Teaching

Art Classes for the Home Schooled in Rochester, NY

Introduction

Everybody is a teacher and a student. The point of taking a class in something is to have more than one person to learn from.

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Teaching Statement/Learning Statement

In my classes I try to create a situation where people are learning from each other and getting inspired by each other. I want people to ask questions: Of me, of the other students, of themselves and of the materials they're working with. What if...? I wonder what would happen...? Should I try...? How did you do that...? What does this do...?

Learning to work with a material, rather than imposing yourself on it, is primary. Observation, paying attention to your materials and actions, not going on "automatic" and of course, doing a lot of work are all requisites for being involved in the creative process. It is an intense and fun conversation, with a lot to discover about your voice and visual and material literacy.

About Jill Gussow, as Teacher

I have been an artist all my life. I have taken many art classes and have both a BFA and an MFA. However, I was raised by artists and most of my initial visual learning was done at home either at the kitchen table or in my father's studio.

My work utilizes many materials and mediums from photography to metal etching, but at this point I work primarily with fabric collage and paint. I'm inspired by cultures that create art using materials that are most in excess (Haitians making art from used oil drums) and by cultures whose visual arts and spiritual beliefs are intertwined.

I have taught both full time and part time at various universities in the area, most recently at the University of Rochester. I teach workshops at the Community Darkroom and at Visual Studies workshop and taught art for the Kids on Campus program at RIT and at Cobblestone School (5th thru 8th grade).