Belinda Adams | October 2019
Hometown: Canoga Park, CA
Major: Anthropology, B.A.
Q: How did you discover your interest in the arts and how did you know that it was something that you wanted to pursue professionally, as an artist or as a teaching artist?
A: I have been fascinated by the Arts since I was a child, largely thanks to my mother exposing me to so many artforms. It is a necessity of life for me, like oxygen. When I reflected on my artistic journey during my time in the VAPAE teaching sequence, I realized that sharing my art practice with others was the natural progression of my Arts journey. Practicing art got me through some of the most challenging experiences in my life, giving students their own toolkit for life is deeply important to me.
Q: Describe what the student artists in your VAPAE afterschool arts or arts enrichment program are working on and the process they’re using.
A: Right now we are starting our Dias de los Muertos lessons where student artists are creating decorations for their altar to honor ancestors. Including layering traced and colored images of their loved ones who have passed on onto decorated cardboard. As well as papel picado, which are traditional paper banner decorations.
Q: Why is an enrichment opportunity like this important for those participating? What do they gain?
A: I have the distinct opportunity to work in a multigenerational setting; and in this setting the possibilities for community building and technical skill development are expanded by the parent’s involvement. The parents get so involved in the artmaking themselves it sets a tone for the whole family and the love for the arts becomes a positive feedback loop that grows and grows. It is very cool to watch student and parent artists become more confident and opinionated about their art creation.
Q: Did you have an opportunity like this when you were a younger artist? If yes, how did it help shape your love of art? If no, in what ways could a program like this have helped you?
A: I would have adored having a program like this when I was a kid. I not only was thirsty for artistic techniques, but also a supportive creative community where I could thrive. MASA does all of this while also giving families an opportunity to bond through the artistic process.
Q: What do you personally gain as a teaching artist, arts facilitator?
A: It is deeply satisfying connecting with the wonderful group of students and parents at MASA. Watching them get more comfortable as people and artists is also profoundly rewarding. I know the skills they are developing here will be valuable in so many other arenas, and that knowledge adds to the joy of sharing these skills.
Q: What are the benefits to you as a student/graduate in the UCLA VAPAE program? Was this program a good choice for you? If so, why?
A: The UCLA VAPAE program was a safe community where I was able to claim my identity as an artist and educator. My professors demystified the lesson planning and implementation process from heady education theory to the logistics of teaching a unit plan we wrote to actual kids. The resource of a community of other arts educators to bounce ideas off of is invaluable.
Q: Are there any anecdotes from your time as a VAPAE Teaching Artist at an Arts Enrichment or Afterschool Arts Programs that stand out to you? Perhaps you had a breakthrough with a student or saw some particularly noticeable growth in that student through this program, collaboration etc. Maybe something surprised you or made you think about art or teaching in a new way.
A: The most exciting moment that I experienced at MASA was watching a young student artist be so thrilled that she knew how to clean the painting brushes that she jumped in and offered to help other students who were not familiar with the technique. Seeing the empowerment that artistic skills brings will never get old for me.
Q: What are your short-term and long‐term career goals?
A: For the next few years I plan to develop my skills as an arts educator through both hands on teaching and investing in professional development like the SEL Arts and Healing certification. I’m considering graduate school, but I am still looking for the perfect program to further my scholastic interests. I’m also in the process of creating an organization, The Art Nest, that supports arts educators by creating space to connect to each other and their art practice. My long-term goals of making quality arts education more available, accessible, and possible throughout Los Angeles and the World.