Visual Arts at Decatur

Artists in the Studio

Creativity begins in the art studio, but follows students out of the classroom and into their everyday life. Students who engage in art become successful citizens and lifelong learners — helping them to find their own voice, express themselves, and develop a strong sense of autonomy. In the classroom I am their guide and mentor as they problem solve and explore. I challenge students to add meaning, bringing their personal interests and experiences into their artwork.

Class Time Will Consist of Structured Play and Artist Driven Studio Work Guided by the Studio Habits of Mind

Students Will Explore 4 Different Types of Work in the Studio:

Skill Builders - Mini Teacher Demonstrations to Build New Skills often Practiced in Sketchbooks
Open Studio - Self Directed Art Time Where Students Choose Between Multiple Project Options (i.e. Origami, Free Draw, Step by Step Mini Projects, Spirograph, Sketchbook Assignment)
Passion Projects - Self Directed Art Projects with Full Student Choice
Formal Projects - Projects with Demonstration(s), Art History, Contemporary Artists, and Final Assignment that Incorporates Elements of Student Choice

Studio Habits of Mind

Envision

Learning to picture mentally what cannot be directly observed and imagine possible next steps in making a piece.

Engage & Persist

Learning to embrace problems of relevance within the art world and/or of personal importance, to develop focus and other mental states conducive to working and persevering at art tasks.

Express

Learning to create works that convey an idea, a feeling, or a personal meaning.

Observe

Learning to attend to visual contexts more closely than ordinary “looking” requires, and thereby to see things that otherwise might not be seen.

Reflect

Question and Explain: Learning to think and talk with others about an aspect of one’s work or working process.

Evaluate: Learning to judge one’s own work and working process, and the work of others in relation to standards of the ﬁeld.

Develop Craft

Technique: Learning to use tools (e.g., viewﬁnders, brushes), materials (e.g., charcoal, paint), learning artistic conventions (e.g., perspective, color mixing);

Studio Practice: Learning to care for tools, materials, and space

Stretch & Explore

Learning to reach beyond one’s capacities, to explore playfully without a preconceived plan, and to embrace the opportunity to learn from mistakes and accidents.

Understand Art Worlds

Domain: Learning about art history and current practice.

Communities: Learning to interact as an artist with other artists (i.e., in classrooms, in local arts organizations, and across the art ﬁeld) and within the broader society

Visual Arts 2026-27

Posts

Celebrating Our Decatur Artists: Artwork on Display in Our Community!

Over the last two school years, students have been involved in creating artwork with artist and Decatur Parent, Tulika Ladsariya, through the Artists in Public Schools Program. We are so grateful that our student artists get this opportunity to see such a glowing example of a working artist and learn from them during our programs. The artwork is currently being displayed in prominent locations around the city. We hope you will visit each location and share in celebrating these young artists!

5th Grade

Students participated in a hands-on in-class unit featuring cyanotype as the medium. They worked with Ms.Tulika to collect organic treasures from our front garden, arrange, and create cyanotypes on both paper and cloth. Their work is up at EXPO Chicago, Navy Pier for EXPO Weekend EXPO CHICAGO, April 9th to the 12th at Navy Pier. The class work is up for the month of April just outside of the Sable Hotel at Navy Pier!

Collective Creative Energies

4th and 3rd Grade Artists participated in a hands-on class, where students immersed themselves in installation art, cyanotype printmaking, fiber arts, and even poetry.

Their work will be up at the Design Museum of Chicago, on Randolph and Michigan. Opening Reception (in conjunction with CPS's All City Visual Arts Opening) - Friday, May 1st. Closing Reception for Artists in Public Schools on Thursday, May 28th from 5:30 to 7:30pm

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Student Artists also submitted their work independently. We celebrate the following students who will be on display in multiple art shows:

CPS All City Virtual Arts Show

Physical Exhibition: Reyna Ladsariya

Virtual Exhibition: Avelyn Frey, Edward Hynes, Korra Ng, Milena Raczka,

CPS Extra/Ordinary

Honorable Mention: Lily Wartick

Join us for the Art Show!

We are excited for you to join us for the Decatur Art Show during Report Card Pickup on March 18th. You will see exhibits throughout the school featuring each grade level. Come celebrate our student artists and their hard work.

No Art Conferences during Report Card Pickup

I will be out in the halls celebrating with the student artists and families. If you would like to discuss your student's progress in art I am happy to meet with you by appointment at a later date. I am available 1:1 via Zoom, by phone, or can give you an update over email. During the afternoon timeframe, we will be assisting the Junior High Students with Props & Set Creation for Mary Poppins. I look forward to connecting with you all soon!

Welcome Back to YOUR Art Studio!

Calling All 3rd-5th Grade Artists! We have an exciting program to offer you this fall in the Art Studio at Decatur!

This opportunity is open to 3rd-5th grade students on Wednesdays after school. Space is limited, so please keep that in mind when giving quality answers on your application.
In this hands-on class, students will immerse themselves in installation art, cyanotype printmaking, fiber arts, and even poetry. Through these varied mediums, we will explore ways to connect with the natural environment and practice slowing down in our fast-paced world. Working in teams, students will combine mixed media techniques to create a collaborative installation guided by artist Tulika Ladsariya in partnership with Artists in Public Schools — an organization that brings professional artists into CPS classrooms to co-create projects showcased in public spaces across Chicago.

15 students (grades 3-5) will be accepted
10 sessions
Wednesdays 2:45- 4 pm

Dates:
September: 17, 24
October: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
November: 5, 12, 19

Cost:
$100 per student

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: Thursday September 11th at 3:00 pm, decisions are released via email on Friday September 12th in the evening. The program will begin the following Wednesday.

Please direct your child to their Visual Art Google Classroom for the link to submit the form.

3rd Grade has been enjoying watercolor during their self-led Studio time.

Students in Junior High School participated in their first Skill Builder of the quarter. They were introduced to a Japanese marbling technique called Suminagashi. Students used two paint brushes with ink and a soapy water mixture suspended on the water's surface before laying a sheet of paper down. They had a great time with it!