Antoinette Badenhorst on sat 11 dec 99
As a self taught potter I started a teaching studio in
1985. I remember how important knowledge was (still
is) for me and I remember how I tried to teach my
students every bit of it,but I soon realized that I
have to repeat myself on the same subject almost every
time. As time went on and I became more relaxed in my
studio the students start relaxing. Then another
problem came up. They made the piece and I had to come
out with creativity to decorate the piece. This killed
my creative spirit for my own work and all my students
went along with my left over creativity and no spirit
of their own. Along the way I had informal courses
under different people. Some almost killed the
technique and others did just the opposite.
With time I encouraged my students to start drawing
what they want to make.I encouraged them to bring
samples of fabric,patrons,seeds,architectural examples
and so forth to the class so that we could work out
what they want.I encouraged them to bring their own
music to the class and talk about good things in
life.Everyone had an input on everyones work. I
learned my students personality(I only had ten
students per class) I told them that I could only help
them if they help me to help them. Along with that I
showed them some good work in books. We also went to
exhibits and criticized the work together. I tried to
expose them as much as I could( few people really know
what it is about, till they really get involved). What
I learned through this was that the example and the
true love for the medium and subject from the teacher
is the only things necessary to get the best out of a
student. The best is what the student at that point is
able to do. If one expose a person to the whole wide
world of art(in all it`s facets) and you do it with
passion, you will encourage the student to bring out
his best.This include technique as well as
creativity.You will encourage him to learn and explore
on his own.
If you deal with a teacher that is narrow minded, you
will end up with narrow minded students. If you deal
with a teacher that do not care for technique,you end
up with careless students.
I think that one need creative minds in schools to
work through curriculums,but most of all you need
people with the love for the subject and the people!!
If teachers will stop fighting the subject and the
students(expecially if you are pushed into something
you do not want to do,like painters giving ceramic)
and use them to help you, you will always win. But
please don`t take on a ceramic job if you prefer to
paint!!
Antoinette.
(I learned the hard way)
=====
Antoinette Badenhorst
PO Box 552
Saltillo,Mississippi
38866
Telephone (601) 869-1651
timakia@yahoo.com
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