5 Myths About the Skills Center & Register! Best. School Year. Ever.

Ember by Robert Simpson, Skills Center and Port Angeles High School Student

I also included an info sheet that Ron Craig, the director of the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center and I put together called the "5 Myths About The Skills Center." Scroll down for the article...

REGISTER. BEST. SCHOOL YEAR. EVER!

Here are some fun things that I'm lining up for the school year.

• Special Event planning - the tentative theme for this year is "Steam Punk Halloween"
• Professional Artist studio visits - starting with Jackson Smart - muralist and sign painter
• 2 or more field trips a month - either to view art galleries or to draw/paint outside - including Port Townsend, Sequim, Joyce, Neah Bay etc.
• Mini-mural painting with guidance from Jackson Smart - a professional sign and mural painter.
• Learning Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop Pro version curriculum
• Airbrush Mastery - beyond the basic stencil
• Drawing and painting people
• Light up your panting with light effects
• Your website or your life!
• Putting on your own show at the Skills Center
• Port Angeles Arts Council special event
• Superstar! Promotion and Media outreach

Last year Akamai Art, and the community donated about $2,000 worth of supplies - in addition to Perkins Funds of about $1500 and our annual budget of $1,000 for a total of $4,500 which means that we have materials that are... AWESOME!!!! New digital cameras, airbrushes, and paints - oh my!

All of the students who showed work at our spring 2013 student art show "Spring Loaded" sold work. Some sold more than one piece and others also were commissioned by the pubic to create original works of art. All that marketing that we did paid off - literally! And a shout out to the students from the 2013 Summer School for accomplishing the B.H.A.G. (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) of producing a professional quality comic book in three weeks - 77 pages of wild imagination.

You can register for classes either by stopping by the Skills Center (905 West 9th Street, Port Angeles WA 98363 (360) 565-1533 http://www.nopsc.org/)  and filling out the form, or through your high school counselor. Classes start Tuesday Sept 3rd, but registration is open through Sept 11th. 

Multi-Faced by Josh Watson, Skills Center student

What's great is that no matter what career path you choose - you will know how to communicate what you have to offer in a way that doesn't feel like being an "icky salesman." This can be applied to job interviews and being a leader in the workplace. Best of all - it means learning how to work with people in a way that is fun and builds organizations. Helps you to be the MVP of your company or the CEO of your own empire.

These last few weeks I've been reflecting and putting together new material for the school year. What worked? What didn't work? What could be improved? Should this be scrapped? Should that be added? How does a student know that they are making progress? How do I know? These are all questions that are revisited not only at the beginning, but continuously throughout the school year. It's how you get better. It's how anything is improved.

In education, there's this focus on "Get the paper/project/test done. Get a grade (hopefully a good one) and move on." I remember thinking as a student "Oh, I will be so happy to be done with this American History class. I will never have to deal with it again!" Ummmmmm. Guess what? If you are an American citizen - you are never done with American history. Because you are a part of it in the making."

As a student artist, I would think very differently. "I'm getting more accurate with drawing faces - and that picture of my sister looking serious really looks like her. How can I get a drawing or painting that really captures how she smiles without her looking scary?" I was never done. It was all about getting better. This is how things work in the real world.

Those of you who have taken my classes before know about how I incorporate a "Mindset" piece into the curriculum. Mindset is everything. With it you can accomplish anything. Without it, nothing can be accomplished. While letting go of the freedom of summer is difficult - there is something to embracing the change of seasons, and starting a new school year. 

Lighthouse by Emilee Spoon - Skills Center and Port Angeles High School Student

"People would not be so impressed if they knew how hard I work."

-Michaelangelo

In sports, many people believe great athletes are "just born" or are "naturals." This is not true for most of them. It's the mindset and working towards improving skills that gets them to the high levels of performance. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school varsity team, not recruited by his choice of college and passed over by two teams that could have had him for the draft pick. But he worked harder than his coaches had ever seen an athlete work - and became considered one of the greatest basketball players ever. This is true for art and any other skill or subject. 

