Your teachers aren’t only speaking in front of the classroom, they’re speaking on canvas.
The Art of Education Faculty/Staff Show will open today at the Euphrat Museum of Art, showcasing artwork by De Anza and Foothill art department instructors.
An opening reception on Wednesday, Oct. 24, will feature live music by De Anza student musicians and a silent auction of small, affordable artwork by the faculty and staff in support of the Euphrat Museum.
Diana Argabrite, director of the Euphrat Arts and Schools Program, said she is thrilled to showcase the art that doesn’t show itself often.
“You know the teachers as instructors, not as studio artists,” Argabrite said.
The reception will include open dialogue to address pertinent conversations the artists’ hope will arise, and a small series of artist talks, expanding on the artist statements and teaching philosophy statements each artist submitted with their work.
De Anza visual arts instructor Eugene Rodriguez said the purpose of his exhibition is to get a conversation going with students about preparedness in keeping up with the changing face of the art business.
“Is the training of the 20th century adequate and is the business of the 21st century eclipsing the training of what is necessary to be a successful artist these days?” he said, raising the question of balancing technique, business and technology-based classes to better prepare students for a changing market.
Harriete Estel Berman, a visiting artist, will showcase and create dialogue around her installation piece, a sculpture 28 feet wide and 15 feet tall made of approximately 12,000 No. 2 pencils forming a giant bell curve.
“It should raise awareness on the effects of standardized testing,” said Argabrite, “These tests have students doing a lot of memorization just to get by-critical thinking is neglected because there probably isn’t time for it.”
With the presidential election on the horizon, Rodriguez hopes the art show will stir conversation about budget cuts potentially affecting art programs. He asks everyone to reconsider the role the arts have in their everyday lives.
“Look at everything you touch-the clothes you put on, the car you drive, your coffee cup, your computer screen–somebody had to sculpt it, mold it, color it,” said Rodriguez.
Recognizing the direct impact the Nov. 6 election could have on De Anza art programs, Rodriguez stressed his opinion that everyone should have an equal opportunity to access art.
“If we’re going to go down that road that only those with a lot of money are going to be artists, that is undemocratic–it’s undemocratic!”
PENCIL BELL CURVE – An installation made out of No.2 pencils quietly mocks the idea behind standardized testing. (Photo courtesy of Dorothy Holford)
