“I began kindergarten at Holy Family (now Cathedral of the Risen Christ) in the fall of 1956. At the time there was not much art education happening in elementary schools. My most significant elementary art experience came in third grade. Sr. Shawn, OSB, was wanting to keep me busy. In her classroom there were two blackboards, one in the front and one in the back. The one in the back was rarely used. So she said I could fill up the board in the back with Halloween pictures! She gave me a small box of broken pieces of colored chalk. I filled up that board with haunted houses, skeletons, ghosts, corn stalks, pumpkins, flying bats and witches.
“Sr. Shawn allowed the project to continue throughout the year. In November I drew a huge cornucopia surrounded by pilgrims, Indians, turkeys, and other Thanksgiving motifs. In December the board was all things Christmas. In January we celebrated New Years. There were Valentines in February, Shamrocks and leprechauns in March. April was all about Easter. It was such a blessing to me to be able to express my talents on such a large scale! Thank you, Sr. Shawn, OSB, rest in peace.
“When I attended Pius X High School, it was a three-year program (1966-1969). I had the opportunity to participate in several activities as a class officer, Student Council rep., yearbook staff, and Pep Club member. There were many happy hours spent decorating for dances, writing and participating in Pep Club skits and school performances. There was only room in my schedule for a couple of art classes, which left me feeling a bit behind when I started art classes at UNL. Often, after class, I would head to the public library to look up terms and concepts that were new to me. This had a huge impact on my teaching philosophy; it made me very determined to offer my students a broad variety of materials, methods and vocabulary. The combination of leadership roles and a commitment to communicating knowledge has served me well in my career as an Art Educator.
“Art has been my “North Star” – it has guided most of my work decisions. Over the years I have walked through the doors that God has presented to me. Consequently, He has provided me with a wonderful diversity of experiences. In addition to my experiences in public schools and the University, I have been able to teach in a variety of settings: SRI preschool, SCC adult ed., eight years at UNL and 18 years at Lincoln Public Schools as an Administrator. As a Nebraska Arts Council Artist-in-Residence, Artist In Schools artist and an Arts Are Basic Teaching Artist, I have traveled across Nebraska, teaching in many small communities and schools, including trailers on ranches, one-two room buildings in corn fields, SAC Air Base, and a Catholic girls prep school. I am currently a TeamMates Mentor meeting with three students weekly.”