Cosmic Relief by Chaz Stephens - Skills Center Student

Here's a video about Michael Jordan and his mindset
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n0w7F5hGYM

Instead of berating yourself for something that you didn't do well (I suck at __________! or I wish I hadn't done____________.) - can you look at it more from the perspective of where you can grow. (I can improve _____________. Next time, I can try doing ___________________ instead.)

What was something that you did last year that turned out great? Could you do something like it, but even better?

Is there a habit that isn't really working for you any more? Can you let it go or replace it with a better habit?

May you have the BEST. SCHOOL YEAR. EVER!

-Melissa


Melissa Klein
me.lissa@melissaklein.com    360.809.0083    PO Box 2272 Sequim WA 98382

PS - Please help out by passing on the word about the Commercial Art class and other Skills Center classes - let your friends know! Feel free to forward this email or give them my contact info. Many classes have openings, and if there is not enough enrollment, then the class gets cancelled (which would suck). Thanks so much!

5 MYTHS ABOUT THE SKILLS CENTER

Hi Everyone,

As an artist, I deal with myths and how they can reveal great truths. But there are truthful myths and there are false myths. The importance is knowing the difference.

While many of you know me more as a professional artist - I also teach at the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center in Port Angeles. Last year, I started a Commercial Art program at the Skills Center and over the course of the year I have gotten to know the other instructors in a wide range of fields - from auto collision to culinary to video production. They share a passion for their subjects, the students and a deep knowledge of their industries. Our facilities are state of the art, but in talking to people in the community - it is clear there are a many misconceptions about the Skills Center. 

Many people are frustrated by the education system. I've been frustrated by the education system - both as a student and as a teacher. Ghandi says "Be the change you want to see." For me, the Skills Center is the change I want to see. My only regret is that I didn't have an opportunity to take classes like these, it would have saved so much time, effort, and struggle. 

Ron Craig, our new director, created an information sheet I want to share with you to clear up some of these myths. We want a dialogue with the community about what we offer. 

Registration is still open - and it's not too late to enroll. It's a great opportunity for students who have completed 8th grade and are under 21. It's open to home school students and to people who are no longer in high school who meet the age requirements. 

Scroll down for more information about my class this year

Dragons in the Mist by Josh Watson - Skills Center & Lincoln Student

5 MYTHS ABOUT THE SKILLS CENTER
     
“The Skills Center Is Not Academic”

• Skills Center Students can earn Core Credit or College Credit while taking Technical Classes.
• Skills Center Students often work and study side-by-side with Peninsula College Students.
• Many people with college degrees go back to school for training at Technical Colleges similar to the Skills Center.  Why not get those skills in High School?

           

“There Are No Good Jobs For Skills Center Graduates”

• Our courses lead to industry certification.
• ·Many of our graduates go on to successful careers: International Chef, Composites Technician at ACTI, Composites Technician at Westport, CNA in Medical Clinics, IT Technician, Auto Body repair, Auto Body Painting, and many more.            

“Skills Center Classes Are Expensive”·      

• All classes are free with the exception of Cosmetology (fee to purchase your professional kit, which
• you keep.)
• Bus Passes are available for students who qualify. Inquire at the office or with the instructor.
• Free Tech Prep college classes (High School classes where you can earn college credits which means that you pay less for your college education)
• No College Loans to repay.

“I Don’t Have Time For Skills Center Classes”

• 3 time slots available: Morning, afternoon, and evening.
• Some classes offer part-time and independent study options
• Online learning options

      

“Education Is Out Of Touch With The Real World”

• All instructors have industry experience.  In order to become a Career and Technical Education Instructor, teachers have to prove that they have the real-world experience.
• Every Skills Center instructor has a committee of industry professionals giving them advice.
• The Skills Center provides hands on experience with industry tools. For example, Composites Technology offers a technology lab, CNC Router, composites baking oven, and an updated computer lab.

