I taught for eight weeks at the Saturday Arts Lab (SAL) at SUNY New Paltz during the Spring 2025 semester, working with a class of 17 students between the ages of 10 and 12. Our sessions took place in the Smiley Art Building, a college-level studio space stocked with materials for drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media projects. I arranged the classroom using large group tables positioned so students faced one another, encouraging conversation, collaboration, and shared problem-solving. This setup supported both whole-group discussions and smaller peer interactions, allowing students to comfortably engage with each other’s ideas while working independently.
Teaching in New Paltz, a town known for its artistic culture and creative energy, added a unique layer to the experience. The college setting gave students a glimpse into what their creative futures could look like. How exciting!
