Meet Julie
It's difficult to keep this joy of making art all to myself. I have been creating and selling my artwork for over 25 years, in 2008 I began sharing my know-how with classes in a variety of art mediums and I became a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts rostered teaching artist in 2015. My experience teaching a range of ages from young children to life-experienced assisted living and care community residents has developed into a sincere passion for designing differentiated art experiences that reach beyond cognitive and physical restrictions to support creative self-expression.
Albert Einstein said "Creativity is contagious, pass it on",
who am I to argue with him?
I developed the Paint the PA Wilds and Uncle Penn’s art kits in 2023 to continue my mission to offer art-making experiences and share my love of nature and the PA Wilds region which I call home.
What is a teaching artist?
Sharing Art-Joy
As a teaching artist leading classes for both adults and children I strive to convey that I value and respect that everyone carries a unique set of experiences that form who they are and how they interpret the world.
I am sensitive to student clues which guide my lesson approach, presentation and content. Keeping in mind difference in learning styles, age, cognitive abilities and physical limitations I adjust lessons as needed to accommodate the class. The utilization of sensory associations, movement, visual aids and physical demonstrations are built into my lessons.
Moving about the classroom during studio time provides opportunities to offer encouragement and check on student understanding.
I am careful to ask questions before dispensing advice in regard to a project. I want my students to be expressing their emotional response, insights and interpretation - not my own.
The questions I hear from students at the conclusion of a workshop session or lesson series are most often inquiries on where to purchase materials; I answer and smile knowing that art changes lives.