Interview with Mr. Blais

• Where did you go to college?  Undergrad – CCSU.  Grad – Wesleyan University

• Why did you choose to teach at Tolland High School?  At the time there were limited options.

• What classes do you teach?  Photography, Photo Seminar, AP Studio Art, Drawing

• What do you think makes the THS Art Department different from other high school art departments? The strength of our foundations program in addition to the variety of 2-d and 3-d studio art courses offered and the fact that our art teachers are all working and practicing artists is very unique.

• What advice would you offer students interested in taking art courses at THS?  After THS?  Art fills the spirit and nurtures the soul.  Art communicates with all people from all socio-economic, political, religious and ethnic backgrounds.  Art is the universal language of the world.  “Real art makes people feel human.” – Janet Fitch

• Contact Information:   tblais@tolland.k12.ct.us (860) 870-6818 ext. 216

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Interview with Mrs. Malchow

• Where did you go to college?  Undergrad – Southern CT State College, Grad - Uconn

• Why did you choose to teach at Tolland High School?  Tolland was in tough shape when I went here in the late 70’s.  I wanted to share my love of art with all students not just the upper level children.

• What classes do you teach?  Sculpture, Ceramics, Jewelry, Art Foundations

• What do you think makes the THS Art Department different from other high school art departments?  Our art department has high expectations for all students.  Our program is more advanced than most high schools and offers more in depth opportunities to explore the medium.

• What advice would you offer students interested in taking art courses at THS?  After THS?  Listen to the lectures.  Apply the knowledge.  Take risks and don’t be afraid of mistakes, learn from them!  Explore an idea.  I feel the same for both during and after your attendance at T.H.S.

• Contact Information: hmalchow@tolland.k12.ct.us (860) 870-6818 ext. 224

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Interview with Mrs. Roe

• Where did you go to school?  Bachelor Fine Art: Uconn, Art Education: CCSU

• Why did you choose to teach at Tolland High School?  The administration and teachers at Tolland were wonderful during the interviewing process, and after I had a chance to work with the students, I knew it was the place for me.

• What classes do you teach?  Art Foundations, Drawing, Painting, Commercial Art

• What do you think makes the THS Art Department different from other high school art departments? The art instructors have a wealth of knowledge about their field, they are practicing artists as well as teachers. In addition, the program offers comprehensive courses that many schools don't provide.

• What advice would you offer students interested in taking art courses at THS?  After THS? Take the courses seriously and don't be afraid to express yourself. Art is a very rewarding and challenging field...one that I would encourage any student to explore, the world needs more artists!

• Contact Information:       mroe@tolland.k12.ct.us (860) 870-6818 ext 222

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Student Interviews

• What do you like best about the Tolland Art department?

-- Often we are encouraged to explore, either with the medium or the idea.
-- I like that the staff is very willing to give up their time to help you, as a teacher, mentor, and an adult you can look up to.
-- It builds students up technically, emphasizes individuality, explores a wide variety of media, and leads one down a path of success.
-- The art teachers have a great background and offer advice that will maximize your potential as an art student.
-- The Tolland Art Department allows students to express their individuality through their work.  It allows students to learn more about themselves through each line, speck, and each and every mark.

• How do you feel that you have benefited from the art courses provided by THS?

-- They helped me to improve my artistic abilities, define my personal style, and understand art.
-- My technical skills have improved immensly since my freshmen year, all of the basic classes have built up my skill to get me to where I am now.
-- I’ve dealt with a considerable amount of stress.  Art courses have given me a release, a way to vent any frustrations.  The chance to practice art has changed my life for the better.
-- They have broadened my definition of art.  

• How has your appreciation of art changed since taking an art course?

-- I’ve learned that it’s not the appearance of the piece that matters, it’s all the energy and emotion and deep thought that gives the picture beauty.  I appreciate being able to see that now.
-- I feel that since taking art classes I have a greater appreciation for what it takes to be an artist and also I am able to appreciate the greatest fine artists.
-- Instead of seeing a picture as a picture, I see it as a work of art with lines, values, and color schemes.   I started dissecting the artists thought process and technique.
-- It has made me pay better attention to detail and have an appreciation for how art is made. .  

• How does your newfound knowledge of art impact the way you have started to plan for the future?

-- I have been inspired to become an art educator.
-- I want my job and my work to be creative.  I want to keep art in my life.
-- I have been deciding where to go to college and I made sure that the schools that I look at have a good art departments.  
-- I’m not sure where I’m going or how I’m getting there, but at least now I can see a world behind the lines. If I don’t make it, at least I can live my life realizing there is more than what people think is real.  I guess that’s all I’ll ever really need.

• Are there any classes you feel should be included in the course selection?

-- There should be Drawing II or Painting II, different levels of the existing classes.
-- Cartooning, Illustration.
-- Design, Illustration.  
-- I would like to see a class dedicated to art theory.

• What is the best advice you could give an incoming art student to be successful?

-- Follow your teacher’s advice to the extreme for at least one project, even if you feel that it infringes on your personal style.  It will make you a better artist even if you decide you don’t like it.
-- Try to appreciate all the time and effort art takes and that you will be happy in the end if you just try hard.
-- Experience everything that is handed to you.  Take every class, go to galleries, and take classes in Storrs or the University of Hartford.
-- Listen to the art teacher’s advice and do your homework because it can only help you.
-- Don’t care about what the line looks like because that’s not important.  Instead concentrate on the feeling and energy you put into that line and you may find a true appreciation for art.

Tolland Public Schools