Category: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Through Our Eyes Exhibition at Sheboygan North High School

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Eight advanced art students from Drawing/Painting 2, 3D Design, and Portfolio 2 were selected to participate in a 9-week collaborative student art exhibition centered on Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, Social Emotional Learning, and Belonging as part of an action research project. At the start of quarter 4 Mr. Juárez provided them with enough content to kickstart the brainstorming session. This resulted in weekly meetings at the start of the class period to go over project ideas, questions, and peer feedback. As a collective, it was decided to create up to three pieces addressing the aforementioned topics.

They were introduced to a variety of logistics involved in the organization of an art exhibition. Items discussed were curation, curator, intent, thematic, body of work, sight line, and image list. In addition, designing promotional materials such as an exhibition poster and brochure. Throughout the allotted timeframe, Mr. Juárez scheduled 1-to-1 conversations to check-in on their progress, answer questions and/or address concerns. Two weeks prior to the installation of “Through Our Eyes” Exhibition, they participated in a series of audio interviews that delve a bit deeper into this project, their creative process, and artwork.

Objective(s)

  • To design a themed exhibition centered on Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion and Social Emotional Learning.
  • To express themselves, their thoughts, curiosities, and emotions through their art and ideas.
  • To give students ownership and agency of their own learning, exploration, and investigation. 

Goals(s)

  • Activate the art room as a place of belonging.
  • Encourage ongoing communication between students.

National Visual Arts Standards

Responding – Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.

  • Performance Standard- VA:Re.7.2.IIIa | Analyze how responses to art develop over time based on  knowledge of and experience with art and life. 

Presenting – Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work.

  • Performance Standard- VA:Pr4.1.IIIa | Critique, justify, and present choices in the process of  analyzing, selecting, curating, and presenting artwork for a specific exhibit or event. 

Connecting – Anchor Standard 11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.

  • Performance Standard– VA:Cn11.1.IIIa | Appraise the impact of an artist or a group of artists on the beliefs, values, and behaviors of a society. 

Responding – Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.

  • Performance Standard– VA:Re.7.1.IIIa | Analyze how responses to art develop over time based on knowledge of and experience with art and life. 

About the action research project

Mr. Juárez is part of a national virtual professional learning community (PLC) group, Connected Arts Network (CAN). He is one of 17 national teacher leaders focusing on creating curriculum and programming that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive as well as focusing on social emotional learning to create a community that supports, uplifts, and empowers each other through art, identity, voice, and collaboration.

Weekly Meetings

Art students decided to meet on Wednesdays to check in, ask questions, problem-solve, etc. These weekly meetings provided the structure needed to finish within the allotted timeline.

Works in Progress

Documenting student work during the creating phase is important in personal reflection.

Installation

Students were introduced to the proper way to install art. This was a great opportunity to talk about curation, sight line, installation, and creating a dialogue between the artworks as a way of storytelling.

Reception

What better way to celebrate than to have a closing reception for “Through Our Eyes” Exhibition.

Artworks

Here is a collection of original artworks addressing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Social Emotional Learning, and Belonging through their perspective, curiosities, and ideas.

Belonging (2024) by Maya B.

This piece is 64 frames of animation, played at 8 frames per second. In order to prioritize my time, I had to make the drawings very simple, but with the black and white imagery it resulted in a fairly interesting outcome. To me, the animation conveys the journey of learning how to belong within your own skin.

Ranaya H-J
Ranaya H-J
Ranaya H-J
Olive L
Olive L
Olive L
Lilac L
Lilac L
Taylor S
Taylor S
Taylor S
Krystal L
Krystal L
Gabriella S
Gabriella S
Maya B
Maya B

In Conclusion

The intention behind this action research project was to provide art students with a platform to exercise agency over their learning to gain ownership, build camaraderie, and increase engagement. The goals are a) to encourage them to create a support system within the art room, b) to socialize as artists, and c) to provide them a space to take creative risks, experiment, and build empathy towards each other. Throughout this unit, friendships sparked as they shared common experiences that embraced their identity, perspective, and voice to communicate how they see the world in the form of a student-led exhibition.

The first step to create an authentic art experience is to let go of the control we, as art teachers, have over our art curriculum. The decision-making process should center on students’ voices. Students shared a common experience of reflecting, responding, and addressing what they felt was important to contribute to a better classroom culture.

Guiding art students through a complex system that exists in the gallery world in the form of an exhibition is one of the best ways to tackle significant timely issues and trends that are happening today in the art/education landscape. Students need a place of belonging within the art room and beyond. Creating original artworks that are relevant to their lives provided an avenue for conversations centered on equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and social-emotional learning.

