On Friday, after having visited the monument, I got a tour around the local art school teaching children of all school ages up to 18. With not more than around ten pupils in each class and led by one of teacher for the duration of the whole year, the teachers seem to have both the physical and mental space to properly focus on every student in a relaxed environment. The school is not large, but just the right size with old-fashioned corridors and squeaky linoleum on the floors, a new CCTV camera system itself guarded by a concierge, a corkboard advising how to behave during a terrorist attack, a small botanic passage way, an exhibition hall, a small art library (no internet, much better) and a feeling of calm and order in the classrooms equipped with still-life set ups and easels, some of them organised more than others, depending on the nature of the teacher. In one of the stairwells there is a temporary installation "NET" by Dmitrij, in the exhibition hall there is currently a young 14 year old genius exhibiting his work from the last two years, and it is really impressive and rather unbelievable how skilled this boy is. Applause, really.
The school reminded me of my old art school years ago, in my hometown, which was much smaller; I used to love going there so much and at the end of my studies I remember the music I listened to when preparing my portfolio to send off to the art college; I also remember how anxious I was to leave, to see how they teach art at a big institution abroad. So much art left behind since then.
I truly believe that these local art schools really are what makes kids either love art, or become gradually very much disinterested in it; all this is lying on the shoulders of the teachers, they are the ones who convey all the passion and dedication, and skills. The artists-teachers whom I met seem to genuinely enjoy the work, and the whole collective atmosphere had a good vibe to it.
The school reminded me of my old art school years ago, in my hometown, which was much smaller; I used to love going there so much and at the end of my studies I remember the music I listened to when preparing my portfolio to send off to the art college; I also remember how anxious I was to leave, to see how they teach art at a big institution abroad. So much art left behind since then.
I truly believe that these local art schools really are what makes kids either love art, or become gradually very much disinterested in it; all this is lying on the shoulders of the teachers, they are the ones who convey all the passion and dedication, and skills. The artists-teachers whom I met seem to genuinely enjoy the work, and the whole collective atmosphere had a good vibe to it.
the exhibition by a young prodigy
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self-portraits, Dmitrij's class
