Visual Arts

Our Visual Arts program is rooted in Lois Hetland’s “Eight Studio Habits” approach to teaching art. This approach encourages children to think like artists and to develop an artistic mind. Process, in this approach, is as important if not more important, than the end product.

The Eight Studio Habits are:

  1. Develop Craft: Proper use of and care for studio tools, materials and workspace

  2. Engage and Persist: Embrace problem-solving and develop focus

  3. Envision: Picture mentally what cannot be directly observed to plan projects

  4. Express: Create works that convey an idea, feeling or personal meaning

  5. Observe: Look more closely than usual, discover what otherwise might not be seen

  6. Reflect: Question, explain and evaluate artwork

  7. Stretch and Explore: Reach beyond one’s capacity; embrace play and mistakes

  8. Understand the Art World: Learn about art history and present art practice

IN THE CLASSROOM

Ms. Kitty has set up her art classroom into “studios,” including painting, dry construction, wet construction, technology, collage, clay and fashion. Students learn to “open” and “close” each studio, independently bringing out the materials and later putting them away. Our Pre-K students learn this practice as well, beginning with the painting studio and then applying this practice as each additional studio is introduced. This approach helps students gain a sense of ownership and autonomy as developing artists, internalizing the process of creating art on their own.

In the art classroom, students are taught a mini-lesson and then sent into the studios to work on their art. Projects fall under a variety of parameters, including “must-do” (assigned) projects, “showcase” projects (often displayed outside classrooms), and “bring home” projects. Students are also occasionally given the freedom to choose what type of project they will create.

To learn more about the work Ms. Kitty has done with Every Art, Every Child, a project in arts integration: http://everyarteverychild.org/foundation/whoweare.html

To learn about the experience in Ms. Kitty’s art classroom from a student teacher’s point of view: http://adventuresofanartist-teacher.blogspot.com/2011/01/student-teaching-at-ravenswood.html

Our Visual Arts Instructor

 
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Kitty Conde
Kitty Conde

email: caconde@cps.edu

Ms. Kitty was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She comes from a long line of teachers. Her mother taught gifted 6th grade and was a pioneer in arts integration. She received a BA in Literature and Arts from the University of Michigan. She moved to New York City, then travelled around Europe for 3 months where she found her love of Art. Ms. Kitty returned to Chicago and received her Degree in Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute. She moved to Madrid Spain to teach English and study art. She taught English at the City Colleges then found her home here at Ravenswood School. She achieved her National Boards in 2006 and renewed in 2016. She graduated from graduate school at National Louis University and received her M.Ed. in 2007. She has two children, Isabel and James, who both graduated from Ravenswood School where they met and learned from our excellent staff.

In addition to her National Board Certification In Visual Arts, she’s been a finalist for the Golden Apple Award two times. She received the Illinois Arts Educator of the Year. She presents at Local and National Arts Education Conferences. She haS travelled Internationally to share and learn about Arts integrative strategies, has taught at Columbia College and served on panels for the School of the Art Institute and University of Illinois. She has also hosted over 30 student teachers during her tenure at Ravenswood School.

Ms. Kitty currently works with art teachers throughout CPS and has played a prominent role in developing the respected “Every Art, Every Child” arts integration curriculum for elementary school teachers.