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Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Drawing with Niki McNeil Spring 2021
Students and teachers must be able to readily switch to online instruction at any point in the semester in order to register for classes. All students must complete a project for this class.
Teacher: Niki McNeil
ph: 269-876-6518
email: nikimcneil@comcast.net
Format: In-person or Virtual options (see below)
Grades 1-12
Registration with teacher required. Please contact the teacher with class location questions.
For the time being I will not be able to utilize common spaces such as Martin’s or the Library in attempt to keep everyone safe and ensure the least risk possible. I will continue to teach in South Haven at First Baptist Church as I am able to use a space not being shared by others and bring in my own table and chairs. I will also be holding classes within my home in Coloma. Please note I have friendly cats and dogs, if your student has severe allergies it might be best to pick a different location for this semester, if your student has a fear of dogs/cats I can keep them separated please just let me know ahead of class time. When weather permits, we will meet outside.
Spring Classes will run for 13 weeks with a week off for spring break. Starting the week of Jan 17th and ending the week of April 25th. Please note classes sizes are kept small so please email your location preference quickly after or even before registration opens.
South Haven Location
Art Journaling – Wednesdays Noon-1:15
Coloma Location
Art Journaling – Wednesdays 3:30-4:45 or Thursdays 1:30-2:45
Art Journaling/Zentangle
What is Art Journaling?
“On the surface, an art journal is simply a bound journal filled with color, art, or imagery with words. But when you start asking journal artists what art journaling is to them… you’ll get a variety of answers. Some may tell you it’s a place to work out their ideas, or to practice and document their growth as an artist. While others may explain that it’s a safe container for their feelings, or a retreat to escape from stress, or a place to explore their inner landscape. It can be a place to practice following your intuition, to expand your comfort zone with the unknown, to play with new art supplies, a place to heal, to reduce stress, to learn more about who you really are… What it comes down to… is that art journaling is really only defined by what YOU say it is.” Kristal Norton
Kristal said it well, in this class I will help each student make their journal one of their favorite possessions. Artistic students will build confidence in their journaling ability and strong writers will find freedom in being artistic. Each week students will find they are learning more about who they are as a person and who they want to be in the future. The important thing to remember in this class is there are no wrong answers, it’s about personal growth and happiness. No two journals will look the same, every age can benefit from this process.
What is Zentangle?
This class is inspired by the Zentangle way of drawing. We will learn 2-3 new patterns each week and work towards mixing them together in bigger creations. We will work with illustration pens, learning how the different nib sizes affect each pattern and when to use a thicker or thinner pen. Students will learn a better understanding of balance, symmetry, and weight in art.
Syllabus
Virtual Art Is Fun - An Exploration of Drawing, Patterning & Art Journaling
Available Times:
Mondays from 2:45-3:55 pm
Tuesdays from 6-7:10 pm
Spring Classes will run for 13 weeks with a week off for spring break. Starting the week of Jan 17th and ending the week of April 25th. Please note classes sizes are kept small so please email your location preference quickly after or even before registration opens.
Class Description:
All ages/levels welcome
We are our own worst critics. This class is to help us take our own art less seriously while also taking art in general more seriously. Students will learn that growth in a subject matter such as art comes from repetition and breaking larger more complex drawings into simple shapes. After just a few short weeks parents often notice a surprising increase in their student’s confidence level.
A student recently told me after 3 weeks of working with them that “art isn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be and I kind of like it now”
The goal of this class is to create that safe space for kids to express themselves and create lifelong friendships all while they are creating art. Some weeks I will offer examples of how to add journaling into their art, introducing them to the concept of art journaling slowly over time. These journaling additions are a great way to add thought processing and reflection in a time where our kids need an outlet more than ever. I will also introduce patterning and Zentangle inspired art throughout the semester.
It is my hope that students will relate to each other through their art and realize that even though we are each unique, being different is ok, in fact being different is awesome!
For examples of the types of drawings we’ll be doing in this class visit my student gallery https://www.eclecticallymeniki.com/student-art-journaling-examples
Class Requirements:
Students will need a free Zoom account to take this virtual class, which can run from a computer, tablet or phone. I recommend using the biggest screen you have possible as I teach using a combination of slides and live directed drawing so kids can see both the end goal and the process of getting there. Zoom classes will be limited, but additional days/times can be added.
Supplies:
- Any type of quality art paper or sketchbook, cardstock in a 3 ring binder/sheet protectors (the thicker the paper the better, look for one labeled multi-media)
- Pencil and Eraser
- Ruler
- Markers, Gel Pens, and or colored pencils (I will be using all 3 depending on the project)
- Black Fine Point Illustration Pens (.3-.8 nib size) or Extra Fine/Fine Tipped Sharpie
- Some weeks may require printing out a template so access to a printer is helpful though students can work from the slides
*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Lisa Van Plew-Cid
ph: 269-876-6518
email: nikimcneil@comcast.net
Format: In-person or Virtual options (see below)
Grades 1-12
Registration with teacher required. Please contact the teacher with class location questions.
