Amanda Murphy

“Mrs. Murphy! I never knew there was so much art!”

Posted by Amanda Murphy, Oct 24, 2014 0 comments


Amanda Murphy

Amanda Murphy Amanda Murphy

My two after school art clubs, six parent chaperones, and I were walking back from our enormously successful field trip when one of my students beamed: “Mrs. Murphy! I never knew there was so much art!” We’d spent the day elbow deep in art processes at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls–a historic shirt factory turned haven for artists, crafters, and healers. If you find yourself in upstate New York, do yourself the favor of checking it out.

My students had the incredible opportunity to participate in hour long workshops in pottery, digital photography, felt making, flower pressing, and ‘plarn’ bracelet making–crocheted bracelets made from reused plastic shopping bags. My “art clubbers” were deeply engaged during each workshop, all of which were led by working artists. I excitedly traipsed through the stairwells trying to be in all the workshops simultaneously.

I loved watching them dive into the art making they’d only heard of in our pre-field trip meetings.

I loved watching students who weren’t typically friends bond without reservation over the processes they were sharing.

I loved watching them realize the arts are a viable career option, not only an activity to complete in the art room.

I was filled with joy watching my inspiring ”art clubbers” get excited in each new workshop and to spend a day learning processes I would’ve never been able to share with them if not for the help from Americans for the Arts and KRIS Wine through the Art of Education grant contest.

My appreciation for this program is immense. As the sole art teacher in our small district, I teach 185 students each year. While our wonderful school supports the arts by ensuring each child receives 70-80 minutes of art each week there are always budget considerations and limitations.

My classroom budget allows me to ensure my students have supplies to learn in my classroom all year long, and with this grant, I was able to do so much more! The field trip was a perfect day for my students, but what they didn’t necessarily realize was that I was able to stock our classroom with even more fade-free construction paper, larger quantities of paint, and new printmaking supplies (a favorite in my classroom), among other additions, were also funded by this wonderful contest.

My students live and learn in a small common district in Glens Falls, New York – Abraham Wing School District. With less than 200 students between Kindergarten and sixth grade it’s easy to assume that this district and community doesn’t offer much in the way arts exploration. In reality these students and families are beyond lucky with their resources.

The Shirt Factory was a great field trip for my students, and we certainly hope to return this year and make even more art. I’ve also planned to take my students to The Hyde Collection , a historical home holding art from some of history’s most notable artists, and the World Awareness Children’s Museum, a museum of international children’s art celebrating life of different cultures. These fantastic arts resources are all within walking distance of Abraham Wing.

I’m so glad to be able to show my students there is “so much art” inside our classroom, in our community, and around the world. I hope you explore your resources, both local and global with your children, your students, and your families so that you can also discover that our lives are better with the arts.

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