The process of putting together a capstone proposal is invigorating as well as trying and tiring.  It will pay off at the end of this road; however, I do not see the singular research project as a destination.  I see it as the beginning of more work just like it yet to come.  It is a quality professional experience the encourages personal growth both in the present and for the future.  I am a lifelong learner.

Environmentalism is a “concern about and action aimed at protecting the environment” and environmental is defined as “relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition.”  With these Oxford Dictionaries definitions, the threat imposed on the global environment by climate change causes one to consider the possibilities of such a catastrophic possibility.  Environmental art further develops the picture of the effects of globalization on climate change and ultimately humanity, growing environmentalism.

Click here to read my full research brief and to see my series of three artworks inspired by this research.

Take a look at this Artist PLC program proposal.  I put this program together for the purposes of encouraging continued art making and reaping the benefits of a strong collaborative art community.

This Artist PLC will bring together diverse creative and artistic people from the area.  It will be organized as a professional development PLC in which participants will grow personally and professionally.

The potential benefits of establishing this program are the strengthening of the artist community and the individual artists themselves.  This growth comes from collective energies and a unified mission of the proposed group.  These benefits are supported by research from DuFour (1998 & 2014), Foord & Haar (2008 & 2012) and Gillies (2007). 

Artist PLC narrated presentation, 2014

The week of summer studio, 2014 was the best studio course I've ever had; it's the only graduate studio class I've ever had, and it exceeded my physical, cognitive, and emotional expectations.  Additionally, the online preparatory work was outstanding, fun, and extremely helpful.  

I took Experimental Drawing and explored a number of drawing ideas:  collaborative art making, book making, performance drawing, partially uncontrollable drawing tools, collage, image transfer techniques, critique and reflection strategies, and diverse media (new, odd, and familiar). 

All of this drawing experimentation encouraged the relinquishing of strict adherence to preciousness as well as the developing of a comfort with unrequited expectations.  Scratching at ideas proved to be a priceless activity with immeasurable rewards in motivation, freedom, and inspiration.

Assessment History, interactive Glog, 2014

Amazing learning activity.  This interactive "Glog" offers a short and valuable history of assessment in art education.  Plus, it's aesthetically interesting and has numerous links to many different kinds of resources.

There are several key elements in the history of art education, but studying a brief history of assessment in art education was one of the more valuable professional development activities I have done.  

Understanding more about the background, foundations, and intentions of assessment has helped me design assessment plans and tools that offer the most benefit to student learning.  This study has also revealed explanations about the current state of educational assessment and its projected future.

SlideShare Publication of Artist PLC Program Proposal, 2014

Proposal for a multicultural art education unit and its project expenses, 2014

Annotated Bibliography, 2014

Annotated bibliography for a unit plan idea on a multicultural study unit that includes a student-made tile mosaic bench and student-produced video design, 2014, Taho