Purple Palaces at the Park District

I just wrapped up an Art Smart class through my local park district.  Kids ranged in age from PreK-2nd.  It was a lot of fun and a cute little group of artists!  On our last day we talked about architecture.  We studied onion domes and pattern and looked at photos of St. Basils and the Taj Mahal.  Then, we designed a purple palace for a prince who loves pattern... and onion domes.  They were so cute.

Teaching Art at the Park District: How I got that gig and why I love it.

Do yo want to take an art class?

I wrote an email in the winter to the recreation supervisor and my local park district.  I asked if I could teach classes there.  I didn't get a response. So, I went one town over.  I wrote asking if I could teach art classes this upcoming summer, and got a reply right away.  That was my "in" with parks & rec.  I was feeling like a real Leslie Knope.

I had no idea how people were chosen to be part of a park district brochure.  I didn't know the criteria, or how you'd get paid.  I did know that I wanted to teach private lessons, I wanted to get my name out there,  I was on a mission, and it seemed plausible.

First, I was organized.  I came up with a list of about 10 different classes I could teach.  I formatted the list to look like how the classes would be listed in the brochure.  Catchy titles, descriptions, age ranges, and class time were included.  I tried to think of projects that were successful in my public school teaching, and I tried to think of tools and media that would not be too expensive.

If you want to teach at a park district, you are hired as an independent contractor.  You are your own entity hired by them to teach classes with your own expertise and supplies.  They provide the promotion, registration, and space.  You are responsible for everything else.

I had nailed down a summer schedule with the supervisor - but before it became official I needed to supply her with a current resume and references.  This was easy for me since I am currently employed in a school district and have two principals who were eager to let anyone and everyone know how fabulous I am. (I'm sure that is how it went down.)

Second, insurance.  I needed to provide proof that I had professional liability insurance up to $100,000,000.  I think this could be done fairly easy, and I've learned that many people can get this for about $200/year.  However, I ended up with the fanciest, most premiumist, most bestest insurance in the world - and I'm paying a lot more.

Third, how will you get paid.  I looked at all the surrounding communities and saw what other franchise programs were charging for their classes.  I had an idea in my head how much I'd like to get per hour/student.  I just didn't know how these would come together.  I would have to purchase supplies and I figured classes wouldn't be that big.  I learned that the park districts take out a flat rate per student/class.  I've also learned that this is negotiable and could vary.  In the end, I figured the amount families were being charged and the amount to the park district was worth it for the publicity, and experience.

Fourth, planning the classes.  I've had some experience with teaching art in weird places before.  I used to teach through the youth department at our local community college.  I didn't have to provide my own supplies, but my classes would be set up in a teacher's lounge or lecture hall. I have experience schlepping supplies too.  I co-lead my daughter's Daisy Troop and invested in a wheely suitcase from Goodwill to bring crayons, markers, sharpies, glue, scissors, etc. to 15 antsy girls 2X a month. And who could forget about my Art-on-a-Cart experience that lead me to this experience?  I've become a pro at teach anywhere art classes.

Fifth, teaching the classes.  This was the best part.  My classes this month are small, but the children are wonderful.  Every single one wants to be there and has a real passion and talent for the subject.  It makes steps 1-4 worth it.  I felt like I was really teaching and that my students were really learning.  I had not realized how tense and on edge teaching in the public school had felt lately.  Discipline, Common Core, differentiation, modifications, technology, STEAM, PBIS, and interruption after interruption, after interruption,  - it's stressful!  Teaching with the kids in the park district was what I needed to remember what it feels like to be teaching. To ACTUALLY be teaching.

No Corner Suns Art Studio is offering quality art education classes at the Westmont & Clarendon Hills Park District.

In a little less then two weeks, my classes at the Westmont and Clarendon Hills Park district get underway.  There is still time to register and pass the information on to your students!  (If they happen to be in Western Chicagoland!)

Summer 2014

Register for these classes through the Clarendon Hills or Westmont Park District.

Visit WPD4fun.org and Clarendonhillsparkdistrict.org for more information.

 Time Traveling Artists

Travel around the globe and experience

the universal language of art.

Age:                 6-8 years old

Location: Westmont Park District

Day:                 Tuesdays

Fee:                 $60 (n/r $75)

Code                 Date                       Time

2501-2               July 8-July 29        3:30-4:30pm

Art Sampler

Art Sampler will develop your artistic eye for

color, shape, texture and form.

Age:                 9-11 years old

Location: Westmont Park District

Day:                 Tuesdays

Fee:                 $90 (n/r $113)

Code                                                                                                                                               Date                       Time

2502-2               July 8-July 29        4:30-6:00pm

Street Art

Street Art concentrates on the history of street art culture and

teaches the basics without spray paint.

Age:                 12-13 years old

Location: Clarendon Hills Park District

Day:                 Wednesdays

Fee:                 $90 (n/r $113)

Code                                    Date                       Time

2503-2               July 9-July 30        3:30-5:00pm

Water Color

Explore color theory and new techniques with the diverse media of

watercolor.

Age:                 8-13 years old

Location: Clarendon Hills Park District

Day:                 Wednesdays

Fee:                 $90 (n/r $113)

Code               Date                       Time

2504-2              July 9-July 30        5:00-6:30pm

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!