Addressing difficult issues is a necessity in preparing them for life after graduation. These issues lay at the forefront of art education. How we address them will vary from one art educator to the next. Sometimes what we think is appropriate may not be the best solution. Involving art students into these conversations can provide a path to create something impactful that results in an increase in engagement, collaboration, and understanding. It provided them the freedom to express their identity, curiosities, and ideas by amplifying their voices. There are important interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that are taking place that are transferable to any field even if they do not go into the field of art.

Equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and social emotional learning have become pillars within my teaching practice. Nowadays, I think about these timely issues and trends as I design new curriculum. As an art teacher and artist, I want to equip my students with the necessary art and business of art skills possible to advocate for themselves and others. We all have our differences, which makes us unique. I want them to create the world that they want to live in. Their ideas matter. It is important to listen to what they have to say through the power of art.

Spring 2022 Iridescence Literary Magazine Now Available Online

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Iridescence Literary Magazine showcases art, photography, and creative writings submitted by 9-12 Sheboygan North High students. Take a look at the Spring 2022 issue and download your very own copy. Printed copies will become available in early June 2022. Pending delivery delays.

Iridescence Literary Magazine was founded and conceptualized in 2021 by Junior Grace Z.

Advisors: Mrs. Cavanaugh, Mr. Juárez, and Mr. McGoldrick.

Iridescence Literary Magazine is supported by a grant from the Kohler Foundation, Inc.

8 questions with Editor-in-Chief, Grace Z.

Mr. Juárez: What is Iridescence?

Grace Z: Iridescence is a yearly literary magazine produced entirely by North High students. Throughout the year, we collect submissions and select a diverse amount of writing and art to be placed in the magazine. 

MJ: What was the inspiration behind Iridescence Literary Magazine?

GZ: I was first inspired to start Iridescence after I saw another high school literary magazine in a school library. Seeing that it was all curated, created, and collected by students, it was truly inspiring to see a glimpse of the students’ creativity from that school. I wanted to bring that same opportunity for students at Sheboygan North High, which is what led me to founding the Iridescence Literary Magazine. 

MJ: How did you come up with the name of the magazine?

GZ: Iridescence is defined as: “showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.” This name resonated with me the most as I felt that in a metaphorical way, that represented the purpose of the Iridescence Literary Magazine– a publication that showcases the vibrant, creative aspects of Sheboygan North High School in a new light. 

MJ: What is the goal of the magazine?

GZ: The goal for the magazine is to provide a platform for students at Sheboygan North High School to showcase their work. Whether that be words or illustrations, we encourage students to get their work out there, become published creatives, and have their work seen throughout the community.

MJ: What long-term goals do you have for the magazine?

GZ: The Iridescence Literary Magazine aspires to foster an atmosphere of individual creativity. We intend to promote emerging strong, unique voices to represent the talented group of emerging writers in Sheboygan and elsewhere.

MJ: Have you encountered challenges during the process of putting it together?

GZ: The challenge with putting the magazine together was making sure that every detail was taken care of. From designing all of the pages, collecting submissions, to acquiring funding, the process of putting the magazine together took countless hours. However, even so, it was truly an incredibly exciting and rewarding process. To be able to have a final magazine with work from Sheboygan North High feels truly incredible, and I’m looking forward to putting together issue #3 next year as well.

MJ: What have you learned about yourself as the editor-in-chief?

GZ: Being editor-in-chief of the Iridescence Literary Magazine has taught me a lot. I’ve learned not only about the process of making such a magazine and having it being printed, but also many life lessons along the way. Time management, planning, and communication has been an integral part in Iridescence, and I hope to continue learning and improving as Iridescence’s editor-in-chief.

MJ: What advice would you give a fellow student in pursuit of a creative project?

GZ: My greatest advice would be to find a mentor. Whether that be a teacher, someone who works in that field, or a parent, finding someone who is preferably knowledgeable in your particular creative project is extremely helpful, as they can help guide you through the process. For Iridescence, my advisors and teachers are my mentors. I feel incredibly grateful to have all their support, as they have played a significant role in helping make the Iridescence Literary Magazine possible.

Get your downloadable PDF today!Download

Virtual Artist Talk with Erica Barringer, class of 2014

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New to 2021-2022, we will be creating a new series focused on North High Art Alumni and what they are doing as young creative professionals. This platform provides us the opportunity to talk about various topics relating to college and career readiness and to share it with our students.

In this episode, Erica Barringer (class of 2014) talks about how her creative work as an art director in Los Angeles, the importance of meeting deadlines, and engaging in personal projects to balance work and life.

