Square 1 Art | Our Story

Our Story - where it starts with your art!

Promoting the accomplishments of the artist
Marty Reid, an elementary art teacher working for a fundraising company, had an epiphany in 2000. While she appreciated the process of replicating children’s art on a variety of products to raise funds for schools, she and her husband recognized this type of fundraising program was cumbersome for the art teachers, and was focused primarily on the dollars raised, and did little to promote the accomplishments of the artist.


The art fundraiser is a natural fit within the school curriculum
When her suggestions for ways to improve the program went unheeded, she set off on a quest to start a company that went back to square one — and Square 1 Art was born. Marty taught her team the rigors and challenges teachers face every single day and developed her system to fit them, not fight them. Using innovative techniques, they customized the program to promote each child — ensuring “every child felt like an accomplished artist” by having their artwork
published on something to share (regardless of whether funds were raised or not). As the company grew, the lesson plans improved and are the only art fundraising plans tied directly to national art education standards — making it a natural fit within the school curriculum.


Raise funds while building creative minds
When looking for a way to raise funds while supporting the arts and building up the creative minds of students, “Get back to Square 1 Art — where it starts with your art.”

How to create a Squicker Wall of Fame

No time to hold an art show?

We have a quick and easy way to display student artwork that is sure to pump up their self-esteem! What a great way to motivate families to participate in the elementary school art fundraiser!

Think about it!

How much do your students love their free gift of Square 1 Art Squickers?

(20 custom stickers of their very own artwork that they receive free upon their school participating in a Square 1 Art easy to run art fundraiser)

Plan ahead and create a Great Wall of Fame with each child's artwork.

Follow these three easy steps to creating a beautiful wall of art!

This idea was created by: West Bradford Elementary, Downingtown PA

Step One

Dress up your bulletin board.

Use butcher or kraft paper to create a dramatic back drop. Cut out shapes or letters to outline the stickers. This will keep the stickers in place upon applying.  Do you want your shapes or letters to appear 3-D? Use foam core board as a backing for the stickers.

Many stores in your neighborhood typically are willing to give away scraps.  When I was in art school I would go by the interior design shops and retrieve their old fabric samples to use in my art.

Step Two

Apply the Squickers.

Upon receipt of your custom catalogs and squickers that showcase the student's artwork, pull one sticker off of each sheet and apply them to the bulletin board.  Another fun idea is to involve the students in your creation.  Have them apply their own stickers.  They could also sign the back drop as they are choosing the perfect squicker location.

Step Three

Reveal the completed Squicker Wall of Fame

Hold a parent night and have the students present the wall. You could also showcase the wall during morning announcements or a pep-rally.

This is just another fun and easy way to showcase your pint sized Picasso's beautiful art masterpieces!

Do you have a picture of your Great Wall of Fame? Share it with us! #square1art or @square1art

Helping young Artists through their art-making anxiety

Here at Square 1 Art we do everything we can to make our fundraiser process more convenient for Art Teachers, Coordinators, and parents alike.

But what about when our actual Artists are having trouble?

Even something as exciting as our lesson plans can give your student performance issues. And some Artists are so free-spirited that the most awesome lesson plan can, to them, feel like cramping of their artistic style. Some stories from our customers have helped round out our perspectives on our processes.

While art in general should allow creative impulses to run free, Square 1 Art has our ‘Art Requirements’ in place due to the technology we use to turn those impulses into fun and memorable products.

We have been making artwork into keepsakes for thirteen years; we have a good idea of what works out best! Just like there are rules in the classroom or the art room, our guidelines are there to assist our Artists in achieving a final result they’ll be proud of. So it’s with reason that we have our requirements, and we hope your students will be able to work within them with this thought in mind.

Pride in your achievements is what we want to stress, so our Artists don’t stress! No one is grading or competing, but since our products and the artwork on them can last for a long time, it is important to be happy with your work. Some of the best advice I was able to pass along was, “Do something you'll be proud of. Artwork that you want to hang on the wall, point to, and say: that there is my artwork, I did it and I'm proud of it.”

My own mother is an art teacher, and she will tell you that following the rules is indeed important, but you’re the first person who needs to be proud of what you've done. We want to make sure that everyone involved with a Square 1 Art school fundraiser has the best experience possible.

Please let us know about your stories; we’ll be able to help each other out along the way!

Post by:

Julie Branch

Customer Care Representative

"J-u-l-i-e, Branch like a tree, that's me!" 

Quick, think of the best art teacher you know!

Sharing the National Art Education Association's post!

Take a few minutes out of your day to nominate the art teacher of your choice. Your nomination will make a difference in our future!

"Quick, think of the best art teacher you know! Who immediately comes to mind? Perhaps she/he was your cooperating teacher when you were a student teacher, or he/she was your mentor in your first teaching position. Maybe it is someone in your district who you can always ask for help. Maybe it is a teacher who always steps in when needed in any capacity in your state association. Maybe it is a veteran teacher who has taken on every state office over time. No matter the reason for your choice, think about nominating one of these deserving art educators for a national award. Individual members, state/province associations, and special issues groups can nominate members for awards by the deadline of October 1. You can find everything you need to make a nomination at http://www.arteducators.org/grants/NAEA_Awards_2014.pdf.

Visit National Art Education Association Elementary Division"

In Demand Careers - What's art got to do with it?

Great News!
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that art careers will grow as fast as average in line with other occupations. 