 

Can you afford to not do this?

 


From right: Rachel Catterson, Jeanette Dewey, Abigail Nicholls, Brandon Fudally

Ninja by Destiny Walters-Spencer - Skills Center and Port Angeles High School Student

Primal Scream! Commercial Art Class & Ka-Pow Comic

Lighten a Heavy Mood... Primal Scream!

Hi Everyone,

It's been a fabulous summer filled with art, horse training and camping. The series that I did for the library connecting art and literature was really well received - and there were plenty of great supplies left over that I hope they will use in the future. One thing that was great about it was the investment the Friends of the Library made in getting quality supplies - crow quill pens, colored inks and real manga paper. Here's a link to one of the presentations I did about heroes - thought it might suit you at this time of year as you are gearing up for school. If you were at the library - thanks! And please let them know if you would like to have more classes like it.

History of Illustration, Heroes & Techniques
http://prezi.com/_yml_zc3njmx/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share



Primal Scream
And... If you are bumming that summer is almost over... there is a solution: Primal Scream! Here's an inspirational video of little to no instructional value: Animals Screaming! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LTxZ2aNytc

Ka-Pow
My apologies - some of the people from my summer class didn't receive the student comic "Ka-Pow" - seems like I had a hard time entering in the email addresses - and if it's not perfect, it doesn't work. Please feel free to pass it along to your classmates or friends, or have them email me at me.lissa@MelissaKlein.com and I will send it to them again. I don't want anyone to be left out. Thank you so much for choosing to take this the class - and next year, I am planning on calling it something much cooler than "Artist Entrepreneur Boot Camp" -(yeeech!) I'm open to any and all suggestions - please. Who says that high school students can't achieve? You accomplished the B.H.A.G. of a 117 page comic book with professional quality in 3 weeks and....had fun in the process. Scroll to the bottom for download links.

Cooking up mural plans with Jackson Smart
I ran into Jackson Smart, who is on my board for Commercial Art - he's a professional sign and mural painter who gives me advice about what to do with the program. He's agreed to have the class tour his studio - and we are cooking up plans for mural painting as well as for student shows. Last year, all of my students sold work at their first show - and a couple of them also were commissioned to create additional paintings by the public.

Here's an article about Jackson:  http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010310189992


I'm looking forward to this next year of teaching Commercial Art! So while the end of summer is bittersweet - I'm happy to be embracing fall.

Best Wishes,


Melissa Klein
me.lissa@melissaklein.com    360.809.0083    PO Box 2272 Sequim WA 98382

PS - and if you are still down about the end of summer - and if the Primal Scream doesn't work, then try twerking! I'm talking especially to Team Bootylucious! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LTxZ2aNytc

PS - Click below for your pdf of Ka-Pow! It's a huge file - so if possible, use high-speed internet and you will need around 450MB of space. To make downloading easier - you have 2 options: the "big one" - with all of the pages or to download pages 1-58 and then another section of pages 59-118 in order to keep the file sizes smaller.

Ka-Pow Pages 1-58
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3254631/1-58%20KaPow%20Com%20Art%20Comics%20Summer%202013.pdf

Ka-Pow Pages 59-118
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3254631/59-118%20KaPow%20Com%20Art%20Comics%20Summer%202013.pdf

Ka-Pow Pages 1-118
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3254631/1-117%20KaPow%20Com%20Art%20Comics%20Summer%202013.pdf

Dragons, B-HAGS & Ropes - Oh My!!!

"Dragons, B-HAGS & Ropes - Oh My!!!"

"Golden Wish Dragon" by Melissa Klein

There is a tale of a Tibetan monk who was followed by a dragon wherever he went. This dragon tormented him and made his life a living hell. The monk tried moving to many different places, but always after a day or two, the dragon would appear and torment him. Finally, the monk said to the dragon "Open your mouth." The dragon opened his mouth. The monk went in. The dragon disappeared.

