Successful art projects at a birthday party? Yes! Art Party: Georgia O'Keeffe

I recently had the greatest/most intense birthday party experience ever.

I hosted a first grader's birthday party at my studio, No Corner Suns.  It is a very small classroom up above an old travel agency.  On my website I say our maximum is 12 kids/party.  Well, we've been able to stretch that to 15...and this weekend I stretched it to 17.  Yes.  Seventeen first graders up in my little attic classroom- and it was off the hook.

My party mom was awesome.  If every customer who came to the studio was like her, it would be a dream.  She took the art party theme to the next level with her details!  It looked great and her daughter was so nice and appreciative.

I taught the kids a little bit about Georgia O'Keeffe and showed them a ton of her flower pictures.  They sketched for a little bit, and then we prepped their canvas.  They spent several minutes mixing their palette (they were great with color theory!) and then painted.  They were so cute!

We of course had our share of spilled water, painted hair and sleeves.  My floor has never been as colorful, and I truly worked up a sweat cleaning up before cupcakes!  It was great fun and I hope to get the chance to do it again.

Oooohhhhh NoCornerSuns.Blogspot.Com how I've missed you....

To say this year is a little hectic is an understatement.

This is about what my world feels like right now. #artteacherproblems (amirite?)

My School:

My schedule has changed so I've been teaching more (less planning time = less blogging time)
Our school district implemented a new grading system, unit planning system, email, lesson plan system, evaluations...& I have a new principal.
The new art standards are in effect, so my plans and things from the past all need to be reworked.
Common Core is nipping at my toes too!


plus...

I opened an ART STUDIO!

What started as this little pipe dream of years past has blossomed into a full blown small business.  It took many months, many tears, many muscles, and many terrific friends & family help - but I did it, and it's real.

Here's Mike.  He owns Weston Travel.  No Corner Suns moved to his vacant room upstairs.  Look how happy I am to get the keys.  Look how happy Mike is to get my rent check.

From the frustration with the climate of art education in the public schools, the lack of quality arts enrichment classes in my community, and those damn wine & paint events where everyone PAINTS THE SAME THING,  No Corner Suns Art Studio was born offering classes for everyone!  I am currently teaching a few elementary classes after school and have been hosting BYOB events and  art parties for kids. it. is. so. cool.

My beautiful and wonderful friend, Val made this sign!
I like to display my students' work in the windows downstairs for all the cars and pedestrians to see.  Featured here are my K-2s Matisse inspired collages.

I am lucky to be in a great community and have lots of support.  My years as a public school art educator are serving me well, and I just looooooooveeeee sharing it with so many new faces.  I have many things on the horizon for No Corner Suns!  But, I'd like to get back to this blog.  I know that my first love is art education, and being in the classroom, but a close second is writing about art ed. and sharing EVERYTHING I've learned over the past 16 years.... Ugh!  16 years?  I'm like a pro now.

Before

And After.

So, consider this a warning - New posts will be arriving daily.  To learn more about my school classroom, please visit MrsKostal.blogspot.com   or mrskostal.tumblr.com and to see more cool pix from No Corner Suns Art Studio, visit my Flickr page!

nocornersuns.com IS ALL NEW! But still delivers the same quality content you've grown to expect.

I love teaching art. I love seeing the pride on a students face when they complete a successful project.  That is why I became an art teacher.  Teaching art is like giving a gift with every lesson.

Last winter I got the crazy idea that I wanted to teach even MORE art. I just wasn't satisfied with the amount of art lesson gifts I was giving! "I should teach more!!"  I reached out to my local park district and was able to get some classes scheduled for this summer.  "More!!" I also worked closely with a  business owner in my hometown.  I would be able to rent a space from him in the fall and schedule very small after school classes.  Truth be told, it was my husband.  He owns a music store and would have some available space, so I jumped at the chance.

Here is my table at our local park district's Summer Class Expo.  The tablecloth matched my blouse, and potential clients had the chance to make some art!  

I still was not satisfied with that amount of art I'd be sharing in my community!  More art classes!  More!  More!  It's was like a chant happening in my head.  I worked closely with my hometown to set up a free art lesson table during their weekly street fair, and I scheduled a Wine & Paint Party with a local eatery.  Could this be enough?

Yes, for now.

All this required a complete overhaul of nocornersuns.com.  It was the home base for this blogspot blog, but is now officially the home base of No Corner Suns Art Studio:  Creative Art Classes for all ages.

If you have downloaded worksheets in the past, or see the "nocornersuns.com" url on my resources, rest assured you will still get directed here via the "art teacher resources" tab.

Nocornersuns.com is now the hub for my classes and events in the community. I hope you have a chance to check it out!  Thanks!