“The type of art I do in graphic design is bold and graphic, where I really try to express ideas in a clever, fun and entertaining way. I use typography, iconography, and photography to create visual communication pieces and design systems. While craftsmanship is extremely important to me, I try hard to produce art that goes beyond “pretty”. My goal is to create pieces that are cinematic and memorable”

– Erica Barringer

Erica Barringer is a Los Angeles based art director who specializes in advertising and entertainment. She uses photoshop and illustrator to design and bring visual concepts to life. She’s created a variety of work from logos, brand identity, presentations, out of home placements, commercials, and products.

She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2017 with a BA in Advertising and Advertising Art Direction.

She’s worked on clients such as Barbie, Samsung, Google, Quibi, E!, as well has been a Webby Nominee (2020), Young Ones ADC merit winner (2017).

This video is edited by Artdose Magazine. In collaboration with the Sheboygan North High School Art Department.

This series is supported by a grant from the Kohler Foundation, Inc.

View past artist talks here

Art teachers impact others through best practices

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For Immediate Release

Sheboygan North High

Art Department

2926 N. 10th Street

Sheboygan, WI 53083

Contact Information

Frank Juarez, art department chair

fjuarez@sasd.net

Press Release

Sheboygan, Wisconsin – Local art teachers from the Sheboygan Area School District were selected from a pool of 120 art teachers from the state of Wisconsin to present at this year’s fall conference in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Art Education Association (WAEA) conference runs from October 17 – 18, 2019 at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.  This conference brings over 300+ art educators from across the state to learn new teaching strategies, opportunities for networking, present on topics that are making a difference inside their art rooms, and to rejuvenate the creative spirit. This Fall, four Sheboygan Area School District K-12 art teachers will be presenting. They are Michelle Jorgensen (Sheridan Elementary), Frank Juarez (Sheboygan North High), Brian Sommersberger (Sheboygan South High), and Mary Starnitcky (Pigeon Elementay).

Michelle Jorgensen and artist, Erica Huntzinger, will be presenting on “Art Therapy Techniques in the Classroom”. They will be sharing the art therapy techniques that Huntzinger brought to the elementary schools during her artist residency at Sheridan, Washington, Lincoln Erdman, Pigeon River, Etude Elementary and Jefferson last school year. 

Students working with artist Erica Huntzinger at Sheridan Elementary

Frank Juarez will be presenting on “Social Networking via Skype”. This presentation introduces an innovative way to connect art students with professional contemporary artists from across the globe. Skype is a great platform to engage students in critiques, Q & A, virtual tours of artists’ studios, building art community, and so on. 

Sheboygan North High art students Skyping with LA-based, collage artist, Jay Riggio

Brian Sommersberger will be co-presenting with local artist, Craig Grabhorn, on “Malibu of the Midwest” Surfboard Making”. This presentation will provide K-12 art teaches with a new perspective into the surf culture of Sheboygan and how it became known as the Midwest Surfing Capital! The presentation will feature the process of board making along with student and community experience. Cultural connections to the great lakes and the shores of Sheboygan will also be highlighted.

Artist Craig Grabhorn working with South High art students on making surfboards

Mary Starnitcky will be presenting on “How to connect with your little artists”. This session will take art educators to new ideas and a few hands-on art projects to make art classes maybe run a little smoother.

About WAEA

The mission of the Wisconsin Art Education Association is to promote excellence in visual art and design education for all students by providing professional growth opportunities for visual art and design teachers, showcasing student talents and abilities supporting art and design as academic core disciplines, communicating with other art and design organizations, and offering lifelong learning opportunities acting on vital art and design education issues.

For further information, please email Frank Juarez at fjuarez@sasd.net.

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End of the Year Celebration at Sheboygan North High Art Department

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We end the 2018-2019 school year with two amazing programs, The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and the Artist-in-residency Program (AiR).

The Sheboygan North High Art Department officially became a National Art Honor Society (NAHS) chapter. This is the first chapter of its kind in our North High history dedicated to the visual arts. 

Visual arts education is essential to 21st-century learning. As a new NAHS chapter we utilized the National Art Education Association (NAEA) to stay ahead of developments in the field of arts education by being introducing a broad perspective of research, issues, and policy trends that are key in art education. As a NAHS chapter we connected to thousands of chapters from around the globe who are passionate about the integral role of the visual arts in ensuring all students to receive a high-quality, effective, and well-rounded education. 

We believe that the National Art Honor Society will contribute to reaching our building goals. In addition, introducing students to a diverse art offering beyond the walls of North High will expand their minds, to participate in new art experiences, and to provide leadership opportunities, which will contribute to their personal and academic growth. Student success is very important to us and our professional goal is to assist them in their journeys.

The NAHS Chapter created three committees focused on fundraising, community outreach, and beautifying our school environment through art.

We created partnerships with the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and the MEAD Library.

Below is a collection of images that our students participated in as well as a video celebrating the completion of our “Be the Next Generation” Mural, an exit interview and artist talk with Craig Grabhorn, and poetry readings.

