Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/93284
"The technology alone has opened up new possibilities and given me momentum to rethink some of the lessons that I do." Additional space allows Harris to give students opportunities to watch adults creating art. He has allocated a white board area on one side of the room as a revolving faculty art gallery. Every two to three weeks a featured faculty artist works on the area. "The kids are able to see their teachers struggle with their art, and that is a great teaching moment," he explained. Students also witness the artistic process as they watch Harris, a nationally respected professional artist, work on his paintings in the mini art studio he has set up in one corner of the room. The new space has transformed eighth grader Hannah Chow's art experience. Hannah, who has been passionate about drawing since her lower school years, has gone from visiting the art room once a week outside of class time (which would entail a trip to the fourth floor of the upper school to obtain an art pass, a return trip to the middle school to check in for recess and then back to the art room for the remainder of the period) to working on her art almost daily. "I now have time not only to work on my ongoing projects but also to just experiment with different types of art," says Hannah. This time is invaluable for her as Hannah will be the first middle school student to have her own art show at Latin this spring, part of Russell Harris' long-term mission to turn the entire second floor of the building into an exhibit space that highlights middle school work. In the meantime, middle school artists have found a new home in room 256. "It's a safe haven where I can go to get my creative juices flowing," Hannah said. "It's a place where I am comfortable and I feel like I belong." l – Evelyne Girardet "I now have time not only to work on my ongoing projects but also to just experiment with different types of art." – Hannah Chow Hannah Chow '16 comes to the art room during recess to work on her painting. Latin School of Chicago 19