"A Good Mother - April & Hawthorne" by Melissa Klein

About 8 years ago, we adopted a pregnant, Percheron (draft) rescue horse from the pharmaceutical industry - that was a tipping point for many positive changes. About six weeks after we adopted April, (full name "April Hester Prynne - after the lady in "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne) she gave birth to Hawthorne. Even at birth, he was never small. And then he got bigger… 

 
"Hawthorne at the Awkward Age" by Melissa Klein

and bigger…. And…


"Hawthorne & Melissa" by Henry Paterson

I've been working on training Hawthorne - who is now considered a teenager in draft horse years. He tips the scale at about 1800+ pounds and his back is higher than my head. Training April was challenging, but she's a really easy horse for me - we think alike and when not certain, slowing down and petting works wonders. She's turned out to be a great trail horse - solid,  sensible and willing. Hawthorne - needs play, creativity, games, reverse psychology, and fun - which can be hard to deliver when I'm feeling unconfident.

"Hawthorne Sticks Out His Tongue" by Melissa Klein

"This dragon tormented him and made his life a living hell."

Hawthorne… has developed some bad habits due in part to my inexperience and in part to an inconsistent training schedule. And any bad habits he has - are my responsibility to work out. No former owner or past trauma to blame here… No finger pointing. One of those bad habits is if he gets bored during ground work, or if I push him too much, he just turns and bolts. It sucks! I try to stop him by jerking the rope, or if I can think quickly enough, have him turn around or do something different. But there's this moment where he turns, his massive butt bunching up and then he springs away like a runaway freight train and I am helpless to stop him. I've tried and have the rope burns and blisters to prove it. 

"The monk tried moving to many different places, but always after a day or two, the dragon would appear and torment him."

I've been working hard on this for the last nine months - and while there are a few days here and there that are missed - overall I am so much more consistent. He is more respectful - and has a better attitude and is willing to do much more. It happens less frequently, but there are still those times, where he turns and bolts. It happens usually just when I feel like we are "making real progress" and maybe ready take him off the property and out on a trail in the next week. Hopes dashed. Back to square one. Two steps forward, three steps back. And it sucks! Because until this problem is fixed, there is no way I would take him outside a fenced in area - the idea of him running into the street or over some hapless bystander is terrifying. 

"Finally, the monk said to the dragon "Open your mouth." The dragon opened his mouth. The monk went in. The dragon disappeared."

I had an "A-hah" moment. Train him to come to me when I let go of the rope. Let go of the rope on purpose. Give him lots of rewards, scratches and praise for doing so. Instead of the reward for him being when he gets to run away from me;  make the reward be to come to me. Try it at the walk, the trot and the cantor. Try it in the round pen, and then in the larger field. Try it on a 12' foot, 20' and 40' rope. 

Something shifted in doing this. It took only minutes to train him to do this. And while I haven't quite tested it thoroughly enough to take him off outside a fenced area - it seems to be working - at least on a 20' rope on an acre pasture. He comes more quickly to me now, even when he's at liberty. He seems more positive. I'm feeling good enough about the groundwork, to start riding regularily.

"Bright Star - Hawthorne" by Melissa Klein

For me, to go into the dragon's mouth was to let go of the rope. This made what I had wanted all along to happen - to have my horse want to stay with me. It enabled having more control through letting go.

In "Switch - How to Change When Change is Hard" by Chip and Dan Heath, one of the things that can galvanize people is something called a "B.H.A.G." which stands for "Big, Hairy, Audacious, Goal." Hawthorne is my B.H.A.G. - do groundwork without having him bolt away, ride him at the walk, trot and canter with confidence. Ride on trails with streams, bridges and through rough terrain. 

"Hawthorne the Big B-HAG" by Melissa Klein

What's your B.H.A.G.? What rope do you need to let go of?

