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Links to some of the articles and news clips about me that have run, use your browser's "back" button to return here:
Electrical Apparatus Magazine, December 2009
Fox Chicago News interview with Nancy Loo, October 2009
February 2011
I am creating Visiting Artist programs for schools (K-12) in the northwest suburban Chicago area. Envision a professional Artist spending one to three days a week working with students to expand the way they look at their world. Projects would be based on specific education goals determined by each school and can be designed to integrate with other areas of study. I like to see how many disciplines can benefit from the experience of interacting with an Artist over time.
This semester Stevenson HS asked me to be their Visiting Artist for Jan & Feb and I am starting a Residency at Vernon Hills HS where I am working with students to create a large (12'), steel tree sculpture for their inner courtyard. Students, in addition to having participated in the design process, will get hands-on experience working with steel and creating something that will be a significant addition to their school. This also offers a great fundraising opportunity - the leaves on the tree will be student and alumni donors' silhouettes. As well as engaging students now, this will ensure they feel invested in their school after graduation, encouraging alumni donations for future projects. This is just one example of the kind of projects I want to bring to our kids. I have learned that projects that give students hands-on experience enable funding from additional sources, and getting the PTA excited about these opportunities gets us funding from them, too.
Visiting Artist programs bring professional artists into the classroom – before, during or after school - to engage students in the complex and dynamic study of art and to provide a creative approach to learning. Teaching artists collaborate with classroom teachers to identify the major ideas students will be exploring. They then create an original and engaging curriculum that uses art to dig deeper and find meaningful connections between those ideas and the world around them.
My teaching philosophy is one of learning by doing. Experience is everything. The exploration of materials and meaning in the classroom as well as the studio should allow self-expression and reflection. Process is integral to the work - the conscious realization of what our hands and minds are capable of producing while working as a collective student body. Evolving as a person and making art is a completely intertwined process. The decisions made when making an art object are as important and meaningful as the art piece itself. I encourage my students to experiment with materials, to push their ideas to the limit and to think always about the content of their work.
Residencies provide students with high quality arts experiences that offer enrichment, inspiration and engagement for all types of learners. They also empower students with tools of self-expression and stimulate creative, confident and culturally aware thinking.
Studies show that by integrating the creative process into an existing curriculum, students will retain more information better and learn to make connections between themselves and what they are studying. My experience has shown me that when students get excited about learning, nothing is impossible.
June 2011
This summer I am offering 5 workshops through The Art Center (TAC) in Highland Park, Il.
Check their website for dates, times & cost www.theartcenterhp.org
Grow Your Own Steel Magnolias Design your leaves, blossom and center and steel artist, Pamela Olin, will cut your designs out and weld them together to create a 4’ tall flower that you can paint and embellish. So how does your garden grow? With a little iron in the soil!
Foam Carving: Fish For older kids and adults, each participant carves and paints a large (approx 24”), 3-dimensional, freestanding fish using pink home insulation closed cell foam. Battery operated foam cutters are used; they go through that pink stuff like a hot knife through butter! You’ll be amazed at your own creativity!
3D Painting - Perspective Is Everything Students get to explore the real meaning of perspective. Three paintings are created and put together in such a way that you only see one at a time depending on your angle of view. The finished piece teaches us not to assume without investigation.
Copper & Steel Dreamcatchers Create Dreamcatchers using steel, copper, brass, beads and other small objects. Students learn how to create a web using copper wire. Beads and small objects (single earrings, cool buttons, shells, feathers) are woven into the web during the process to add dimension and color. Each Dreamcatcher is a personal creation so no two are alike. Students are encouraged to bring objects from home to personalize their piece.
Steel Garden Art Design your very own piece of garden art. Steel artist, Pamela Olin, will Plasma cut it out and Mig weld it to a rod for you to paint and embellish to brighten your garden or give as a gift. Imagine a whimsical burst of color that lasts through the winter and brings fond memories of Summer at TAC.
Other News...
I also have 5 large pieces in the outside sculpture garden at TAC and am very pleased to say that the day after I installed them, one was sold!
The Vernon Hills High School project is wrapping up and will be dedicated on May 17th. It recognizes the contributions of the Art Department and honors retiring teacher, Jim Savage, after 30 years of introducing students to the power of their own creativity.
The sculpture is a 12' steel tree that students helped create. The copper leaves have names of donors, both alumni and students, cut into them. The entire piece is made of recycled steel and there are all sorts of semi-hidden elements to give those "discovery moments" to curious students. This piece speaks to the importance of strong roots in our community, it's something that alumni can bring their kids to see how cool it is to contribute to something larger than ourselves.
What's next? You tell me! I can create a project that will not only enhance your environment, but offer a unique fund raising opportunity that can help pay for itself.
Check out my son, Miles Cable's YouTube channel!
Click on the link below to see the video work he does.