March is an exciting time to be an art teacher….the weather is warming (hopefully), children are in the groove and finished artwork is starting to accumulate.

All the work you’ve put in all year is about to bloom!

Depending on what you like to focus on, here are a few events to celebrate this month:

• Women’s History Month

• Youth Art Month

• Read Across America March 2nd

• St. Patrick’s Day March 17th

• First Day of Spring March 20th

We created a March project guide for you to download and get a head start on upcoming art project plans.

Spring Art Projects

While St. Patrick’s Day is probably top of mind, this is also a good time to finish up with any winter projects and start thinking about Spring. Children are ready for a hint of color and I bet you are, too.

• Paint Like Monet Waterscape

• Easy Watercolor Flowers

• St. Patrick’s Day Project

• Watercolor tulips 

Our members in The Sparklers’ Club are enjoying a Spring Art Bundle focused on green growth, rainy weather and the first blooms of the year. We added components of printmaking and SEL (social and emotional learning) into the bundle so you can introduce exciting subjects and techniques at the same time.

If you are looking for other MARCH-Themed art activities, here are a few ideas to toss around…

• Recycling

• Natural Ground Composting

• Spring rains

• First bulbs and blooms

• Food for insects, butterflies and bees

• Women Artists, Explorers, Scientists, Thought-Leaders

Spring Art Show Prep

Art shows are a LOT of work. I don’t care how organized you are, or how many volunteers you have, the sheer agony we art teachers endure to make these shows happen is because we care so darn much.

I certainly remember many times when I worked my butt off to create the most beautiful art show only to have just a few parents show up. While this can be completely defeating, try to remember this:

Your students will see the show and that’s why we do what we do.

So my biggest advice is to keep things very simple. 

We often over-think the extravagance of what we have to do because we feel that the show is a reflection of us. But by keeping things simple, especially if this is your first rodeo, you will not only survive with energy to spare, you’ll be able to work out the kinks and logistics in which to build upon.

So start the process now and do a little at a time to keep the workload manageable. 

Creating Art Portfolios 

If you haven’t started creating portfolios, you still have time. Doing so helps selecting projects for the art show easier.

And last but not least…. Let’s take a moment to celebrate our March Birthday Artists who have given the art world so much beauty….

• Piet Mondrian March 7th

• Yayoi Kusama March 22

• Vincent Van Gogh March 30th

Sparkle on,

Patty