 Please email me at me.lissa@melissaklein.com

Best,

-Melissa

Telling Your Story

Feature Article:

TELLING YOUR STORY

Ever had a situation where you felt un-heard and not respected? Ever challenged the status-quo and found yourself unpopular? Ever felt stuck in a self-limiting belief or felt overwhelmed with fear? Scroll down for some techniques to be heard, deal with fear and achieve your best result. 

Everyone needs a chance to tell their story. 

- Sam Keen "To a Dancing God"

So…. What's your story? 

We all want to be heard and we all want to speak in a way that others will listen. Many of the frustrations in life are a result of not being heard: a boss, a spouse, a child, a co-worker that "won't listen." 

I used to work for a woman who no matter how I tried to communicate that I wasn't happy with my job description - just didn't get it. She would give lip service or would simply try to "steam-roll" me into doing things that were incongruent with the direction that I wanted to go and my talents.

Ironically, I had a vision of being of greater service - but in a different way. She needed to plug in holes in the staffing and saw me as someone who was versatile, hard-working and who could be exploited. While there was a basic disagreement about what was needed for the organization - the worst part was feeling like my words were falling on deaf ears. We had different stories.

Does this story sound familiar? While the details are going to be different from experience to experience or from person to person - it's a familiar lament.

Is this the story that you want to be?

When I was going through this, my thinking brain was saying things like "Poor little me. A victim of a cruel boss." and "I'm going to starve!" "I won't be able to pay my bills and we will have to give up the horses and the house!" "I'm being difficult! I'm being a bitch! Why can't I just go along with her plan and be a nice girl?" 

Can you hear the victim story in this? Or the bitch? Stand up for yourself and have everyone hate you vs. be a doormat and be liked.

All through this, I was painting, creating some of my strongest work. Through the painting and using images, I was able to access messages from my unconscious about what was going on. And the messages I got from this process were very different. When I was creating this painting I was actually in a really bad funk that day - and was somewhat puzzled to have such a happy image come out of me.

And then there was the "A-hah!" - The dragon is a symbol that I've been drawing since childhood. And I realized that what was happening was the dragon was breaking out of it's shell, which is a hard process - but necessary. 

If a well-meaning person was tries to "help" a chick break out of the shell, by peeling the shell away, then the chick will die. The chick needs to develop their muscles by going through the process of struggling through the shell. Breaking out of the shell is a difficult and uncomfortable process - but it's necessary for growth. The larger dragon behind the baby dragon could either be read as a supportive powerful mother figure or as the baby dragon all grown up. Either way - a positive thing. The painting is called "Naissance" which means birth.

This painting helped me to not give up. This story helped me to hang in there. 

I kept talking and sending emails and phone calls and questioning the status-quo until - finally - I was heard! A higher-up in the organization read my proposal about what I wanted to do and I was offered a much, much better position working with people who understood my vision. 

Without the paintings - I don't know if I could have done it. Images helped to change the story from being a victim to seeing growth and accepting the uncomfortableness of change. That acceptance lead to being on a path of growth and to break out of those old paradigms and see them as shells that needed to discarded.

We all need to tell our story, we all want to be heard, but…. the most important audience for your story is YOU! 

When confronted with a difficult situation: 

• Ask yourself if this is the story that you want to be?

• Notice what images you feel attracted so - and what they might be telling you.

• Record your dreams, and if they are disturbing - look to what the symbols might mean - i.e. snakes not a bad thing - they mean power and healing.

• Pay attention to your language - does it sound whiney or point fingers? What would it take to rephrase some of those sentences to be coming from a place of strength? Write it down and practice it.

• Write your own happy ending. Hold onto it. Enlist positive friends to help you visualize it.

Thanks for reading!

-Melissa

PS - I'd love to hear any thoughts or insights you have around telling your story. Send me an email at me.lissa@melissaklein.com

me.lissa@melissaklein.com    360.809.0083    PO Box 2272 Sequim WA 98382  melissaklein.com

ARTIST ENTREPRENEUR BOOT CAMP - GRAPHIC NOVELS & COMICS

The revised, improved sign...

