The Lab Schools of Washington

Please visit the website for the Lab Schools of Washington. In the spring of 2008 I was privileged to receive an award as an art educator and witnessed first hand “The Power of Art” to reach and transform lives through arts education. I was delighted to meet Chris Rauschenberg and to visit this magnificent, magical campus designed where all students can learn successfully. The faculty, parents, students and administrators were amazing – - and thank goodness for the gifts of Sally and Bob and for their ongoing legacy of teaching and learning through the arts! –Patty Edwards
This comes from the web.. “About Sally Smith (1929-2007)
Sally L. Smith founded and designed The Lab School of Washington in 1967 for intelligent children and adults with learning disabilities. She was also a Professor in the School of Education at American University in charge of the Master’s Degree Program in Special Education: Learning Disabilities. It was Professor Smith’s belief that everyone can learn, and she designed Lab School teaching approaches involving all the art forms and experiential education to teach academic skills to children and adults. She developed the Academic Club Method, a highly scholastic academic vehicle that teaches history, geography, civics or any subject through the arts, which has been overwhelmingly successful with Lab School students since its inception. It builds storehouses of knowledge, vocabulary, fluency of language, and critical thinking in poor readers and non-readers, which good readers develop from prolific reading.

Professor Smith was a national leader in the field of learning disabilities. In April 2001, American University gave her a medal for twenty-five years of outstanding service. In November 1999, she was recognized as a Principal of Excellence and presented with the Distinguished Educational Leadership Award by The Washington Post.”

ODU Art Education Student Teachers spring 2009.

Congratulations Art Education Student Teachers 2009!
Richard Nickel, April Taylor-Martin and Patty Edwards are proud to present:
(drum roll….) ODU Art Education Student Teachers 2009 with visiting artist Gracie.

student teachers: left to right- Erica-Joy Lannon, Ian Jewell, Rachel Rodgers, Nicole Piland, Lauren Futrell, Emily Hampton, Kelly Hover, Kristen DeLizzio, Beryl Perlin and Carrie Spencer.
missing from this photograph: Lauren Coppedge

Community Teaching & Studio Methods: Boys & Girls Club spring 2009

This semester, as part of the studio coursework, ODU Art Education Students taught lessons to young learners and planned/designed art murals as part of their studio practice. Students enrolled at the VBHEC ARTE 305 course worked in the community at the Boys & Girls Club at Rosemont. Students put into practices the concept of “perspective” and gained new skills in painting. The goal of “transforming” a community space was met and now teens will enter a safe place designed especially for them!

Art Education Classes Spring 2009

Gina Saenz works with a young learner at the Chrysler Museum of Art. ODU students enrolled in the ARTE 305 course designed art lessons based on the permanent collection at the Chrysler Museum of Art. The lessons were developed collaboratively through research and ODU students engaged young learners in looking and responding to works of art. ODU students applied methods for teaching using meaningful dialogues both in the art galleries and in the workshop areas.

Art Education Classes held at the Chrysler Museum of Art

Students prepared lessons for fall classes held at the Chrysler Museum of Art as part of their course research. Students enrolled in the ODU ARTE 305 class designed curriculum based on the big idea – - scapes. The lessons drew from gallery connections. Young students created meaning through sketchbook, dialogue and studio workshop. Photo (above): Jamie Mahoney successfully teaching in the gallery using “higher thinking” questions. (above right) Kelley Anderson (left) and Charlotte Moore (right) planning for instruction based on African Masks.

ARTH 121 Students explore Mutambo Exhibition

ARTH121 students ventured beyond the classroom walls to visit a special event hosted at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Students conducted on-site research of the many Shona stone sculptures on display. Mutambo means “celebration”. Students explored the garden exhibition of work from Zimbabwe.
A satellite display is on exhibit this fall at the VBHEC.

July 2008 Visiting Art Educator: Meet Peggy Powers

Students enrolled in the Elementary Art Education ARTS305 course explored methods of collage with visiting artist Peggy Powers! Students enjoyed the concept of nature and linked art making to the science curriculum (SOLs). Art Education methods were based on the work of distinguished illustrator Eric Carle. Studio methods were then applied during the service-learning project held at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia.

Recent News….

My visit to the Lab School of Washington was amazing. Founded by Sally Smith, in 1967, the Lab School demonstrates daily, the Power of Art to teach all of our students; especially students with learning disabilities. This image is me with visiting artist Christopher Rauschenberg.

The artwork fountain was designed by the students at the Lab School.

Patty Edwards has recently been selected to participate in the “Power of Art” workshop hosted by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. Edwards will join fellow arts educators at the Lab School in Washington DC. May 2008.

Art Education Service Learning Project: Youth Art Month 2008

This spring semester 2008, Art Education Students enrolled in the ARTS305 course at the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center; completed a service-learning project.

Artwork on display at the Rosemont Youth Library in Virginia Beach thanks to the Friends of Virginia Beach Library and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia.

Through an initiative with our partners-in-education; the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia and the Rosemont Youth Library, ARTS305 students gained the opportunity to design and implement art education lessons which students taught during Youth Art Month. Visiting young artists were able to create meaning through art making. Student artwork was based on the concept of “Place”. The art lessons included links to literacy and SOLs using art materials of paper collage, origami and painting.

This special project was supported by the Friends of the Virginia Beach Library.
The mural paintings are currently on display at the Rosemont Youth Library at located at 1503 Competitor Court in Virginia Beach.