Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 2016)
Wednesday, October 5, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 15 Middle school arts has new teacher By erin Borla Correspondent Sisters Middle School welcomed new teaching art- ist Judy Fuentes as a full-time fifth- and sixth-grade visual art teacher this year. Fuentes was hired for a one-year position, paid for by Sisters Folk Festival in partner- ship with the Sisters School District. The position was created to bridge the gap between the Sisters Elementary School art program and the sev- enth- through 12th-grade program taught by Bethany Gunnarson. The elementary program is now in its third year, with teacher Karen Williams. Williams was hired through the Studio to School grant initiative. The Studio to School grant, also in its third year, was received from the Oregon Community Foundation, Fred Fields Fund by Sisters Folk Festival. That grant supports art and music education kin- dergarten through 8th grade — the new Sisters Middle School position falls outside of that funding and is finan- cially supported by Sisters Folk Festival’s fundraising efforts like My Own Two Hands. “We are hoping to support the creation of great foun- dational art skills in young people in Sisters,” said Brad Tisdel, creative director for Sisters Folk Festival. Fuentes splits her time between Sisters Middle School and Pine Ridge Elementary in Bend. Her classes in Sisters vary between 20-25 students every afternoon. She integrates art dis- ciplines to help students develop their individual skills and uses different tech- niques to keep things fun and inspiring. Students can look forward to learning art principles this year while working with clay; spending time making masks, collaborative group art and art with nature. Students will also look at other artists, art history and cultures. Recently fifth-grade stu- dents studied Chagal’s “Over the Town” image and then ale S e c n a r a le C t n la — P — created their own version. Each image had the Sisters mountains and the students’ homes. They each created their own version of them- selves as well to add to the image above their home. “I try to integrate with what they’re studying in other classes as well,” she said. “For example the fifth- graders will be studying money; I hope to bring that into art. We will be designing our own coins with cardboard and using yarn as a relief method for rubbings and other techniques.” In a way, everything relates to art. “There are a lot of ways to bring in their studies,” Fuentes said. “Social studies, science, math, geography. This can be especially helpful for students who have a more analytical way of thinking.” Middle school can be a dif- ficult transition for students. “Art can give students understanding — about themselves, about others and other cultures,” said Fuentes. “Instead of just looking at a picture of tiles from the FINE�FURNITURE HALL� HURRY, we close for the season Saturday, October 8th! Everything 20-50% OFF! Located next to Richard’s Produce 541-549-2345 Adult Prom & Halloween Party! Saturday, October 29 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Belfry | $15 per ticket No-host bar, dance contest & costume contest! Come party with SPRD at the Adult Prom & Halloween Party! Get dressed up in formalwear if you so de- sire, or come in your ghoulish costume. DJ Chuck Boogie will play the best hits so you can dance the night away. For more information call Shannon Rackowski at 541-549-2091 or email shannon@sistersrecreation.com View activities & classes, and register online! www.SistersRecreation.com 1750 W. Mckinney Butte Rd. | 541-549-2091 SNO CAP MINI STORAGE Sisters Industrial Park 157 Sisters Park Dr. • 541-549-3575 www.SistersStorage.com • State-of-the-art Security Technology • Sizes from 5x5 to 12x40 • Individual Gate Codes • Long-term Discounts • On-site Manager TABLE S Adam Bronstein Cra� sman By Commission 541-410-1309 SpringCreekWoodworking.com photo by erin borla fifth-grade students created their own version of Chagal’s “Over the town” with new teaching artist Judy fuentes. Middle East, they begin to see the patterns, the designs; couple that with a fun activ- ity and skill development. It’s teaching them confidence.” While Fuentes lives in Bend, she says she is “blown away by the vision” of the art program. “So often smaller com- munities may not have the resources or cultural aware- ness,” says Fuentes. “Not Sisters, Sisters is always so vibrant and fiery! “I’m so excited to be here — I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am.” The Studio to School grant Sisters Folk Festival received from the Oregon Community Foundation, Fred Fields Fund, supports art and music education kindergar- ten through 8th grade — this position fell outside of that funding. Currently this position is supported financially through Sisters Folk Festival. If com- munity members are inter- ested in supporting the arts education programs like this one, earmarked contributions can be made to Sisters Folk Festival. Happier r I If f Y You o u Stretched? S trre tched d? Improve health, strength, energy, mood & fl exibility. Decrease stress and pain. Stretch in a safe & fun environment. Wednesday 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Taught by Karen Kassy, MS in Integrative Medicine life.love.yoga. 164 N. Elm St.