Interior Decorators

Okay, let's admit it, fellow art teachers, sometimes we get a little tired of being mistaken for the interior decorator at our schools. We get asked to paint murals, posters and banners for special events, provide artwork for the central office and even decorate the bathroom walls and that's in addition to keeping a fresh display of work in showcases and bulletin boards throughout the hallways.

On the other hand, it's always satisfying, at the end of a series of projects to put together a display of student artwork that stops people in their tracks. It's always a joy watching students and faculty stop and talk about what they see. And it's even better when the artists report back hearing positive comments about their work.

But what I really love, is overhearing students show off their own art work. Like the other day when a student stepped out of the lunchroom with a friend, walked over to the bulletin board and said proudly, "See, I made that!" Then I heard, "Wow, I wish I'd taken art this year; that's cool."

Suddenly, I didn't mind being mistaken for the interior decorator. What more could I wish for than the opportunity to fill our school with artwork that generates good feelings and conversation.