Gallery

Mural in progress

National Art Honor Society’s (NAHS) mural, “Be the Next Generation”, is a gift to North High School and its students. As you can see, it pictures the words, “be the next generation” underlying a sprouting seedling. Planning the mural, we wanted the sprout to symbolize everyone who feels lost or isolated while also standing for growth. Nature is an empowering force. No matter where, it finds a way. Even from the concrete, nature erects itself in masses of green foliage. A sproutling is small, inferior, and feeble. We could easily uproot it with our bare hands, but sproutlings grow. They persevere between the concrete and with time they rise to the sky and become towering trees. We are the trees, we can grow and become greater things. We have always persisted; from the very beginning when we were wild and instinctual, to now where we face the stresses of everyday life. We grow and adapt. We become today and the rising suns of tomorrow.        

The word “generation” is a major point of the mural. Each letter was painted by a different member of NAHS with what they perceived as “the next generation” or simply their thoughts on the phrase and their inspirations. By incorporating the “art” into the word “generation” we are literally proclaiming that what we, all of us, aspire for in the future will become the next generation. 

We want to encourage and inspire the generations of now to take a stand for both others and themselves, regardless of their skin color, their background, their gender, their sexual orientation, and etc. You don’t have to conform to the society of yesterday. Be who you want to be and who you need to be for the good of the world. – Sara Vang, grade 10

Artist-in-residency with Craig Grabhorn (Exit Interview)

Hear what he has to say about his experience at North High as a visiting artist.

Video: End of the Year Celebration at Sheboygan North High School

In this video we share with you the unveiling of “Be the Next Generation”, artist talk with Craig, and poetry readings by students & advisor (in response to Craig’s art).

Artist Lecture Series kicks off in October with artist, Cristian Andersson

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CRISTIAN ANDERSSON, ARTIST (APPLETON)

October 11, 2018

Period 6

Room 221

(not open to the public)

click image to enlarge

BIO

Cristian Andersson is an artist working in Appleton, Wisconsin. While much of his work tends towards abstract painting, he believes that the medium must fit the message and will experiment with installation and performance based mechanisms to craft what is necessary to deliver his thoughts to the audience. His years at Columbia College in Chicago studying painting and performance, and then later graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay with a number of photography and printmaking courses, allowed him the platform to begin his multi-disciplinary approach.

It is through this work that he wants the audience to assess the passage of time. Question our collective past, what is remembered and forgotten, and, ultimately, how we use our history to reconcile new opportunities afforded to us through modernity. With every sea-change  in our society, Andersson asks for us to consider what it does to our humanity.

SCRIPTORIUM STATEMENT

The contemporary nature of “breaking news” is that it is pervasive. It is invasive. It is an onslaught. And, it can be addictive.

Newspapers and network television have always been sources of insight, but now with the infiltration of the news into social media and alerts presented by mobile devices, I have become constantly aware of the next social or political concern that I “have to deal with.” Maybe you feel this also. Thankfully, there is the ability to lightly skim through social media. Multi-task while the television is on, and temporarily push the storylines into the background. And yet, it is hard to completely shut out.

This work asks what happens when I do the opposite of tuning out and instead completely submerse myself into the unpredictable current of my Twitter feed and news alerts. I ask myself what are the opinions, and what are facts? I question the mechanisms of deliverance. And then, ultimately, wonder how unpredictable any of this really is. This work is the product of six months of forced inundation, and it hopes to answer what the weight of all this information looks like, and possibly hints what the impact has been upon me – and perhaps you too.

Welcome to the “Scriptorium.”

Gallery

Images courtesy of the artist.

Introducing Kim Nugent, FA 2018 Artist in Residence

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We are thrilled to announce that Kim Nugent is our ninth artist in residence (AiR) at Sheboygan North High School. She is our Fall 2018 Air artist. 

The 2018-2019 Artist in Residency Program is supported by a grant from the Wisconsin Art Education Association and Kohler Foundation, Inc.

About Kim

Kim’s method of journaling often involves utilizing a picture as a starting point to spark an idea. She chooses photos that she both likes and surprisingly, dislikes. Her purpose is to develop ideas, explore techniques, and to push her creativity. Working this way jumpstarts her imagination, rendering a visual journal page that would have been hard to conceive using merely a blank sheet of paper. 

“Visual journaling has become something that I feel compelled to do. It helps me to be calm, centered and focused. Through visual journaling I express myself with or without words. In my journals: I experiment with different mediums and techniques; document important events or simple daily happenings; express my thoughts and feelings; draw, paint or collage. I have no rules. ” – Kim Nugent

GALLERY 

Images courtesy of the artist