From the beginning art has played a large part of man's life. From primitive cave drawings to individuals such as Monet, Botticelli, and Dali, artists have in one form or another worked to express themselves through their art. Art at Mid-Prairie schools under the guidance of teacher Erin Kirchhoff is no different. Under her capable tutelage, she introduces and encourages students to create their own interpretations of the world around them. One way this is accomplished is through an STP art class held twice a month for middle school students.
Though students are not required to participate in STP art, and in fact are invited to do so in a number of different ways, few refuse and those who do attend are clearly in their element when it comes to demonstrating their creative side in a variety of ways. When asked why she was involved in this STP art class, student Jenna Hochstetler stated, "I'm in STP art because first of all, I love art. It's really fun stuff, and it's art you feel like you can do at your own speed. I like pastels and paint and it's great that I get to work with them in this STP class." Haylee Marner, also enthusiastic about her participation in this class stated, "I really enjoy art and I thought it would be a great opportunity to do something extra that I might not get a chance to do in a regular art class. I especially like working with clay and pastels the best. But really, all of it is fun!"
With approximately 20 students in her middle school STP art class as well as teaching at the middle school, high school (where she also teaches an AP art class) as well as guiding an after school program with 4th and 5th graders, teacher Erin Kirchhoff is kept busy meeting the needs of a variety of ages and talents in her classes. With a BA in education and music from Wartburg College, and a masters degree from Graceland University Mrs. Kirchhoff is uniquely qualified for her position of art teacher within the Mid-Prairie School District. In addition to her educational background, Mrs. Kirchhoff also comes from a family of educators herself, stating "I knew I wanted to be an art teacher in Kindergarten! I never wanted to be anything else." When asked about her personal preference when it comes to artistic medium, Mrs. Kirchhoff stated, "my favorite medium began as drawing and painting but photography began to develop as an art form at the end of my undergraduate years at Wartburg." A four-year teacher at Mid-Prairie she finds unique ways to incorporate art within her student's life. Community service is one way Mrs. Kirchhoff has chosen to do this by engaging her high school students in projects which bring their art from the classroom and into the community demonstrating not only their talents but their connection to the community as well. Though a big challenge is to reach each student, encourage them, working with and understanding the varying levels of her students, Mrs. Kirchhoff rises to the challenge and considers it simply a part of the teaching of art.
Student Rachel Zierke displayed an eye catching creation inspired by London based British/American artist Monroe Hodder, an artist who is inspired by energy in the world around her resulting in pieces that are abstract in design weaving her experiences within the world into her works of art. Creating a work of art beginning with a geometric repetitive structure brings to mind minimalism but that's where the resemblance ends. Using layers of oil paint applied with a variety of tools, including but not limited to, a palate knife or brush, Hodder works with her creations until the surface is brought to highly tactile quality. As she continues, colors are often applied over other colors, creating as much a statement of the artist as her signature form of art as stripe after stripe are formed. STP students displayed their versions of Zierke's work showing how their own personalities were brought out within their pieces creating similar yet different interpretations of Hodder's style. When asked about her emotional connection to her creation Rachel stated, "At first it was totally different. It was more like Monet, with softer, smaller streaks. Then I decided to make it bolder. The areas that are red and yellow symbolize to me a restaurant my parents recently opened in North Liberty called "The Fireside Grill" and I got a lot of inspiration from the theme of the restaurant."
As I departed the classroom, students were well on their way into their next project of mixed media art, an art which simply said is that which more than one medium is combined. Using items such as found objects along with traditional media such as chalk, paints, the written word and graphite, the artist strives to give meaning of ones life experiences through his/her creation. Watching these students at work, it was clear that not only are they learning new artistic techniques through their talented teacher Mrs. Kirchhoff, but they are learning to reach within themselves and find inspiration that they might not have realized was there without her careful guidance.
These students are very fortunate indeed to have such a teacher who can not only educate them about various styles of art and artists but who can help them create artworks that are true expressions of their innermost selves. STP art is an excellent addition to the Mid-Prairie educational experience and Mrs. Kirchhoff, is the sort of instructor who is not only talented but inspired by her students to help them reach levels they never dreamed possible. Mid-Prairie is truly fortunate to have both art and educator within the system and those who experience not only STP art courses but other art courses taught by Mrs. Kirchhoff are fortunate to have an instructor who truly cares not just about her courses but her students as well, something that is a true asset to the Mid-Prairie school system.