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Acalanes art students enjoy help from artists

By Sandy Mouat
CORRESPONDENT

The Artists in Residence program at Acalanes High School, sponsored by the Lafayette Arts & Sciences Foundation, has provided visiting artists in various fields, including visual art, choral and instrumental music, architectural design, and computer animation and special effects.
          The program is designed to enhance the curriculum already being taught.  During the first three weeks of Karen Carbone’s ART 1 class at Acalanes High School, the students are taken through the steps of a program based on the book, "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain", by Betty Edwards. This method of introduction helps them to see their subjects with new perception of edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadow, and of the whole. It is obviously a very freeing, and empowering exercise, because without a bit of hesitation or trepidation, as soon as the model is seated, the students boldly dive into their work.  Using various media and methods learned since the first day of class, each creates a unique representation of the subject. 
           Carbone has been teaching this method for eleven years at Acalanes.The second year that she was at Acalanes, she requested that LASF fund the visit of one of her art teachers, Sherry Kwint-Cattoche. She wanted Cattoche to spend a couple of days doing portraits in pastel with her advanced class. The program evolved from that and LASF provided more funds each year. This allowed her to increase the time the artists spent in her class.
           This was the first visit to Acalanes for artist Jody Mattison German, who handled the students and their work with respect and consideration, a skill that demonstrates her many years of experience as a renowned artist and college level instructor, as well as years raising her own children, running a day care center, and teaching enrichment courses in elementary school.
          Her art has been included in many Bay Area exhibitions as well as the Summer in Tuscany Group Exhibition, Castello Montefugone, Montespertoli, Italy.  Recognition of her work includes several awards and publication in International Artist Magazine and The Walnut Creek Journal. She is an instructor at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, as well as an instructor and the Exhibitions coordinator for the Walnut Creek Civic Arts Education program.  Her work is part of several private collections, and can be seen at her studio in Benicia, as well as at her website, www.jodymattison.com.
          Said Carbone, "Since I am the only 2 D art teacher at Acalanes, I felt it was important for the students to get a different perspective from mine. Figure drawing is crucial in portfolio presentation & having a teacher who specifically teaches that on the college level is a valuable experience for my students."
          Mattison-German commented, "I basically used the information I teach adults and broke it down into small sections. We had only two weeks, less than an hour per class per day; so I had to keep the demo/info simple so the kids could focus on drawing. I then would help each one individually as much as I could, giving them extra information as their skills and interest dictated."
          The students are very enthusiastic about the visiting artist, as well as about Carbone’s methods, in general.
          Senior Lily Mahl said, "I took this class because I enjoy art. I had my art requirement filled in my freshman year with drama, and then woodshop, so I do this for fun.  Art has been a very rewarding experience this year.  We’ve had a lot of opportunities to explore our creative side and develop our artistic abilities.  Using the right side of the brain has been a very valuable exercise."
          Nicole Stern said, "This class has been a very good experience, right from the start.  The visiting artist has been very supportive and helpful. Giving us a specific assignment, with a live model, forces us to use the skills we have acquired here."
          Students had the opportunity to draw both male and female professional artist models, from various age groups.
          Gina Sulprizio said that she was surprised on the first day (of this class segment), "when the first thing I saw was a little old man in white boxers, sitting up there! This live model project has taught me to draw the human body accurately."
          When asked what he thought of the class, Sean McClure said, "It’s been really interesting and lots of fun to draw the models. It’s been a good experience."
          Student Theo Saribay said, "It’s not often we get an opportunity like this, (it’s really once in a lifetime,) to work with a live model.  We’re doing something really interesting and enjoyable that really enhances our Art 1 curriculum."
          Melanie Deichler gave her perspective on taking Art classes. "You can really relax in this class and just create.  You can’t do that in other classes. In here, you feel free from the regular school pressures."
          Continued Carbone, "In the spring Christine Messer (a professional water color artist & college teacher) teaches water color techniques to Art 2 & 3. The artists stay 1-2 weeks. I find that the students' work improves dramatically if they have more time to focus on the experience."

02/19/03 Reprinted with permission. Visit the Contra Costa Times on the web at www.contracostatimes.com.

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