There is nothing more wonderful to me than witnessing that moment when a “light turns on” in a child’s eyes as a new concept is grasped or a personal discovery is made. Our mutual enthusiasm for art making is an instant bond. With that rapport, trust is built as well as a willingness on the part of the students to try something new, to persist through difficulties, and to learn from “mistakes”. Kids love to figure things out, and with guidance, will joyfully rise to meet creative challenges that engage and hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As a visual arts specialist working with children from Grades K – 12, it brings me great joy to share this dynamic, creative process with students. An explorer by nature, I encourage experimentation with a wide variety of art media and techniques, igniting a sense of wonder and helping quench the innate thirst for self-expression while bringing new life to core classroom curricula including language arts, science, math, and social studies. I work closely with teachers to clarify goals and objectives and strive to develop arts integrated residencies that inspire and support successful student outcomes. Participating teachers will also have the tools they need to implement the lessons in their own classrooms.
Beth Marcil has been a professional visual and teaching artist in Hawaii for over 30 years. After graduating from the Ringling College of Art & Design, she took 3 months off to ride her bike across the U.S., a wonderfully challenging and life-altering adventure. Before moving to Maui in 1985, she was a senior illustrator and creative director for Kaplan Press, a publishing company specializing in educational materials for children. An explorer by nature, Beth is always experimenting with new media in a wide range of approaches. Painter, papermaker, and mixed media artist, Beth is a part-time visual arts specialist at the arts integrated Pomaika’i Elementary School on Maui, and has taught art at Seabury Hall, the PTA Art programs at Ha’iku and Kula Schools, CanDo! At the MACC, and the Hui No’eau Visual Art Center’s art programs for children and teens at-risk. Her artwork is in collections worldwide and is published in Hawaii by Island Heritage and Pacifica Island Art.
The Artistic Teaching Partners (ATP) Roster is an adjudicated directory of Hawai‘i professional teaching artists qualified to conduct in-depth residencies in educational settings. Each artist or arts organization has a page in the directory with contact information, a short bio, and an artist statement. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts draws from this roster for arts education programs including Art Bento at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum and Artists in the Schools.