Artist Entrepreneur Boot Camp

Graphic Novels & Comics

Learn how to create art AND sell it!  Explore your creative side using a wide range of materials - from watercolor to acrylic to airbrush to collage to mixing it all up. This year's theme is graphic novels and comics - tell your story in pictures and know how to  publish your work in print and online.

Learn entrepreneurship skills using social marketing, selling online and in alternative spaces. These skills can be applied to any field - from rockin' the senior presentation to starting your own business! (even if it's not in the arts)

Completed 8th graders to age 21 who have not yet earned a high school diploma.  Students will earn .5 credit for high school.  Beginners welcome.

NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA SKILLS CENTER

905 West 9th Street Port Angeles, Washington 98363

Mon-Fri       June 25th-July 13th      9am-3:30pm

Submit form to Skills Center to register:  nopsc.org

360.565.1533 

Melissa Klein is a local artist and art teacher. She has shown in Philadelphia, Kauai and the Olympic Peninsula. Her artwork is in private collections, featured in books/magazines, and murals. Clients include the EPA, Makah Nation, City of Portland, North Olympic Library and the Kauai Children's Discovery Museum. She earned a BFA from the University of Pennsylvania (1990) and a Masters of Initial Teaching from Gonzaga University (2003). Her work is centered around mythology - both new and existing stories. She teaches Commercial Art at the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center in Port Angeles. The mantra of the program is "Art is a medium to learn business skills."

Art by © Melissa Klein - see store for details

YOUR PERSONAL MYTHOLOGY

& SYMBOL SYSTEM

Why do we need mythology in a modern world?

A Story.... Imagine a rider on an elephant. Our logical brain, the "thinker" is the rider. The emotions are the elephant. If rider tries to direct the elephant to a place where the elephant doesn't want to go, the rider will quickly tire from the effort and give up. We have had that experience, where in spite of all of the best intentions and the logical reasons to do (or not do something) we fail in some endeavor - whether it is weight loss, saving money etc. The elephant overpowers the rider and grabs the cupcake! Or buys the shoes! The key is to get the elephant and the rider to work together - where the powerful emotions are in alignment with the logistical talents of the rider. (paraphrased from "Switch - How to Change When Change is Hard" by Chip & Dan Heath)

 "Chukka Shoes at JC Penny" by Melissa Klein

How?

Mythology and symbols can access the subconscious brain in deep ways that can words simply cannot! The linguistic area of our brains is located in the frontal lobes, mostly on the left hemisphere, but the emotions which drive our behavior is in the deep, "primitive" areas of the brain - in the area of the amygdala. Visual images and symbols have a direct access to our emotions. We have emotional responses to color and symbols can encapsulate whole idea systems - for example, consider these symbols: a cross, a Star of David, a swastika. They all evoke powerful emotions, and have moved people to great lengths - for good and bad. 

"Making Waves" by Melissa Klein

But.... What if you are not a part of an organized religion or your religion doesn't use your symbol system?

I believe that people already know what is special to them. Many people have certain symbols that have had special meaning for them throughout their whole lives - it's often an animal, but it can be other things - a ladybug, a pair of shoes, a mermaid etc. We develop these symbols and attach strong emotions to them - and go to great lengths to find them. And when we do - we light up. Like, finally! I have found what I need! We are starved for those images. But sometimes it's hard to find just the right illustration of what is your symbols, and the right combination - that works with your environment and personal style. 

"Harvest" by Melissa Klein

I strongly identify with horses, but many of the images of horses are well, kind of cheesy. I still like them, but my tastes have evolved from being a kid, and in my 40's those horse posters just don't look good anymore in my living room (although the plastic figurines are still kinda cool!). 

