Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - A cooperative program between future art teachers at Stephen F. Austin State University and area middle school aged art students recently culminated with a joint art exhibition at McMichael Middle School.

For the past several weeks, art students of McMichael art teacher Debbie Stetz and Woden art teacher Diane Harrell have been coming to the SFA campus for evening art classes conducted by SFA students enrolled in Art Development II, taught by Anita Powell, SFA assistant professor of art.

Approximately 15 middle school aged students chose to participate in the optional program. They worked in clay, batik and silkscreen; learned how to tie-dye; and made a group collage in the shape of Texas that will be mailed to a group of Texas soldiers in Iraq.

Stetz said her students benefited from working in small groups with peers who share an interest in the visual arts. "They would stop me in the hall to tell me what they were doing and how much fun it is,"

"In addition, the fact that the classes were in the SFA Art Building helped to demonstrate that art is not just a little craft time at school, but that it is taken seriously by others besides me," Stetz continued.

Powell said the program enabled her students to get practical experience in planning, organizing and conducting classes for intermediate level students. "They also learned what all is involved in putting on an exhibition--from designing the invitations and posters to hanging the exhibition and planning and carrying out the reception."