It is my hope that students will relate to each other through their art and realize that even though we are each unique, being different is ok, in fact being different is awesome! Students will learn to encourage each other through the struggles of the tween/teen years while growing as individuals. They will learn to express their feelings through line and color as well as other art techniques depending on the week attended. 

Art is an important part of the educational process. It allows students to explore their creativity, take risks, and express themselves without fear of judgment. It is a safe place to fail and try again. Art is a vital tool for helping students find their own voices and develop as individuals.

Studio CIA (Niki McNeil) provides Creativity, Imagination and Art Classes for School Aged Kids. We have a passion for keeping kids creative, happy and healthy through the arts. In my drawing, painting, and art classes you we focus on creating art, not recreating my art.  Kids thrive in this type of environment as all other school subjects and much of life is about doing things in just such a way, leaving little opportunity for self-connection or self-expression. At Studio CIA Kids embrace their inner artist through imaginative exploration.

As an artist and teacher to kids I practice something called “non-violent communication” NVC is a style of communication that inspires compassion for oneself and other people. As artists, we are often our own worst critics, judging ourselves harshly and feeling like our art isn’t good enough to share. NVC helps us to remember that everyone has value and worth, including ourselves!

This style of communication helps silence our inner critic as well as giving us a better ability to be empathetic and encouraging to others. I strive to use NVC when giving students feedback as it helps students gain confidence while also hitting home that art is about the process just as much as it is about the product. This means I avoid feedback such as right or wrong, good or bad and focus more on how the student feels about their art, and then offering suggestions to see what resonates with them. This gives students a sense of pride and confidence in following their gut to create a piece they are proud of. 

My classroom is a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment for ALL students. I want students to feel safe opening up through their art and never fear judgment or criticism. Students are encouraged but never forced, no mater if it’s sharing their work, introducing themselves, or keeping their screens on. I believe each student will blossom in their own time and my classroom gives them space and time to do so at their own rate. I strive to cultivate a community of kindness for ALL my students!

Art brings together generations. It connects me to my students and to nameless others with whom I share a same life experience. It connects my students with their schoolmates, teachers and developing selves. Art makes us all younger and inclusive. It helps us to honor our differences and find our common humanity.

Hope to create with your student soon!

Homework Offered
If a student does not finish their project in class they will need to finish it outside of class. Each project should be posted within the classroom (if the student is comfortable sharing) and students are asked to choose one students work each week that spoke to them and leave at least a one sentence comment of encouragement for the creator. 
Assessments Offered
Participation and completion of the project are used to assess the students learning and growth. No letter grades are assigned in this class. 
Grades Offered