The Drawing Room.

Okay...so one thing to know about my current teaching assignment is, well, I work at an awesome school but...it's,well... older.  Ok, it's pretty darn old.  We just got a new building the other year but, well, I am still in the older section of the building and have to deal with issues that come along with that...but one thing that is a positive..they have moved teachers to the new building, leaving empty rooms...and I have made use of those.  Last year I turned the old ISS room into a resource room, a place where teachers could find (and bring!) items like plastic containers, and newspaper and msc. boxes.  (I will do a take pics and do a separate post on that, definitely would recommend that if you have the space.)  Also, the old cafeteria is now open for me to share with the band director.  We use it as a rehearsal/3D art area and area to display art and music projects.  It is kind of our showplace.

So where was I?  Oh yes, old building...but a chance to use space creatively.  This year the two classrooms beside me are vacant, so I set up one like a traditional classroom with the desk set in rows.  I figure this is a good breakout area for quizzes or formal presentations.  And the other classroom...well, I turned it into a drawing room. (below, put the cursor on the picture and drag fro side to side to see a pan of the space)

The newly created 'drawing room' is connected to my regular art room.

One thing about my art room...I don't have any windows.

Art teachers, I heard that gasp.  

Yep, no windows.  But not anymore!  Now I have created a space where I can have natural light.  My intention for this space is to use only dry media, due to the fact that there is no sink in the this particular room and the floor is carpeted.  I want to use this space for still life drawing and figure studies.

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...so excited to have some LIGHT!

I arranged the tables in a large U-shape with the intention of finding a sturdy table that I can place in the middle of the 'U', but also that I can move if needed for a standing figure.  This space will allow me to leave a still-life set up without having to worry about items being moved.  Also, it is a large room and this set up will allow me to move freely throughout the room, not only to monitor my students behavior but also to be available to help them with their work.   AND...I have natural light! I can't wait to test out this new drawing room!  

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A place to plan...

Another thing that I set up- a dedicated space for my short and long range planning.  

I feel like sometimes I get distracted at my desk with the computer being right there.  This empty classroom next door has a big desk (left) with plenty of place to spread out my calendar and art resources.  I think it will be a good option to have this area to escape to if I am having trouble focusing.  


I have worked in brand new classrooms, newer classrooms, old classrooms and really old classrooms.  Not every teaching space you get will be ideal. I have learned that sometimes you just have to make the best of what you have.   I may not have a brand new classroom, but I do have this opportunity to branch out and I think that my students will only benefit from this.  

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