Breaking Rules

Contemplating impending retirement, I revisit works of art created by so many students over the years. What a complete joy and privilege to nurture and witness creativity unfolding. Even after all these years, I wonder at the creative process. It is a dance, the partners, freedom and restriction, taking turns leading the steps, sometimes in sync, sometimes out of step completely. Art projects, in a classroom environment, are like problem sets for critical thinking. The teacher's role is to pose a question, provide some tools and skills, then step back and let it all happen. MUCH easier said than done, to be sure! My favorite admonishment to students, given after project instructions and usually with a wink: "Rules (in the art room) are meant to be broken." 

Over the years, I have discovered that the richest creative moments and art experiences both in the classroom and in my own studio occur when rules are broken either accidentally or intentionally. Nurturing the capacity for students to create, follow and BREAK their own rules is true teaching, far more an art than a science.