There is no better time than Mental Health Awareness Month to focus on the importance of self-expression, and what better way is there to express yourself than through creating a piece of art!  CalPac’s Art Enrichment class gives students the opportunity to challenge themselves artistically and explore new talents within themselves that they may not have known they had. 

Art Enrichment at CalPac

We spoke to Art Enrichment teacher, Brittany Lutz about the importance of offering an art program to online students:

“Art enrichment is more than just a time to doodle, craft, or be creative.  I am passionate about providing the students with an opportunity to express themselves and explore art independence through projects that allow them to their process and mediums.  Art is more than crafting.  It is an opportunity for students to Aim to demonstrate their best selves; Respect themselves and others; and Trust in their abilities. These are not ART characteristics, these are lifestyle traits.  I will challenge them to explore art in a new way, especially if it makes them uncomfortable, because that is how we grow as individuals.”

Brittany Lutz, CalPac Art Enrichment Teacher

In our online art program, Mrs. Lutz gives online learners the opportunity to learn and grow creatively.  Giving students the tools for creative expression can help them lower their stress levels, feel socially connected to their peers, and grow their confidence, all while growing a talent that can be useful to them going forward in their education.  

A Typical Day in Art Enrichment Class

We asked Mrs. Lutz to describe a typical day in CalPac’s online art class:

“A typical day in our art enrichment class begins with a simple warm up activity.  This activity usually only requires pencil and paper.  We like to start by warming up our hands, muscles, and focus our mind while engaging the other side of the brain.  I always encourage students to keep their warm up out while we discuss the daily content to help them stay focused.  We will then discuss key content for understanding our studio work for the week.  This can include vocabulary, art techniques, and most commonly, famous artists! After we have the background needed to complete our project, students are invited to create!  I show a prerecorded demonstration that walks the students through the art creation.  This video allows me to start and stop the instruction, support students in the chat, and observe them through the camera view.  Students are always welcome to simply watch the demonstration before they create and have access to the video after class through our Google Classroom.  Following the demonstration, students are invited to stay in class to finish their art in “studio time” or are free to go and work on their own.  Once students finish their art, they submit it as an image and answer reflection questions on Google Classroom.  We then hold a weekly Gallery where students’ work is showcased and they are given the opportunity to critique each other’s work, K-8th.  I emphasize the importance of critiques and being constructive and descriptive.”

Brittany Lutz, CalPac Art Enrichment Teacher

Applying Your Art Skills to Your Future

Art Enrichment isn’t the only art program offered at CalPac.  For online students entering high school who have a particular interest in the arts, we recommend you consider a CTE Pathway in Design, Visual, & Media Arts.  Our CTE program prepares high school students to make informed decisions about their future academic and occupational goals.  Through direct instruction, interactive skills demonstrations, and practice assignments, students learn how to assess their own skills and interests, explore industry clusters and pathways, and develop plans for career and academic development.  In our Design, Visual & Media Arts pathway, online learners will be given the opportunity to explore educational and career pathways in this field.  Students who are interested in careers across a broad spectrum of professional positions in the design, visual, and media arts will gain useful perspectives on industry terminology, technology, work environment, job outlook, and guiding principles.  

Art as an Asset

Teaching art as a skill in the classroom has a variety of benefits for students.  Art-based learning can help increase observational skills, empathy, nonverbal communication, and interpersonal relationships.  Additionally, an interest in art can lead to opportunities after graduation.  The creative field is a growing one, so giving CalPac students the opportunity to hone their skills is something that we are proud to offer to our online learners.

Mrs. Lutz explains

“I have seen students grow from wanting to follow my every pencil stroke to creating works that truly demonstrate who they are, not what they were told to create. The students are also challenged to critique one another so they may grow as artists.  I tell them they are not allowed to say, “I like it….Great job.”  Instead, we describe what we like about others’ works.  Why do you like it? What inspires you about it? I feel honored to be able to witness this growth in my students.”

Brittany Lutz, CalPac Art Enrichment Teacher

Enroll at CalPac today to learn more about our online art programs!

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