Frequently Asked Questions…

Who is the teaching artist team?
Our teaching artists are just that…artists who love to teach! Sarah Conarro and Julian Bozeman are the lead teaching artists at The Painted Cloud (you can find their info under “Who We Are” on the homepage). Teaching artist Taylor Kennedy is leading the third studio room for summer 2024! Everyone that teaches at The Painted Cloud maintains their own practice, while bringing their experience and passion for art-making to the studio to share with young artists. Our team is versed in many mediums and experienced in experimentation with visual and conceptual art.

Will my young artist take something home every day?
No! Young artists engage in many ephemeral projects that emphasize process in the moment. Teaching artists develop these projects by interweaving vocabulary, real-world problem-solving tools, and community-minded concepts with art. Many of these projects are collaborative. During semester-long sessions, young artists work on cumulative projects and sketchbooks, which are featured in the end-of-the-semester art show! During summer, young artists compile reflection notes to share with their families each week and part of their processes are part of the summer collaborative video project to be shared at summer’s end.

What is process-based work?
Work focusing on the doing and the process, rather than the outcome. This method allows young artists to approach art in an open-ended, self-motivated, and experiential way.

What are the benefits of process-based work? Through doing, young artists learn and practice problem solving, experimentation, expression, innovation, scientific thinking, mathematical understanding and language development. Young artists gain confidence and feel a sense of competency when they create something based on their own ideas and efforts.

What processes will my young artists engage in daily? What’s the routine?
Every day young artists participate in Choice Time (i.e. open studio), Dialogue Time, and Project/Process Time. Young artists also participate in Critique and help with bettering the studio during Clean Up (aka ‘Bubble School’). The routine is as follows:: Choice Time // Story|Snack Time // Dialogue Time // Project|Process 1 // Lunch // Project|Process 2 // Critique // Transition // Story. In extended day, young artists work with tools that are better for an even smaller group, play games, and relax.
*Outside time: Young artists go outside to our big private backyard for story|snack time & lunch|play time. Some projects are also conducted in the yard. On weather days, we adjust the schedule to capitalize on when the weather is better outdoors! It is our belief that we all benefit from being outside with one another, so going outside is a priority.

What language will my young artist develop?
Through Dialogue Time, young artists develop an understanding of the word ‘dialogue’, what it is, and how to participate in dialogue. Through Critique Time, young artists practice how to observe, how to say what they observe, how to analyze, and, as they become older (ie upper elementary and definitely in middle school), what they think about what they are observing and why. Through Project/Process Time, young artists develop formal art language (look out art school!) as well as life vocabulary. Example art words: texture, rhythm, and balance. Example life words: serendipity, variety, persona.

What tools and materials are available in the studio?
So many! Tools include overhead projectors, a shadow screen, a chalk board wall, a screen printing set up, wall projectors, SLR cameras, natural dye set up, and more. Materials include acrylic paint, printmaking, drawing (various mediums ie charcoal, marker, etc), watercolor, sand, fabrics/textiles, collage, found objects, nature materials, and more.

How will I know what my child did each day?
The best way to keep up is to follow our posts and stories on instagram! Alternatively, we write a Family Prompt on the chalkboard each day…ask your young artists this question to get them talking about their day in the studio.

What is the ratio of young artists to adults?
The maximum number of young artists in the studio is 40 for three studio rooms.
For ages 4-5 years, the ratio is 1:6. For ages 6-7, the ratio is 1:9. For ages 8 and up, the ratio is 12:1.

What rooms will my young artist work in?
Young artists work in all three rooms throughout the week. For their morning project/process time, they get to work one room and following lunch they switch to the another room for their second project/process. Occasionally, we open the rooms to one another (they are connected by a big barn door). We also take advantage of the big beautiful backyard daily!

Questions about what to pack, pick up (early, late, etc), etc are above in the respective sections.