Vashon Artists in Schools
Drawing teaches us to see. Artist Rose Belknap and teacher Frank Daniels partner in "Leaves of the Chautauqua Forest" with 3rd graders (l to r) Rumor Pollard, John DiChiara, Jacob Bowden, Payton Venturi, Rachael Freebourn.
Teacher Geri Wilson and her students celebrate their beautiful new Chautauqua Kids Garden sign.Three Multi-Age teachers, together with Artist Kristen Reitz-Green and 68 students, designed and built three mosaic projects for the garden, using recycled colored glass, mirror and other objects. Enter our Island’s public schools and bask in the glow – the beauty, discipline and imagination of the arts. Since 1988, Vashon Allied Arts and Vashon Island School District have worked together to build arts programs in our public schools.
A cornerstone of this innovative partnership is Vashon Artists in Schools (VAIS). Through this program, Vashon teachers bring local artists into classrooms to enhance their curriculum. Artists provide residencies in visual, performing, literary and media arts. Artists mentor teachers to build knowledge and explore new teaching strategies. Students gain valuable skills and unlock expressive pathways to learning. The entire Vashon Island community celebrates the ways VAIS enriches and challenges our students and teachers and its supreme value as part of our Island’s educational system.
In December, 2012, VAIS awarded $20,000 in project grants for 24 teacher-artist residency partnerships. The grants cover artists’ fees and materials. Residency season is January-June. Today, inside dozens of VISD classrooms, 18 Vashon artists work alongside VISD teachers and students. They include: Rose Belknap, Sue Wiley, Kristen Reitz-Green, Ela Lambin, Clare Dohna, Patricia Toovey, Kevin Joyce, Carolyn Candy, Christine Juarez, Geri Seibert, Laurel Boyajian, Liz Lewis, Charlotte Masi, Mik Kuhlman, Barbara Gustafson, Ray Pfortner, Martha Enson and Sandra Noel.
Artist Roster:
A list of Vashon and regional professional artists who have been selected to teach in K-12 classrooms in Vashon Island Public Schools, the VAIS Roster is a resource for teachers who select artist partners for classroom residencies. VAIS also offers Artist/Teacher Mentorship Opportunities. Artists wishing to teach through VAIS are invited to apply at any time. The next residency season begins Fall, 2013.
Click below to find artist rosters (PDFs):
VAIS Artist Roster A-L
VAIS Artist Roster M-Z
Rosters by Discipline:
Visual & 3D Arts Theatre Arts
Writing & Storytelling Music & Movement
Video: “Student Learning in 3 VAIS Projects“
Click here to view memorial page to Geoff Johns, beloved teacher, instructor and friend of VAIS.
For more information about how to get involved, please contact VAIS coordinator, Pamela McMahan, 206-817-8731 or email Pam
Vashon Artists in Schools is nationally recognized by the NEA and provides a model program for other communities. Funding support is provided by Washington State Arts Commission, Vashon Island School District, Vashon Allied Arts, Vashon Partners in Education (PIE), Vashon Community PTSA and private donors.
