B Y U A R T
  • Academics
    Faculty and Staff Disciplines Off-Campus Learning Undergraduate Curriculum Art Art Education Graduate Curriculum Art Art Education
  • Admissions
    How To Apply Art Art Education Scholarships
  • Lecture Series
  • News
  • Support Art
  • Academics
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Disciplines
  • Off-Campus Learning
  • Undergraduate Curriculum
  • Art
  • Art Education
  • Graduate Curriculum
  • Art
  • Art Education
  • Admissions
  • How To Apply
  • Art
  • Art Education
  • Scholarships
  • Lecture Series
  • News
  • Support Art

Student Teacher-Mentor Duo Walks Students through Making Meaningful Art

Inspired by the project Dear Data, Chloe Welch and Bart Francis encouraged students to collect and visualize data from their lives

Art by Skyler Rogers

March 28, 2019

Every fall and winter art education students in their final semester of the program complete student teaching in local schools. Paired with innovative mentors who offer authentic full-time teaching experiences, students have the opportunity to practice the theory they have learned in their coursework over the years.

Chloe Welch, one of six student teachers this semester, gradually assumed responsibility for Bart Francis’ high school art classes until she became the primary teacher. Outside the classroom, however, they continue to meet regularly for coaching, assessing and brainstorming lesson plans.

“It’s really supportive but at the same time giving me my space to learn, fail and experiment,” Welch said.   

On the other side of the partnership, Francis said he loves the new ideas and excitement student teachers bring to the classroom. Early in the semester, Welch shared an idea about visualizing data as art, inspired by the project Dear Data, and Francis made the connection to a lesson he had previously taught on routines. 

“It’s really supportive but at the same time giving me my space to learn, fail and experiment.”

Together they researched other artists who incorporate data collection and routines into their work and designed a lesson plan.

For the assignment, students collected data for seven days on one aspect of their life, then documented that data in an artwork that included a legend to help viewers decipher their image. Successful topics students came up with included the following:

  • How long it takes to catch my Shih Tzus and where
  • What time I change my clothes, the reason why, and what colors
  • How many times I say “yeah” in text conversations
  • Mental health records from therapist
Welch teaches during an art class

In February, Welch and Francis presented their experience at the Utah Art Education Association conference. One outcome that resulted from the data collection project was that students were able to make meaningful connections between their art and their life.

“If you tell students to make meaningful art, they don’t know what that means,” Francis said, “but this project walked them through that process step by step. Some of them realized it’s meaningful not just because of the time they spent on the artwork but because of all the thought they put into it prior.”

In preparation for student teaching, students in the Art Education program are given opportunities to shadow teachers and practice teaching in various contexts. After gaining proficiency in many different art forms, Welch said the last half of the major focuses more on practical teaching skills such as classroom management and curriculum writing.

While reflecting on her experience so far as a student teacher, Welch said she has learned to focus on the potential within students. “When you treat them as real artists, they’ll rise to the challenge and make great art,” she said.

“When you treat [students] as real artists, they’ll rise to the challenge and make great art.”

As Welch’s mentor, Francis said he has watched Welch grow and improve as a teacher as well, and increase in her confidence and ability to interact with students and encourage them to develop as artists.

Artwork by Skyler Rogers. Used with permission.

Skyler Rogers legend

Artwork by Elisa Metzner. Used with permission.

Elisa Metzner legend

Artwork created by students at Mountain View High School

by Abby Weidmer

Related News

Sharon Heelis to Retire After Nearly 40 Years as a Secretary for the Department of Art

After years of helping students achieve their goals, Heelis looks forward to continuing her own education

April 29, 2020

Read More

Awards Night and Student Show 2019

April 24, 2019

Congratulations to all student recipients of awards and scholarships presented at the department’s annual awards night on Wednesday, April 17. A total of 91 awards…

Read More

Alumni Feature: Heidi Moller Somsen

The physical process of creating art helps ceramics instructor Heidi Moller Somsen process the vicissitudes of life

July 4, 2019

Read More
More News

CONTACT

BYU Department of Art

E509 HFAC

Provo, Utah 84602

801.422.2064

Department Secretary

Maddison Colvin

801.422.4429

maddison_colvin@byu.edu

Academic Advisor for Pre-Majors

Becca Weidner

801.422.3777

Academic Advisor for Majors

Julee Braithwaite

801.422.3777

  • © All rights reserved 2019
BYU Seal