Graphic by VAPAE Student Designer Eileen Kim

AE 101: From Viewing to Engagement: A Teaching Artist’s Practice of Comics and Illustrations in the 
Photographic Archive

AE 101 students arranging their final comic strips during their last class. Photo by VAPAE staff.

In AE 101: From Viewing to Engagement: A Teaching Artist’s Practice of Comics and Illustrations, students simultaneously read, digested, and discussed theoretical texts about the political functions and limitations of archives, while creatively intervening on archival Richard Cross photographs from San Basilio de Palenque and the Mayan population in the 1970s of their choosing to create comics. In the process, students were challenged to think critically about the images they sourced while seeking ways to transform, uplift, challenge, or liberate the content they depict. Ultimately, students made beautifully creative comic strips that gave new life to archival images. With every assignment, lecturer Marta Valier and TA Ashley Hannah were impressed by their students’ creativity—artistically, narratively, conceptually—and grateful for the rich learning environment fostered by their work. 

AE 101: Strategies for Facilitation: Body & Voice Awareness for Teaching & Public Speaking

Two AE 101 students after their final presentation. Photo by VAPAE staff.

AE 101: Strategies for Facilitation: Body & Voice Awareness for Teaching & Public Speaking, empowers the next generation of educators to develop authentic public speaking voices by integrating body, voice, and personal identity. Throughout the quarter, students practiced storytelling, facilitation, and research-based public speaking to build confidence, efficacy, and presence. Their final presentations reflected profound growth and ability, with presentation topics ranging from ethnomusicology to the scientific likelihood of extraterrestrial life, each delivered with clarity, intention, and authentic self-expression. Lecturer Christine Suarez and TA Dave Boon found it inspirational to learn from students as they refine not just their messages, but the embodied and intentional expression of identity through which they share them. 

AE M102: Introduction to Arts Education for Multiple Publics: History, Theory & Practice   

AE M102 students painting during a class activity. Photo by VAPAE staff.

For their final projects, AE M102 students reflected on their experiences in the course through a written Arts Education Philosophy Statement and a Creative Reflection in the medium of their choice. Throughout the course, students were regularly challenged to reflect creatively on assigned readings, and worked on animations, paintings, videos of music performances, and even wearable art as a way to respond to different pedagogical concepts. These methods of responding highlighted the expansive ways the students will engage with their own students one day and encouraged them to think outside the box. Students demonstrated their prowess within their primary mediums of study while also showcasing a wide range of artistic experimentation and willingness to try new forms. Lecturer Robin Branch-Scott and TA Andrew Child are excited to see the many ways students choose to reflect on their first quarter in this sequence! 

AE M192: Arts Education Teaching Practicum: Preparation, Observation, and Practice

AE M192 students during their last class of the quarter. Photo by VAPAE staff.

Students in AE M192 finished the quarter by completing their school site visits and observations, and practicing teaching their planned arts curriculum to each other. The artistic talent of these ten students combined with their passion for facilitating creativity in education is incredibly inspiring. Under the guidance of lecturer Dr. Lora Cawelti and TA Kate Stone, students prepared for their Capstone Teaching projects by creating a beautifully generous and caring space for sharing and imagination. Everyone is incredibly excited to see what winter quarter brings them! 

VAPAE relies on and is grateful for any and all support to help us maintain our mission to train the next generation of teaching artists and provide quality arts education to Title I schools throughout Los Angeles. Any amount is appreciated to help our program thrive. Check out our Giving Page to learn more.