A Sit-down with Mrs. Sokolowski

Walking through the main lobby of MHS, many students rush past the incredible art showcased on the walls. To increase the circulation of this outstanding artwork, Madison Dodger Online has decided to showcase some students’ work on the website. MDO sat down with Mrs. Sokolowski to learn more about her and the artwork of MHS students.

MDO: Does the artwork of the students get put into art shows? If so, when are these art shows?

Mrs. Sokolowski: Yes, we do submit the student’s artwork into exhibits and shows. These shows happen throughout the school year and are varied every year. Some of the ones we always participate in are The Blackwell Street Artists High School exhibit, The Congressional District Art Show, and our own district wide end of the year art show. We also display student work around the halls at MHS, in the Madison Public Library and at local churches and businesses. Often, we have special exhibits celebrating topics like poetry or MLK Jr. day.

MDO: What inspired you to become an art teacher?

Mrs. Sokolowski: I have always loved to create! Even when I was really little I always loved making things. I loved art in high school and was voted “Most Artistic” in my high school. After studying Fine Art in college at The University of Delaware I worked in marketing and PR for a while. I did enjoy the job but my office participated with an organization called LEAP to help local kids learn design. Once I started doing that, I knew I really wanted to teach young people about art and how to express themselves using visual art.  So, I applied to Teachers College at Columbia University and was accepted and went back to school to study Art Education. It was one of the best decisions I ever made because I love teaching young people about the language of visual art. I have taught in a museum, in an elementary school, and in high school. Every day each of my students continues to inspire me and I am reminded that I love teaching art!

MDO: What is your definition of art?

Mrs. Sokolowski: To me, Art is anything that moves you.

MDO: What are three things that you want your students to have learned once they leave your class?

Mrs. Sokolowski: That’s a tough question because there are certain techniques I want the students to learn when they leave each of my classes. For examples, when they leave my Painting class I want them to understand the basic use of watercolor and acrylic paint. But, besides all the technical aspects of art making I guess I also want them to know:

• That sometimes the process of making art is more important than the product. Mistakes are part of learning and growing as an artist.
• That the act of creating something with your hands has value that reaches beyond just a career in the visual arts. Learning craftsmanship will go a long way in life!
• That self-expression takes courage and self-awareness and that your art can help you make meaning out of your perspective on the world.

MDO: What is your favorite aspect of art?

Mrs. Sokolowski: I love that it opens doors for everyone. If I assign a certain project, each student can find an entry point into that project based on his or her own life experiences. Even if everyone is working on the same assignment, no two pieces will look the same because everyone sees things slightly differently. Art really allows us to celebrate our diversity.

There is a quote I love by the painter Edgar Degas that is perfect – “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see”.

MDO: What is your favorite color?

Mrs. Sokolowski: BLUE!! All shades of blue! It always has been and I think always will. I love blue.