Art Residencies, Author Visits, and Professional Development Sessions
Jennifer Stables, B.F.A., B.Ed., Certified Therapeutic Arts Practitioner and Artist in Residence
Instagram: @jennifer.stables
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With experience as a classroom teacher, Alberta artist Jennifer Stables offers unique and comprehensive school art residencies, author visits, staff workshops, and professional development sessions. She is a certified Therapeutic Arts Practioner and designs projects and lessons that engage students in creative thinking and personal expression.
Jennifer began teaching for the Calgary Board of Education in 2005 as an AISI Learning Leader (Art Specialist), and later as a Reggio-inspired classroom teacher in kindergarten, grade one, and grade two. She has worked in leadership positions within schools, providing guidance in Inquiry Based Learning, Reggio-Inspired Principles, Documentation of Learning, and Arts Integration. Jennifer has led countless professional development sessions for educators across Alberta on the subject of Art and Reggio-Inspired Education, including a full year of professional development sessions for early childhood educators in the Medicine Hat School District. She served on the board of directors for the Calgary Reggio Network Association as both a director and as President. Recently Jennifer completed the Therapeutic Arts Practioner Program at the Canadian International Institue of Art Theapy.
Jennifer has been providing art residencies to schools since 2013. Through her art residencies she strives to create meaningful art experiences for students while building teacher capacity to integrate art into the curriculum.
Art Residencies
Jennifer Stables has experience working with a wide selection of art materials and techniques. These include (but are not limited to): watercolour painting, acrylic painting, oil pastels, chalk pastels, sketching, art journaling, papier mache, print making, wire sculpture, assemblage, pottery (hand building), plasticine, print making and mural making.
Jennifer works with teachers and administrators to develop school-wide residency programs that suit the needs of their school development goals.
Drawing and Painting:
Painting techniques include colour mixing, building texture, glazing, creating depth, and creating form. Painting materials include tempera, watercolour, acrylic, watercolour pencil crayons, and ink. Drawing techniques include sketching, use of perspective, hatching, cross-hatching, pointillism, shading, and contour. Drawing materials include pen, pastel, coloured pencil, and charcoal. Jennifer often teaches a mixed media technique that combines both painting and drawing.
Sculpture
Sculpture is the creation of three-dimensional works of art. Materials used to create sculpture include clay, papier-mache, plaster, plasticine, sculpy, and wire. Through sculpture students learn the design principles of form, function, balance, and space. Jennifer also teaches pottery through hand building techniques.
Jennifer offers firing services at an additional cost to school that do not have a kiln.
Relief Sculpture
Relief sculpture is the fusion of painting and sculpting. Like a painting, a relief sculpture is designed to hang on a wall, yet elements of it are sculpted and come forward from the base. Materials include papier-mache, clay, plaster, and found objects.
Mixed Media and Assemblage
Mixed media refers to the combination of 2 or more art materials in one piece. Assemblage is the arrangement of found objects to create a work of art. The possible materials for these art forms are truly limitless. This art form is especially relevant when teaching about waste in the world as it gives students the opportunity to create art by repurposing material that would otherwise be thrown away.
Author Visits
Jennifer has written and/or illustrated over 16 books. She provides author visits to schools across Alberta.
Professional Development
In addition to her residencies, Jennifer offers Professional Development Sessions for teachers and staff. She meets with administrators prior to each presentation to discuss staff needs and school goals, and tailors her presentation to respond to these needs. Sessions are available as 1-2 hour presentations, half-day workshops, or full day workshops. Topics include:
- Art media exploration- An introduction to the art media of your choice and how to use it in the classroom (clay, watercolour, pen, charcoal, graphite, printmaking, collage…)
- Jennifer offers tips and techniques for using a variety of art materials in the classroom with students. These hands-on presentations are a wonderful way to overcome anxieties or concerns about introducing new materials to students.
- Art Journalling- Art journals can be used in a variety of ways– to explore curricular topics in math, language arts, and science, or to express feelings and experiment with techniques.
Contact Jennifer Stables
For a list of available dates, or to book a residency or professional development session, please contact Jennifer at jennydaledesigns@gmail.com.
Teaching Statement:
I believe children are competent and eager explorers, and must be provided with opportunities to demonstrate their ability to think creatively and critically. By taking the time to listen to their theories, and by taking their ideas seriously, we create an environment that allows children to take risks as learners and expand their understanding. Art is a powerful tool for engaging students, exploring ideas, and expressing emotions. When art techniques and materials are integrated in a meaningful way in the classroom, it becomes another language for children to use. My goal as an art teacher is not to “decorate” the curriculum, but to “uncover” the curriculum through meaningful experiences with art and materials. Each person, at any age, has the ability to express oneself through art. By working alongside classroom teachers, I demystify art and show teachers how they can continue to use techniques and materials with their students on a daily basis.