ART preK/K/1 & Middle School: World Art & Fiber Arts
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." -Pablo Picasso
I teach ART to preK, Kindergarten, and 1st graders and also teach middle school art elective classes of World Art and Fiber Arts. This is my sixth year at Independence Academy and I feel very blessed to be here. I was the Artist in Residence at Wingate Elementary School for 5 years prior to coming to IACS (K-5th).
I am originally from Pennsylvania but have lived in Colorado since 2001 (Denver, Craig, Durango, GJ). I have two kids-Grant now at CU this year and Paige is a junior at FMHS. I love sewing, jewelry making, reading, traveling, hiking, biking, lifting/exercising and cooking. My love for traveling started when I studied abroad in Sydney, Australia in college. It was my first time on a plane!!!! I was hooked. Since then I have visited Fiji, Jamaica, Mexico, China,France, Italy, Spain and Japan. I also lead EF trips at IACS every other year, with my last to JAPAN in March 2024. I've designed World Art to introduce kids to the cultures, artists, food, architecture, traditions in other countries, as well as in America THIS YEAR!
WORLD ART- Students will learn how varied and unique the different states are and what makes us all so special! American artists may include Alma Thomas, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Georgia O'Keeffe, Mark Rothko, Kehinde Wiley, Basquiat, and Mary Blair. We will also learn about regional art such as the Pacific NW Coast art, SW Navajo sandpainting, and Western art. We will learn about regional foods and famous landmarks that make the US so unique and fascinating. A focus will be on exploring different art techniques and art materials!
FIBER ARTS- In this hands-on art class, we will learn about the exciting world of fiber art! Fiber and textile processes may include: embroidery, sewing, felting, string art, weaving, fabric dyeing, basket weaving (using recycled materials), plastic canvas art, macramé wall hanging and crayon batik. We will study the importance of textiles in various cultures and be inspired by contemporary fiber artists around the world. We will create a felted and embroidered creature from an IACS kindergartener’s drawing and give it to them when finished. A daily warm up of visual journaling is a calming and focused way to get into our art space. Prior fiber arts students are encouraged to push themselves in this class and will have more freedom in their projects, in order to build on their skills. Sewing machines are available for ambitious students!
My goal is to help kids find their creativity and use it to express themselves. I introduce many new art materials and give my students choice in materials as often as possible. I do a variety of project types, from guided drawing with the younger artists (to build confidence, teach them to follow directions) to open ended projects. I find this balance to be beneficial in building creative and confident artists.
I love this job and feel blessed to teach art to incredible kids each day! Ellen Balzer
