In Play and Creativity in Art Teaching, esteemed art educator George Szekely draws on his two classic volumes, Encouraging Creativity in Art Lessons and From Play to Art, to create a new book for new times. The central premise is that art teachers are not only a source of knowledge about art but also a catalyst for creating conditions that encourage students to use their own ideas for making art. By observing children at play and using props and situations familiar to them, teachers can build on children's energy and self-initiated discoveries to inspire school art that comes from the child's imagination. The foundation of this teaching approach is the belief that the essential goal of art teaching is to inspire children to behave like artists, that art comes from within themselves and not from the art teacher. Play and Creativity in Art Teaching offers plans for the study of children's play and for discovering creative art teaching as a way to bring play into the art room. While it does not offer a teaching formula or a single set of techniques to be followed, it demystifies art and shows how teachers can help children find art in familiar and ordinary places, accessible to everyone. This book also speaks to parents and the important roles they can play in supporting school art programs and nourishing the creativity of their children.

About the Author

George Szekely is Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Art Education, University of Kentucky, USA, and is currently President-Elect of the National Art Education Association for a six-year term beginning May 2015. He was named a National Treasure by the National Art Education Association and presented with the honor of becoming a Distinguished Fellow. For his lifetime contributions to art education, he received the Victor Lowenfeld Prize and the Emanuel Barkan Award.

Reviews

"George Szekely is simply a master at this topic - unparalleled in the field of art education. Play is a refreshing topic - so important in child developmental theory as described by Vygotsky and Piaget - that such a text could very well promote a dialogue about the destructive qualities of policies that emphasize 'drill and kill.' This book could easily reignite a dialogue in both the field of art education and general education about the value of imagination."

R. Barry Shauck, Boston University, USA

"George Szekely offers a unique and useful guide to explore connections between play and art making encouraging teachers to get in touch with themselves as artists and apply what they know about play through art as teachers."

Rikki Asher, Queens College, City University of New York, USA

"Play and Creativity in Art Teaching is all about implementing Picasso's well known statement: 'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.' Whereas Picasso merely hints at a direction, George Szekely draws us a detailed map we can use to guide young artists to meaningful life-sustaining Art."

Frank Asch, children's book author and illustrator

"Come sit on the floor with George Szekely-a teacher of teachers, an enthusiastic student of children's art, and a great mentor to all who would keep the joy of play in their lives. This delightful book brings together his best thoughts for parents and teachers to support play, learning, and creativity for their children and students."

Katherine Douglas, co-founder of Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) and art teacher for 37 years

Book Information
ISBN 9780415662529
Author George Szekely
Format Hardback
Page Count 178
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 408g