Tag: UW-Milwaukee

A Student Teacher’s Reflection

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Mackenzie Ellefson

Student teacher Ms. Ellefson and cooperating teacher Mr. Juárez

As I wrap up my time at this high school placement, it’s hard to believe how much I’ve grown since I first stepped into the art classroom. When I began, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves, eager to connect with students and share my passion but uncertain about the best ways to bring out their creativity and confidence. Now, after weeks of planning, teaching, and learning from my students and colleagues, I can genuinely say I’ve come into my own as a teacher.

One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed in myself is my confidence in the classroom. At the start, I was so focused on following my lesson plans to the letter, afraid of deviating too much in case I lost control of the room or didn’t cover everything. But as the weeks passed, I learned to trust my instincts and adapt to my students’ needs on the fly. I became comfortable with the ebb and flow of each class, recognizing when to let them experiment freely and when to step in with guidance. This flexibility allowed me to connect with my students on a deeper level and encourage their individual artistic voices. I’m so grateful for this shift because it’s made teaching feel more like a collaboration than a one-way street.

Another highlight has been the incredible support and warmth from the staff. The teachers here have been so welcoming, always willing to offer advice, share resources, or just listen when I needed to talk through a lesson. Their kindness has not only made my transition smoother but has also shown me the power of a supportive teaching community. It’s reassuring to know that there are people who genuinely want to see me succeed and have taken the time to help me grow. I was lucky enough to work with a co-operating teacher that gave me the space to experiment with my teaching style and be very supportive and thorough in his feedback and suggestions. I also was right next door to another outstanding art teacher, who was always ready to give me a boost when I needed it. Their advice, stories, and comraderie has made this experience that much more impactful to me.

And, of course, I’ve made so many fun memories with the students! From their creative ideas to the unexpected classroom jokes, these moments have brought so much joy to my experience. Watching students discover new techniques or see them light up when their artwork turns out better than they expected has been beyond rewarding. The laughter and energy in our classroom are something I’ll carry with me as I move forward in my teaching career.

Leaving this placement is bittersweet. I’m excited about what comes next, but I’ll miss the students, the staff, and the daily rhythm we’ve built together. This experience has taught me the value of patience, adaptability, and kindness, and I know these lessons will shape me as a teacher for years to come.

I wish Sheboygan North a great rest of their school year, and thank you again for having me!

Ms. Ellefson

(FA 2024)

Virtual Artist Talks with Karly Kainz, Class of 2015

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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, artist Karly Kainz (class of 2015) talks about how her interest in art has led her to pursue a MFA degree, using art as a vehicle for personal reflection and self-discovery, and realizing that happiness is important in pursuing a career.

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

Beginning a new journey at New Mexico State University, Karly’s practice is currently in state of flux, entangled in a developmental and experimental phase as she begins a new body of work. After creating work for years centered around the climate crisis, her attention has been pulled in many different directions in response to the state of this past year. Looking at the global isolation indoors, she was forced to evaluate her space and the objects held within it. Her work is a conversation of the meaning held within objects and the ways in which material can alter that reality. Through the use of abundant materials, her work portrays a nonsensical reality of objects through altered perspective, scale, pattern and form. These works hope to further understand the psychology of how we interact with objects and the sentiment we hold them to.

Karly Jean Kainz is an interdisciplinary artist from Wisconsin who focuses on the materiality of object making. She recently received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with an emphasis in Print & Narrative Forms from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2019. Since 2016, she has exhibited in several Milwaukee based group shows. Additionally, her work is included in multiple collections at UWM and in the Milwaukee area. Her work within the university has led to outside positions like working as a printmaker and graphic designer at the Theaster Gates Studio in Chicago, IL preparing for shows like the world-wide recognized Chicago Architectural Biennial in 2019 and designing for community spaces. Currently residing in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Kainz in studying to receive her Masters in Fine Art at New Mexico State University.

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

2020-2021 VIRTUAL ARTIST LECTURE SERIES WITH ARTIST KATIE LEMIEUX

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The Sheboygan North High Artist Lecture Series (est. 2010) is an in-school program at Sheboygan North High School. We invite local and regional visual artists to share their journey as artists with the beginning, intermediate, and advanced art classes. Visiting artists present and introduce art students to such as but not limited to: how to present a portfolio, share a body of work, facilitate an art demonstration, or talk about about their artistic journey. This provides our students the opportunity to interact with the artists. 

Due to COVID-19 we will be offering our artist lecture series as virtual artist talks for this 2020-2021 school year. 

The 2020-2021 Sheboygan North High Virtual Artist Lecture Series is supported by a grant from the Kohler Foundation, Inc. This artist talk series is in collaboration with Artdose Magazine.

Recorded 02/17/2021

In this episode, Canadian-based artist Katie Lemieux talks about her love for large-scale ceramic works, communicating through the use of texture, embracing the business side of art, and being a full-time artist after graduating from the MFA program from UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts in 2019. 

“Through my sculptural and illustrative practice, I explore visual cues of non-verbal communication and expression. I look to lure the viewer into replicating expressions or postures before them, signaling an empathetic response. I work to create an atmosphere that demands a social code switch, an altering of social behavior. In regards to materiality, the rawness of the ceramic medium allows me to reflect on the fundamentality of the process. Illustration gives me the opportunity to explore rich and complex textures in a two dimensional space, recreating depth through tonal value and shadow. The elemental qualities of clay and charcoal I find physically relevant to our own existence. Our flesh is manipulated into folds and creases as we bend and stretch. Clay has the capacity to recreate the more subtle and romantic aspects of our bodies, and empathy can be experienced through familiar, tactile traits and imagery. This is what drives my artistic practice. ” – 2020 

Katie Lemieux was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After receiving her HBFA at Lakehead University in Fine Art, Katie completed her Masters Degree in ceramic sculpture at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA. Her sculptures and production works encompass a variety of techniques including Mishima, Sgraffito and relief carving. She has showcased internationally in Canada, South Korea, Europe, China and USA, and has participated in residencies including Jingdezhen, Sanbao, China and a Virtual Residency in Busan, South Korea.

In addition to her art practice, Katie operates as a support worker for youth and adults with disabilities. This profession plays an integral part in her social research and art practice, as she is continually navigating non-verbal communication, social interactions and body language.  Currently Katie continues her exhibition work in her home studio and enjoys experimenting with elements of the figure, abstracted iterations of emotion and pursuing her research of communicative capacities within humans.

Artist website: www.studiolemieux.com