ArtsBanks’ group visits Rotary Club of Elkins
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Kylie Proudfoot-Payne, Emilee Goodman and Scottie Roberts Wiest visited the Rotary Club of Elkins to update the group on ArtsBank's current activities.
Originally formed in 1992 by a group of parents, teachers, administrators and volunteers, ArtsBank, Inc., is a non-profit artist residency program in Randolph County. The organization's goal is to provide more in-depth experiences, intensive learning in a variety of media, education enrichment, and act as role models for aspiring art students. The vision is to provide educational experiences that enable all students to think creatively, critically and analytically. These skills are valuable for students to learn as they become adults and contributors to the workforce. This is accomplished through the use of hands-on art activities.
Most recently, ArtsBank has had to contend with COVID. "COVID has changed everything and it means that ArtsBank has to still function and bring an art experience to Randolph County students in the classroom. It has taken more of an effort and we are simplifying it so that it can work in the new environment," said Wiest. "It's a unique program with a number of practicing artists."
Proudfoot-Payne has been a teacher with ArtsBank for thirteen years. "Teaching artists are different than art teachers. We are professional artists who go in with our artistic skills into the classroom. ArtsBank is special in its own way. When I talk to other teaching artists around the region, they say, 'Oh my gosh, you have a program for that!' and they are trying to develop programs like ArtsBank has had for thirty years."
Goodman is an Elkins based painter and screen printer who has been working with ArtsBank for four years. "I started working for ArtsBank right before the pandemic so I've gotten to see the evolution of it through the pandemic working virtually and going back into the schools. It's been really fun getting to take my skills into the classroom and see students evolve," said Goodman.
A key component to ArtsBank is flexibility. According to Proudfoot-Payne, "[W]henever we go into the classroom, I always sit down and try to come up with what is going to be the issue or the task this year." The idea is to take five lessons into every K-5 classroom. Some days, flexibility is required because of scheduling with the schools. Getting the lesson to the students is always a priority.
In recent years, the bank of artists has been expanded and includes Willa McWhorter, Sam McWhorter, Kiki Alba, Nevada Tribble, Jax McAtee and Akiko Endo, as well as Proudfoot-Payne and Goodman. "We present visual art lessons but we also do cross-curricular activities and experiences. The idea is that we're not replacing the art teachers, we're going in and doing something that the art teachers and the teachers in the classroom wouldn't be able to do on their own," commented Proudfoot-Payne.
Over the last few years, ArtsBank has created stand-alone packets and virtual lessons. One packet lesson that was created was built around the Monongahela Forest. There have also been some in-person lessons in the schools and arts supplies have been delivered to the students.
Currently, ArtsBank is active in every elementary school in Randolph County with the exception of Harman School; Harman School has an art teacher on staff to meet the needs of its students.
According to Goodman, ArtsBank has been able to bring quilting, music and dance into the schools. "We are able to do square dancing in the schools and bring a live band, usually a fiddle and guitar duo. Elkins has a very rich folk arts history and presence and we wanted to make sure students were exposed to that and appreciate their folk arts heritage," added Goodman. "Square dancing was a hit."
A recent project is the creation of an abstract tree installation at the schools with every student participating by creating a piece for the abstract forest. "Abstract art is nice for students because it takes the pressure off them to create observational art," said Goodman.
With the constant change in schools, ArtsBank personnel are working to develop next year's programs, working to give all the students a sampling of all the instructors so the students receive a broader spectrum of the arts in general.
A 30th Celebration of ArtsBank is in the planning stages. More information about the celebration will be forthcoming.
More information about the group can be found on its website https://www.artsbankwv.org, its Facebook page "ArtsBank, Inc." or by email at artsbankoffice@yahoo.com.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change -- across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club's Facebook page -- Rotary Club of Elkins -- or contact club president Kristie Vandevander at k_ware@yahoo.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.