Letters To The Editor

Arts & Activities, Oct, 2001

EXPLORING HIGH-TECH ART

Please continue to include articles on art and technology. I would love to see how others integrate computers, etc. into their art curriculum. I also would like to see articles dealing with adaptive art and related issues.

Melissa Enderle
Milwaukee, Wis.

Please continue to focus on computer art in your magazine. Using computer art tools is an important part of the computer curriculum. Thank you.

June Tesauro
Dallas, Texas

We're glad that you--and many other readers--are so interested in computer art. This month, we offer a "Pixel Palette" article that deals not only with computer use, but also involves this month's main theme: paper! Check out "One Approach to Elementary Computer Art" on page 40. We will be bringing you more "Pixel Palette" ideas throughout the coming year.--Ed.

MAKING THE GRADE?

I have subscribed to Arts & Activities for over three years now. There doesn't seem to be a lot of ideas for middle school/high school art teachers.

Robin Thorne
Snohomish, Wash.

I would really like to see and read more about eighth-grade art classes and lessons.

J. Keenan
Falmonte, Mass.

I don't know how many inquiries you get from "School Superintendents" or members of "Boards of Education"--but perhaps you could combine those categories on your reply cards in order to leave room for a separate "middle school" category. I feel it's time this age group is recognized for its unique characteristics--quite different from "senior high" or elementary school.

Naomi Lesberg
San Marcos, Calif.

Alas, our subscription and Reader Service cards do not separate the middle-school level from secondary. Since June 1998, however, we here in the editorial department have separately listed lessons for this level in our Volume Index (published in every January and June issue of Arts & Activities). With a quick glance at the index, you'll see that we have a wealth of ideas specifically for this special group of students.--Ed.

KEEP THE ARTS ALIVE!

Congratulations regarding so many successful years playing an important role in keeping the arts alive in the hearts of the young ... so very important, especially during this rapidly changing age of so many choices. The need to encourage the emergence of the creativity within has never been greater. Thanks again for what you are doing to contribute to an appreciation of aesthetics.

Val Freeman
Bronx, N.Y.

I love the monthly Clip & Save Art Print section. I laminate them and use them to integrate art into a 2-6 elementary classroom. Any art lesson you suggest is great. Thanks!

Robin Gormin
Laguna Niguel, Calif.

OUR READERS SHARE

Here's an idea worth trying at the end of a semester or year. I open the scrap-paper box to my classes to make anything they want--pictures, sculptures, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, whatever. I put a pile of this paper on each table and say that they can get other pieces from the box if they need a certain color. The students love it and use their creativity to the fullest. It also cleans out the scrap box because the only rule is that only large or full sheets go back into the box. All small ones are then thrown out.

Deb Lockie
Grover Hill, Ohio

Our school has a "Museum" to display children's art work and generate the feel of a museum atmosphere. It also has a gift shop, studio and library. In another wing, we have "Grannie's Pride," consisting of five wall-mounted refrigerator doors on which student art can be displayed.

Deborah Oliphant
Smyrna, Tenn.

ARTS & ACTIVITIES welcomes letters to the editor pertaining to the content of the magazine and art education in general. We also encourage the exchange of ideas and opinions between readers via this column. Use the postage paid "Dear Editor" card opposite page 5 or address letters to: ARTS & ACTIVITIES, Attention: Editor, 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108. ARTS & ACTIVITIES reserves the right to edit all published letters for space and clarity.