 

"A Great Breakfast with Friends" by Melissa Klein

I want something with more depth that reaches beyond the beauty of the animals to what they mean - the freedom, strength, courage and wisdom that I have learned from them.  Luckily because I'm an artist - I can create the painting that I want to see, and often it feels like I am making the image that I need to see. These images help me navigate through my day and help reassure me during difficult times. Many times I've had someone buy a card or print of a horse and she will say "I don't even know why I'm have to have this! I'm afraid of horses and don't ride." When I point out that the for many people horses symbolize freedom - seeing her face light up with an "Aha! That's what it is." is just magic.

"Apex Rides the Sun" by Melissa Klein

Please tell me… What symbols and totems hold magic for you? I'd love to hear!

Thanks for reading!

"Dream Catcher" by Melissa Klein

"Art is a medium to teach business skills" COMMERCIAL ART CLASS New Offering by Melissa Klein

One thing about Skills Center classes is that if they don't have the enrollment, they don't happen - and I feel so strongly that I will be giving students the skills that they need to be successful in life. Especially since the Artist Entrepreneur Summer Boot Camp rocked and the students had a really positive response to it. Everyone felt energized by the work that they were doing. And, it was FUN!!

Click on this for a pdf of the flyer

COMMERCIAL ART

New Class offered at North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center
by Melissa Klein

NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA SKILLS CENTER (NOPSC)

905 West 9th Street Port Angeles, Washington 98363

Classes start Tuesday, September 2nd, 2012

Mon-Fri    12:30pm-3:15pm OR

Mon-Fri    3:30pm-6:15pm

    
Beginners Welcome!!!

Submit form to Skills Center to register:  nopsc.org

360.565.1533 

"What I wished I learned in high school."

When I graduated from college with a fancy art degree, I had no idea of how to make a living at it. Over the years, I've learned slowly, through trial and error as well as through taking marketing and business courses.  One thing that kept coming back to me through all of this is - "Why didn't I learn this in college? I could have learned it in high school even!" And it would have been so much easier!  

Skills for the "Real World"

Art is an effective medium to learn business skills because it develops personal expression and self-awareness, once the art is completed, presenting it and selling it in the marketplace requires all of the same skills sets that any entrepreneur needs to run their business. I tell students - "If you can explain your painting, then you can totally rock any interview." Students who completed my art class at Lincoln High School for example, the Fish on the Fence program with the Feiro Marine Center  tended to be better at presenting themselves and more professional - a critical skill for navigating the workplace and the "real world." Job opportunities for young people, (fast food anyone?) are limited in this area, so having entrepreneurial skills and being able to start their own business for many people is their best shot at earning a living wage. And many businesses, Boeing for example are stressing how they want to have a workforce that is creative and proactive. Art is a process of creative problem-solving.

Time to Develop Professional Skills

Having this class offered through the Skills Center where the classes are longer (almost 3 hours) gives time for students to develop both their artistic skills and products as well as learn how to sell the work that they create and run their own businesses. They are given the time to really focus and hone their craft to a professional level and interact with  community members and professional artists.

Eligible Students

Students entering 10th grade to age 21 who have not yet earned a high school diploma.  Students will earn 1.5 credit for high school in a semester. 

Training for both sides of your brain:

For many years, I have taught a combination of Special Education, remedial reading/Language arts and special education math. What I noticed was that the students who made the most progress with me - whether they were in Special Education or in regular education, were the ones who had me for an academic course AND an art course. It was because they were getting both sides of their brain stimulated and it showed in their test scores.

To learn more

Ron Craig, who is the new director at the Skills Center and Melissa Klein will be promoting the program and the Skills Center offerings during registration at Port Angeles High School on Monday 8/24 & Tuesday 8/25 from 8am-2pm. The NOPSC offers many other classes including: Culinary Arts, Composites, Digital Media, Cosmetology and Natural Resources. Visit nopsc.org for more information.

Click on this for a pdf of Commercial Art Flyer