The Art Room at Fox Creek School is bustling with energy and colour as students, some excitedly and with much chatter, others, peacefully and 'in their own moment', are crafting individual works of art to add to their 3D class sculpture. Nearing completion, the giant mobile is a joyful testament to their learning and collaboration, and to the approach their teacher, Shelley Paley, brings to the K-12 Art curriculum:

 "Creating art is highly engaging and motivating, in different ways, for different students. It can be collaborative, like in the case of our 3D sculpture or the mural that some of our older students are working on, or individual, with student's working independently on different pieces and with different mediums. In that sense, art provides a "space" for everyone. With all of our work, we also talk about the joy our art will bring our peers and visitors when they see it (contribution) and the impact - big and small -  that art has within our school and greater communities (appreciation)."

Visual arts provide students with opportunities to create and reflect, to contribute and think critically, and to express their thoughts and emotions in a way that is not experienced in other subjects. In addition to growing as artists, in skill, technique, and application, the arts provide different avenues for students to find success, and wellness. Art as therapy engages each person in four possible areas of growth: in self expression, developing interpersonal skills, to improve self awareness, and for creative release during their artmaking process.

Paley, a teacher, artist, and 2024 graduate of The Kutenai Art Therapy Institute (KATI) shares:
 
"We are achieving curricular outcomes in learning, and providing the space for students to express themselves and what art means for them personally. In turn, there is a wellness component that happens naturally with the arts. It could mean a break from pre-test worry and preparation for junior and senior high students to engage in creation for 80 minutes. It could look like elementary students experimenting with watercolours for 40 minutes (creating), or a smile that comes to a student's face when they're walking down the hall and see a beautiful mural (appreciation). Art as therapy can be used for needed regulation, or to be seen and witnessed during skill building and choice activities. It can provide a break from our regularly busy routine or anxious thoughts as we focus on the brush stroke, or the beading, or whatever media we are working in. We can change our mood, and move in the present, when we are creating, mastering new skills, appreciating art and connecting with others."

The American Art Therapy Association: "As a whole, art therapy can offer students the opportunity to work through obstacles that may be impeding their educational success while facilitating appropriate social behavior and promote healthy affective development so students can become more receptive to their educational environment." - Robert Lackie, MS, MA, ATR, LPC, TLMFT Shawnee Mission School Dist., KS

Fox Creek School Principal Ian Baxter is excited for the continued growth of the art program:

"The positive impact of Ms. Paley's presence is undeniable. Students are more enthusiastic about art, exhibiting newfound confidence in their artistic abilities and producing truly remarkable work. Her commitment to nurturing individual talent and fostering a love for the arts has created a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. Shelley Paley is not just a teacher; she is a visionary who has elevated the importance of art education within our school. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of the Fox Creek School family and eagerly anticipate the continued growth and success of our art program under her exceptional guidance."

Learning and Connecting through Art!