April 1, 2009

Students mix service learning with art making in Guatemala

The week-long service-learning trip had students creating art lessons for their Guatemalan community school partner and preparing for it through readings and discussions that focused on service, arts education, multiculturalism and social justice

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VCU undergraduate and graduate students joined their instructor and a recent graduate in art and theater education for a spring break service-learning experience in Guatemala. Through their three credit course titled “Art and Transformation: The Mayan Arts Program,” the class mixed arts based service-learning with art-making. Students created art lessons for their Guatemalan community school partner and prepared for it through readings and discussions that focused on service, arts education, multiculturalism and social justice. In this photo, Community Engagement Service Learning Teaching Assistant April Shorter, center, is surrounded by local fifth and sixth grade students, who are showing off their artwork. Photo provided by Jan Johnston, adjunct instructor, Art Education Department.
VCU undergraduate and graduate students joined their instructor and a recent graduate in art and theater education for a spring break service-learning experience in Guatemala. Through their three credit course titled “Art and Transformation: The Mayan Arts Program,” the class mixed arts based service-learning with art-making. Students created art lessons for their Guatemalan community school partner and prepared for it through readings and discussions that focused on service, arts education, multiculturalism and social justice. In this photo, Community Engagement Service Learning Teaching Assistant April Shorter, center, is surrounded by local fifth and sixth grade students, who are showing off their artwork. Photo provided by Jan Johnston, adjunct instructor, Art Education Department.
The VCU group also met with women in the village. In this photo, April Shorter offers a papermaking demonstration. The group spent a week in Guatemala in March. Photo provided by Jan Johnston, adjunct instructor, Art Education Department.
The VCU group also met with women in the village. In this photo, April Shorter offers a papermaking demonstration. The group spent a week in Guatemala in March. Photo provided by Jan Johnston, adjunct instructor, Art Education Department.