Featured Member: Karen Matheis

KAEA would like to start featuring members from across the state in semi-regular blog posts to share some of the amazing things happening in Kansas art education and to shine a spotlight on members. Our second featured member is Karen Matheis. Karen will be presenting a workshop at the 2015 KAEA Professional Development Conference at Pitt State October 8-10. 

 

I have been teaching elementary art in the Shawnee Mission School district since 1992. I am fortunate to work with students who are children, nieces, and nephews of students that I taught in previous years, which makes my teaching community seem like a family.

As a teacher, I encourage the people I work with to find their personal expression and explore possibilities of creative art making. I believe art teachers are unique in that we can create an environment where students can investigate and learn in meaningful ways.

We are in an exciting and changing time in art education. Technology is allowing amazing possibilities, and there are many directions and resources for us to choose from. The KAEA fosters the arts throughout Kansas. I enjoy going to the annual conferences and meeting people from all over the state of Kansas. It is important to have a professional organization that ties us all together.

I love teaching art to all levels and ages of students. Other teaching experiences include working at the acclaimed Lawrence Arts Center Preschool Arts Program as an undergraduate, and teaching adult art education in recent years.

My personal art making is very important to me. I am disciplined when it comes to working on my own oil painting I am represented by Blue Gallery in Kansas City. Blue is very helpful to me, both professionally, as well as critiquing my work.

Other things about me: I run six miles every day before school, and am an avid yoga and gym person. I am constantly working at time management, to allow for personal time along with the demands of teaching.

Come to my workshop at the 2015 KAEA fall conference where I will talk about strategies for personal art making while balancing family and full time jobs.

I am a Kansas native, and grew up in Overland Park, Kansas. I currently live in Lawrence, Kansas where I am an active supporter of the arts community.
I have a Master of Arts Education ( with undergraduate degrees in art and art education) from The University of Kansas.

Websites:
http://www.woodcuts.org<http://www.woodcuts.org/>
( My personal website)

http://bluegalleryonline.com/artists/karen-matheis/
( website for Blue gallery)

https://vimeo.com/128036556 documentary of Karen�s work

http://lawrenceartscenter.org/karen-matheis-chronic-city/
Newspaper review of a show from Last November at The Lawrence Arts Center

Workshop Description

Setting Goals for Personal Art-Making

Karen Matheis

Finding time for personal art making can be a challenge for busy art educators. Karen will present ides on how to utilize time and set personal goals. Group discussion will follow.