As a teaching artist my goal is to create an environment of collaborative and explorative learning. Encouraging artistic growth and developing problem solving strategies that allow students to grow as artists and professionals are my main goals for a class. Project-driven classes that incorporate regular reviews, both one-on-one and group critiques, help artists/students continually define and redefine their creative practice.
I place a strong emphasis on exposing students to a range of skills and techniques involved in constructing their work. My goal is not to produce technical virtuosos but rather to provide the students with enough skills to begin making work that merits critical discussion. Allowing students to work as a group and and as individuals to strengthen their problem solving abilities, often with creative solutions, ensures that once they have left the classroom they can navigate the road of professional artist.
I make it clear that my door is always open. I enjoy the responsibility that mentoring entails: the reward is being part of a continuum of creativity.
© Lauren Lohman