Photo Credits: Hasain Rasheed Photography
So one day an engineer walks into an art gallery...and stays. About 9 years ago, I was invited to join the Art Committee of my employer, who is largely known as an engineering organization. To my surprise and delight, I would spend the next 9 years engaging with the community while curating exhibitions for local and emerging artists. I am now both the Chair of the Art Committee and the engineer that still finds satisfaction in programming Excel spreadsheets.
The reality is that when artists and scientist share a space, innovation is born. One year ago, I met amazing artist and kindred spirit, Jamie Treacy. Jamie is an art teacher at Skyline High School in Oakland. We met during an Oakland Creative Neighborhoods Coalition meeting at Betti Ono Gallery . After only a brief conversation during a breakout session, we realized that we shared a common goal and that goal was to build tangible, integrated curriculum in the arts and sciences. Jamie and I continued our dialogue over the following year and together organized a group of like-minded educators from various art and science disciplines and from all around the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to participate in Art Is Luv's first Building STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) Workshop. I developed this workshop with one goal in-mind, to demonstrate how using creative tools can help build enthusiasm in the classroom when introducing analytical concepts. The workshop included discussion on topics ranging from the importance of getting to know your students to how teaching with purpose can help students understand their roles as future innovators. The workshop also included interactive exercises that demonstrated how art and science are at the core of every learning experience and far less abstract than most individuals think.
All things considered, I believe the world is a better place when art and science converge. It is this very union that fuels a deeper understanding of the world around. Building STEAM is one of the many ways that I hope to foster this exchange. Special thanks to Jamie Treacy and the Skyline High School Performing Arts Academy for being the first of many! Next stop...Building Curriculum!
Please send me a note if you are interested in learning more about the Building STEAM Workshop series.
Sincerely,
Me