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!