Susan Smith

“Arts in Academics” is Smith’s innovative idea to introduce various types of art that many students in the school have never been exposed to. The school is in a remote part of the state so students often have to fly to the nearest city for opportunities to study in art classes. Through academic assignments, students will use watercolors, acrylics, chalks, and pencils to paint, illustrate, weave, and design projects to compliment their academics. The project will allow students time outside exploring their environment and animals they live around and become visually aware of details in nature. Students will use quality materials, have quality time to design, create, and produce their artworks, and showcase their work in their community. Smith hopes the program will benefit the students in reading, math, and science as art awakens parts of the brain used for those subjects and that the students’ work will demonstrate the commitment to excellence in not only academic subjects but also in fine arts.