Experience


My name is Kelly Harper-Nisbet. I am an artist and art educator.  Artistic creation has been a life-long passion. I have over 18 years of experience teaching art.  Although the bulk of my experience has been teaching younger children, I have taught students of all ages.  I believe teaching children the foundations of art is  very important for the development of skills that can carry over into all aspects of learning and creating.   

​Not only do I teach art, but I am also an artist. I have a studio art degree, and have participated in exhibitions and been commissioned to produce numerous works of art.  I set a very high standard for my personal work.  I believe that my knowledge outside of the classroom as a working artist is a valuable asset that I can use to further the success of the students.  
Picture
Title: "Big Fish. Little Fish"  
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Original size: 36" x 28"
Artist Statement:  This painting was created when I first moved to NC in 2014.  I was impressed with the city and was excited to be living in a new place.  The image of the Japanese goldfish was taken one afternoon, soon after the move.  I decided to make the image into a painting, enjoying the fluidity and movement of the shapes.
It has been stated, that fish will grow according to their environment.  True or not, I can relate!  In the little time I have lived in the area, I have grown spiritually and mentally with new opportunities, developing inner strength and confidence.  . 

Exploring    Creative     Depths

A   Lasting   Journey
I have a deep passion for the arts and believe the arts are important for a well-rounded education.  Many students discover their talents and interests through the arts.  Although each student comes to art with a different skill level, every student can be an artist.  Practicing an art, no matter how it is executed, promotes creativity that can be used in all aspects of life.  I believe that impactful learning comes from the process students experience in thinking and problem solving in having fun and experiencing joy, that every child deserves.  
Guided instruction is about setting expectations and developing personal learning strategies.  I feel that it is important for a teacher to understand each student so they can arrange lessons for the individual learner. 
Through experimentation and processing information, students can better understand lessons on a personal level.  If they can't see who they really are, they can't see their value in the world they live in. This awareness and understanding of their world can be processed through creative expression.    
Picture
   
Collaborative art as an addition to any environment is an important and aesthetic attribute, allowing students the opportunity to be part of the creative process as well as working with others in the school community. 


Integration of subject-matter is also an emphasis of lesson objectives.  When students learn through creative experiences, it can bring joy to any activity that is therapeutic as well as memorable.  The whole brain experience that is impactful!    
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"Every child is an artist.  The problem is to remain an artist as they grow up."
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                                                                                                             -Pablo Picasso

Student painting collage logo for ceiling tile for permanent display. 
Color mixing and color fractions, science and math integration.

Telling a future story!  Students need to think about the plan ahead and dream.  For those students who may not understand how to plan or make goals that prioritize milestones, the exposure within an environment to spark conversation is a start.  I like to have students work on art pieces that advertise college and career paths.  
Relief sculpture tile after learning about Lorenzo Ghiberti's "Doors of Paradise": Renaissance Period.
LEARNING WITH NO BOUNDERIES!
The experience of creative learning that  crosses over into diverse areas of curriculum allows for a learning community that is impactful.  Blending academic and creative focus can make connections with the understanding that are is whole brain experience for learning.