For the time being I will not be able to utilize common spaces such as Martin’s or the Library in attempt to keep everyone safe and ensure the least risk possible. I will continue to teach in South Haven at First Baptist Church as I am able to use a space not being shared by others and bring in my own table and chairs. I will also be holding classes within my home in Coloma. Please note I have friendly cats and dogs, if your student has severe allergies it might be best to pick a different location for this semester, if your student has a fear of dogs/cats I can keep them separated please just let me know ahead of class time. When weather permits, we will meet outside.
Spring Classes will run for 13 weeks with a week off for spring break. Starting the week of Jan 17th and ending the week of April 25th. Please note classes sizes are kept small so please email your location preference quickly after or even before registration opens.
South Haven Location
Art Journaling – Wednesdays Noon-1:15
Coloma Location
Art Journaling – Wednesdays 3:30-4:45 or Thursdays 1:30-2:45
Art Journaling/Zentangle
What is Art Journaling?
“On the surface, an art journal is simply a bound journal filled with color, art, or imagery with words. But when you start asking journal artists what art journaling is to them… you’ll get a variety of answers. Some may tell you it’s a place to work out their ideas, or to practice and document their growth as an artist. While others may explain that it’s a safe container for their feelings, or a retreat to escape from stress, or a place to explore their inner landscape. It can be a place to practice following your intuition, to expand your comfort zone with the unknown, to play with new art supplies, a place to heal, to reduce stress, to learn more about who you really are… What it comes down to… is that art journaling is really only defined by what YOU say it is.” Kristal Norton
Kristal said it well, in this class I will help each student make their journal one of their favorite possessions. Artistic students will build confidence in their journaling ability and strong writers will find freedom in being artistic. Each week students will find they are learning more about who they are as a person and who they want to be in the future. The important thing to remember in this class is there are no wrong answers, it’s about personal growth and happiness. No two journals will look the same, every age can benefit from this process.
What is Zentangle?
This class is inspired by the Zentangle way of drawing. We will learn 2-3 new patterns each week and work towards mixing them together in bigger creations. We will work with illustration pens, learning how the different nib sizes affect each pattern and when to use a thicker or thinner pen. Students will learn a better understanding of balance, symmetry, and weight in art.
Syllabus
Virtual Art Is Fun - An Exploration of Drawing, Patterning & Art Journaling
Available Times:
Mondays from 2:45-3:55 pm
Tuesdays from 6-7:10 pm
Spring Classes will run for 13 weeks with a week off for spring break. Starting the week of Jan 17th and ending the week of April 25th. Please note classes sizes are kept small so please email your location preference quickly after or even before registration opens.
Class Description:
All ages/levels welcome
We are our own worst critics. This class is to help us take our own art less seriously while also taking art in general more seriously. Students will learn that growth in a subject matter such as art comes from repetition and breaking larger more complex drawings into simple shapes. After just a few short weeks parents often notice a surprising increase in their student’s confidence level.
A student recently told me after 3 weeks of working with them that “art isn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be and I kind of like it now”
The goal of this class is to create that safe space for kids to express themselves and create lifelong friendships all while they are creating art. Some weeks I will offer examples of how to add journaling into their art, introducing them to the concept of art journaling slowly over time. These journaling additions are a great way to add thought processing and reflection in a time where our kids need an outlet more than ever. I will also introduce patterning and Zentangle inspired art throughout the semester.
It is my hope that students will relate to each other through their art and realize that even though we are each unique, being different is ok, in fact being different is awesome!
For examples of the types of drawings we’ll be doing in this class visit my student gallery https://www.eclecticallymeniki.com/student-art-journaling-examples
Class Requirements:
Students will need a free Zoom account to take this virtual class, which can run from a computer, tablet or phone. I recommend using the biggest screen you have possible as I teach using a combination of slides and live directed drawing so kids can see both the end goal and the process of getting there. Zoom classes will be limited, but additional days/times can be added.
Supplies:
- Any type of quality art paper or sketchbook, cardstock in a 3 ring binder/sheet protectors (the thicker the paper the better, look for one labeled multi-media)
- Pencil and Eraser
- Ruler
- Markers, Gel Pens, and or colored pencils (I will be using all 3 depending on the project)
- Black Fine Point Illustration Pens (.3-.8 nib size) or Extra Fine/Fine Tipped Sharpie
- Some weeks may require printing out a template so access to a printer is helpful though students can work from the slides
*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Lisa Van Plew-Cid
