Marla Snyder
"Art Education/Then and Now"
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| (Photos by Patrick Fraser) |
Learning the Art Curriculum in 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s
Teaching the ART CURRICULUM in 1990’s, 2000, 2010+
Art Education has changed dramatically over the last few decades. There are always some constants, but the relatively recent technology changes have reinvented history.
I grew up loving to draw the Jetsons (cartoon) family. In grade school I sat quietlywith my hands folded as the “art mom” talked about Renoir. High school art class was a wonderful expressive experience. I enjoyed trying all the different art mediums and learning about the classic artists. Because drawing wasn’t a strength, I decided my college major would be graphic design.
I loved the corporate design world in the 80’s, but as computers took over,I became frustrated with trying to keep up and loosing face-to-face contact withmy clients. Teaching seemed to offer a solution, so I decided to get my Masters and concentrate on Art History. I found a job teaching high school art that allowed me to sprinkle in a little art history.
My students were interested in drawing SOUTH PARK characters and thinking like Steve Jobs. They thought Picasso was a sculpture in downtown Chicago.Nobody sat quietly at their “learning space.” My students said if they wantedto know about art history they would just google it.
I have slowly made a quiet peace with the on line world by blendingmy art and teaching with all the new technology tools. I am now addicted to Spoonflower and Zazzle.
If you don’t know what they are…just google them.