angela McGraw brings a wealth of experience in arts education and a passion to incorporate art history into her education sessions - from Picasso to children's author and illustrator, Eric Carle!
Previous to moving to Silverton, Angela was a full time elementary school teacher. After working as an art teacher at our local Evergreen Elementary, she took time off to raise her children, then joined the Silverton Arts Association team to bring art experiences to the students throughout the district.
Kids in her classes produce wonderful art creations with her guidance and encouragement. Many of these are part of the district’s spring art show every year, and also adorn hallways and classrooms throughout the district.
"My goal is to give every student the opportunity to create something they are proud of. Maybe even something they were surprised to be able to produce! I consider it my job to help them discover their talent and encourage them to explore visual art in the future!"
John Friedrick
John’s art practice focuses on inner and outer landscapes, contemplative spirituality, our relationship and responsibility to the earth, and the importance of accessibility in both spirituality and art. He relies on observation, reflection, and humor in exploring these topics through plein air paintings and drawings, journal comics, songs, and whatever other medium he happens to be exploring at the moment.
John has helped organize community art events in Silverton since 2012 and currently volunteers as an artist in residence at the Borland Community Art Space with the Silverton Art Association. He performs folk songs as Friendmaker.
Funding for this program is provided by the Mary Duby Heindrich Trust through Oregon Community Foundation.
More Arts Opportunities
Looking for art classes for yourself, or maybe the creative kid in your life? Check our current offerings at the Art Center! These include Mixed Media Collage, Abstracted Landscape in Acrylic, and more. For kids, we have Drawing with Hollie and a multi-day Spring Break Art Camp — and watch this space for news about Summer Art Camp signups!
And don’t forget that Arts Association members receive a 15% discount on all programming. Sign up here.
Thanks for your participation in the life of our creative community — we look forward to seeing you at the Silverton Art Center.