There’s nothing quite like the opportunity for unbridled creativity and expression that art offers, and that stands as one of the primary reasons art is taught in America’s school system.
In Houston, the task of exposing students to art and guiding them through its diverse set of elements and techniques is currently being handled by two women: Julie Allen and Terry Keller. Both are experienced educators who paid their dues, so to speak, teaching in general education arenas before eventually landing their dream job.
Allen oversees art classes for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, while Keller works with the older kids in seventh through 12th.
A Houston resident and graduate of Houston High School, Allen earned an education degree at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout. She’s in her 14th year with the Houston School District and third year of teaching art.
Prior to that, Allen taught first and second grade.
“During my college art classes, I realized I wanted to teach art,” she said. “When the position opened up here, I took it and was able to get my certification.”
Allen said the goal of teaching art to the younger set is simply to get their feet wet.
“It’s about exposing them to the different materials,” she said, “and giving them a chance to use different materials and to express themselves. We hit the elements of art pretty hard, like color, line, values and different shapes, and the kids learn things like hand-eye coordination and individuality.”
The materials kids get to try working with include different types of paint and paper.
“We do a lot of painted paper collage, and oil pastels and water colors,” Allen said. “As they get older and can stay focused longer, it’s more in-depth and more detailed.”
Regardless of age group, Allen enjoys being around the kids when they’re busy being creative.
“The best part is just watching them create and seeing their imaginations working,” she said. “It’s neat to see how fearless they are and how they just dive in and do it. Especially with the kindergarteners, some of the kids don’t have any experience with art, and it’s great to see them get comfortable with it and to see their abilities improve.”
At the middle and high school level, art class becomes more than just a new and different experience, and some students are there because they envision a career involving art. Some display high levels of talent that lead to significant rewards, like two recent HHS graduates who are currently attending the prestigious Kansas City Art Institute on full scholarships.
A Cabool resident and graduate of Springfield’s Kickapoo High School, Keller earned an education degree at Southwest Missouri State University. She has taught for 26 years, including 14 years at Cabool, and is now in the fifth year of her second stint in Houston, having taught elementary classes here for seven years before being at Cabool.
Like Allen, Keller more or less always wanted to be an art teacher, but common limitations prevented that from happening.
“At any school, there are several teaching spots in each grade,” she said, “but there’s usually only one art teacher, and they usually stay there until they retire. When this position came open, it worked out great for me.”
Some of Keller’s classes include students fulfilling fine arts requirements.
“I get a diverse group in those classes,” she said. “There are some kids who really love art and others just getting a requirement met. Those are big classes, and my goal is for everyone to maybe find out, ‘Oh, I’m kind of good at this, and I enjoy this.’ So, even if they become a doctor, writer or whatever, art can still be a part of their lives as a form of relaxation or expression.
“I see that happening, and it’s always quite rewarding.”
Other classes Keller oversees are electives for kids who truly want to be there. One level, known as “portfolio” (formerly Art 3), is a place where students actually produce a portfolio of work designed to be presented to potential colleges.
“They tend to be much more serious about what they do in here,” Keller said. “Some of the kids are so talented in so many areas, they end up going in another direction, but art is usually still a big part of their life.”
Houston’s middle and high school students work with all kinds of materials in art classes, including clay, ceramics, wood, wool, charcoal and various types of paint. Keller even raises sheep and at times brings in a spinning wheel and loom for students to use.
“Anything they want to do, I’m usually game if we have what we need,” she said. “And if we don’t, we’ll get it if money allows.”
One of Keller’s current students who intends to stay with art is junior Ben Hugenot.
“I want to go into something involving art, I just know exactly which element yet,” Hugenot said. “I’ve done wood carvings and charcoal (drawings), and this is the first year I’ve gotten into painting. But ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to be an artist. I’ve kind of stuck to it.”
A painting recently done by Hugenot now hangs in the office of Houston Schools Superintendent Scott Dill. Dill is a fan of 1960s music and “hippie art,” and the piece depicts the local high and middle schools in a colorful, whimsical 60s style, even featuring a tiger walking upright with a guitar slung over his shoulder and flashing a peace sign.
Dill said he foresees using his office as a means of displaying work done by students in the district –– not just art, but other forms as well.
“My feeling is the superintendent’s office should be a reflection of everything that goes on in the school district,” he said. “We have places ready to display essays and other work, and I want this to become a showplace for the best we have to offer in the district. I think that’s what the superintendent’s office should be.”
Keller said she is always impressed by much of the work produced by young artists in Houston, and that it’s somewhat of a shame that more people aren’t aware of the kind of talent that exists in the community. But each spring, the district’s annual art show allows the chance to gain that awareness.
“In basketball and other sports, you go to the games all season and music can perform all year,” Keller said. “In art, we create all year, but most of what we do isn’t shared until the show at the end of the year.”
This year’s art show will take place during the afternoon and evening of April 19.
“Anybody can come, and we’ll have work done by middle school and high school set up,” Keller said. “It’s always well worth the time.”
Work done by Houston’s younger kids can be viewed at an online student art gallery called Artsonia that showcases artwork from around the world. More than 2,500 pieces of Houston students’ artwork are published to the site, which can be seen by logging onto on Artsonia’s homepage and searching for Houston Elementary.
Parents can set up fan clubs for their child on the site, and invite family members to join. Anyone can leave positive comments about the artwork, and artists can post statements about their work.
Artsonia also has a gift shop where t-shirts, coffee mugs, magnets, and other items can be ordered with a child’s artwork printed on them, and 20-percent of the proceeds are donated back to the school’s art department.
“It’s a great way to share kids’ artwork with extended family and friends,” Allen said.
It could be said that if nothing else, art class gives kids a break from the world of words and numbers more commonly associated with school.
“I think it’s the most fun room in the school,” Allen said.
The best part is just watching them create and seeing their imaginations working. It’s neat to see how fearless they are and how they just dive in and do it.”