August Feature of the Month - @theadventuresofanartcart

August Feature of the Month!

We are so excited to learn a little more about our featured Brand Ambassador @theadventuresofanartcart. Sarah is a 4th year art teacher. She teaches grades Pk-8. Sarah taught on a cart for the past couple of years and is now in a classroom! She inspires her students through creativity and art!

 

Follow: @theadventuresofanartcart

Q: Tell us a little about yourself! What is the inspiration behind your Instagram page?

 

Hi, I’m Sarah, I am an Elementary Art Teacher. This will be my 4th year teaching Art and I truly love it! Teaching Art just kind of just fell into my lap but I am so glad it did! I have a degree in Elementary Education but after Covid hit and it was contract time, I called my principal and asked if there were any other positions available. He said they were in need of an Art teacher so without hesitation, I said I would take it! Then once I hung up the phone I thought, “What did I just do?? I can’t teach Art!” I don’t have a background in Art History. So, I spent the better part of that summer learning everything I possibly could about Art history, artistic techniques and how to teach Art to kids. I knew that I would be on a cart (as we had no Art room) and would be pushing into the classrooms and have 30 minute classes so I also did a lot of researching to find tips and tricks to teaching art under these circumstances. And then I found Kwik Stix! I ordered a set over the summer and started experimenting with them and was absolutely amazed! Not only were they beautiful and vibrant but they dry in a minute and a half, so I knew immediately that they were going to be my favorite and most used product when starting my Art-On-A-Cart adventure!

 

I began my Instagram page (@TheAdventuresOfAnArtCart) to not only share the work my students completed, but to connect with other Art teachers (the Art teacher community on Instagram is amazing!). When trying to think of a name, I knew I wanted something a little funny but also self explanatory, so I went with @TheAdventuresOfAnArtCart because teaching 30 minute push in classes on a cart was definitely an adventure! I taught Art on a cart for 2 years and then last summer I was offered an amazing opportunity at another school...and it came with a classroom! Although I was sad to leave my previous school, I knew this was the right move. My new school is much, much bigger than my last (my average class size is 36, and some classes have 39 students), so that has presented its own set of challenges. Like how do you paint with 36 four-year olds!? Enter Kwik Stix! :)

 

Q: We have loved seeing your page grow, and all the amazing projects and activities you share, and we learn so much as you incorporate Kwik Stix into your classroom! What inspired you to want to be a Brand Ambassador?

 

Kwik Stix were an absolute lifesaver during my art-on-a-cart days; I really don’t think I could have done it without them!  And now even though I have my own classroom, I still incorporate them into so many of my lessons due to the extra large class sizes. There are very few products/brands that I could ever imagine being a Brand Ambassador for but there were so many reasons why Kwik Stix was the one. Their products produce amazing results and the kids absolutely love using them.

 

Q: What is your favorite product of ours that you have tried so far?  Can you tell us more about why you love this product, and if you have any tips or tricks when using it or favorite techniques? Is there anything in particular that has helped you blend creativity, play, and learning together with your projects?

 

Kwik Stix are hands down my favorite product! They are so versatile and can be used in so many different ways. I teach PK3-8th grade and every grade uses them in one way or another. I always purchase a few of each of the class packs at the beginning of the year and this year I’m hoping to add Magic Stix markers! Markers have always been my least favorite art supply (sorry!), as the caps never make it back on and they dry out so quickly. So I am super excited to try the Magic Stix since they won’t dry out and because they are triangular so they won’t roll off the tables! (You should see my floor after my PK-3 class uses markers...Yikes!)

 

Q: We love that you incorporate photos and videos of your activities on your page! What is one of your favorite projects you have created using our products? There have been so many great posts you have made, and we want to know which stands out to you! 

 

My students and I love mixed media projects! One of our favorite lessons was making symmetrical watercolor resist beetles. We used oil pastels and watercolors to paint the beetles and Kwik Stix for the background. The contrast and vibrancy of the Kwik Stix really made the beetles pop!

I found that Kwik Stix are also a wonderful teaching tool for the littles. I separate Kwik Stix into warm and cool color containers so that the students can not only see them, but learn to put them back in the correct container. One of our favorite projects to make doing this is warm and cool color ice cream cones. 

 

Q: What’s next for you? Do you have any exciting crafts or activities planned for the back to school months ahead?!

 

After teaching Arts and Crafts at camp at the beginning of the summer, I am now in relaxation mode (at least for a couple weeks). My first project every year is a school wide collaborative “Dot Day” project. I try to do something a little different each year but Kwik Stix are always a part of it. I am looking forward to to exploring Kwik Stix and texture tools with my Pre-K classes. Also, twice a year our 8th grade class paints the windows of our school, I am hoping to incorporate Kwik Stix and Wonder Stix into their beautiful creations this year. 

 

 

Check out the projects by @theadventuresofanartcart