Annual art night brings out teachers’ creativity
A night of painting, food and socializing is just the way for Reagan’s extremely busy teachers to relax and unwind. For the third year in a row, art teacher Jennifer Willard led the annual holiday tradition of teacher art night.
Held on Friday, Dec. 1 and organized by Willard and the Reagan Social Committee, about 20 teachers gathered at Willard’s house prepared to paint a masterpiece, making it the largest teacher art night in Reagan’s history.
Willard discussed the art night with social committee chairs Anne Kennedy and Michelle Bennett. It was then brought up at the faculty meeting, and Willard sent an email looking for recruits.
Willard also sent out a survey to see which day and time would work the best for everyone, attempting to accommodate as many schedules as possible. She also gave options of paintings to choose from and picked two options for art night based on the responses. This allowed everyone to paint something different and something they liked. Nobody’s paintings were exactly the same, and all had their own unique flair.
“I am always impressed with everyone’s paintings,” said math teacher Tiffany Cain, who painted a set of ornaments featuring her family’s names dangling from a gift tag. “I love how Mrs. Willard provides a template, but when we finish, everyone’s painting is still unique.”
Willard’s goal was for everyone to leave with a painting they were happy with, and she succeeded.
“It is truly amazing how we can all start off with the same painting template, but they all end up looking so unique and beautiful,” Kennedy said.
One of the highlights of the night was the social aspect. Many of the teachers work in opposite ends of the building and almost never get to see the other teachers. The art night provided an opportunity for the teachers to talk and get to know those that they never converse with at school.
“I don’t get to see hardly anyone on the academic wing and vice versa,” Willard said. “It is just a fun way for all of the teachers to get together and hang out outside of a school-related setting.”
Willard’s assistance and expertise were greatly appreciated by those who attended the event.
“I get a little intimidated with the painting,” said career development coordinator Kristin Fulcher. “I am not the best artist in the world, but Willard is really fantastic. She helps you through the process and will also fix your mistakes, which is really helpful.”
Reagan has a fairly large faculty, so with an event like this, teachers get the opportunity to bond with their co-workers.
“I really enjoy the fellowship with teachers who I don’t know very well,” Cain said. “I rarely get to interact with teachers in different departments and on different halls unless we happen to have a shared planning period. This event provides a fun activity that we can talk during and get to know one another while we also create a piece of art.”
Overall, the event was a major success, with many of the teachers marking their calendars for next year.
“I am definitely planning on attending next year,” Kennedy said. “It is just so much fun and in the end you leave with something beautiful you created.