According to Artbistro,
listed below are the most
In-Demand Art Careers

• Graphic Design
• Multimedia Artist
• Photographer
• Fine Artist

You're sure to succeed if you pursue a technical art field.   I am also a huge advocate of school art teachers or art specialists as they are often called.  Being a former art teacher myself, I know first-hand what it's like teaching elementary school art lesson plans to children.  I can't describe the amazing feeling you get when you see a child's face light up as they express themselves through their artwork. A great way to get students excited about creating unique artwork is through Square 1 Art.  This easy to run school fundraiser gives them a reason to be creative and support the arts at their school.

How does one become creative?

That's a great question! Creativity isn't something that is learned.  Everyone has the ability to be creative.  Creativity and personal expression must be fostered in children for it to flourish in adult-hood. Some adults think to themselves, "I cant even draw a stick figure" therefore I am not creative. 

Did you know?

There are six art developmental stages that children experience before the age of 16.

When you were young did you ever have a chance to watch the clouds in the sky?  Weren't they the most magnificent masterpieces that you have ever seen!  Those white fluffy poofs of air would turn in to all sorts of grand characters!  As the clouds would move slowly so would your imagination and you would find many more animals in clouds!

You are born creative

It's learning how to use that creativity in adult-hood that becomes the struggle.  The great Picasso once said: "Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

What better way to remain an artist than to become one professionally!  Explore art careers in demand or...better yet...incorporate creativity into your current career!

We want to know...

How do YOU incorporate creativity into your career?

Leave us a comment.

Paint for a cause and make a difference

Painting in the park for a cause

I am originally from Honduras, a small and very tropical country in the middle of Central America. When I was in High School, every Saturday afternoon I used to meet in a public hall with other artists. We would paint, inspire and critique each other so that we could grow our talents.  We would bring our canvases, paint and brushes to the gatherings and paint all day. We were a group of all ages that shared the same passion; to create art. (Even my dentist attended, she was a pretty good artist.)

Raise funds by creating art awareness

Honduras is a third world country.  Therefore, it is in great need of the visual arts.  In 2000, we only had one public school of fine arts and it was located inside the installations of a museum. The school was in need of its own building and we needed to do something about it.  Unfortunately, running a school art fundraiser is not an option. That’s when we realized that we had to raise awareness and raise funds for the arts in Honduras.

Show off your art skills

Our group was led by a very well-known newspaper cartoonist, Dario Banegas.  After much thought and collaboration, we decided the best way to raise awareness for our cause was to paint in the central park where the public could see us create art. The day of the show we were surprised to see that many well know Honduran painters had joined the cause; we were even joined by the Honduran President at that time!

Educate to create awareness

We painted in the central park of San Pedro Sula the whole afternoon and many people came up to us very interested in viewing the works of art that we were creating. We discussed the arts and educated people who were completely unaware.

My artwork

As for me, I painted a small cottage in a country setting with big trees and a cloudy blue sky. I paint with a spatula because I love the 3-D effect of the paint on my canvas. The night was a complete success and it was a blast!

You too can make a difference

I wanted to share this experience with you because even though art is very popular in the United States, in my opinion, it is not as appreciated in other parts of the world.  We are the ones who can make a difference and spread awareness of the arts!  Whether its paint, pottery, sculpture…whatever your passion may be, the time has come to make a difference!

Blog by:

Stephanie Coplan

Account Manager at Square 1 Art

View her artist portfolio

The Art of Symbols

Symbolism

Using symbols in artwork and language has been a tradition for centuries.  Symbols date back 20,000 years ago to the cave paintings in Lascaux, France.

Easily communicate your thoughts and ideas 
Symbols provide meaning and help humans communicate.  Even language is a form of symbolism.  Every letter that we write or type is considered a symbol representing something.  Every doodle or drawing that we create is a form of communication.  We are expressing our thoughts and ideas through lines and shapes.

O say can you see?

One of the most famous and recognizable forms of symbolism is the American Flag.  The white stars against the blue background, along with the red and white stripes, portray freedom and independence from the kingdom of Great Britain on July 4th, 1776.  Today we refer to the holiday as Independence Day or the 4th of July.


How does the star spangled flag make you feel?

I feel independent, proud, and joy for my country.  Symbols can bring out many different types of feelings.  These feelings relate to your life experiences and your history with that particular shape.


Yowsers! Really?!


Your turn...




How do you feel?
Scroll through the artist renderings of the american flag below and write down the first feeling that comes to mind.

Artist: Keith Haring, American (1958 - 1990)
Title: American Music Festival - New York City Ballet
Year: 1988
Medium: Serigraph Poster

Source Rogallery

Description: Three Flags by Jasper Johns, 1958.

Displayed in Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.

Source: http://www.newyorkartworld.com/images/anycphoto/JasperJohnsFlags-400x263.jpg

Peter Max

"American Flag with Heart"

1999

Works on Paper (not prints)

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Paper

Source: http://www.artbrokerage.com/Peter-Max/American-Flag-with-Heart-34486

125 pound fiberglass American Quarter Horse sculpture

Gary Ward 

Source: http://www.pantex.com/news/blog/Pages/Horse-sculpture-reflects-site's-patriotism.aspx#sthash.i48WdaZ3.dpuf

Leoma Lovegrove

10' x 18' canvas

Remember 9/11

source: http://pineislandnews.com/Pine_Island_News_Blog/content/lovegroves-mammoth-art-exhibited-prime-area-rsw-airport

Pierre Riche

"Melting Flag"

2007

source: http://intlaffairs.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=132129525

Great job!  Bravo!
Take those feelings that you wrote down and contemplate them.  What life experiences contributed to your feelings? Now, incorporate them into your own artwork.  Post your art where we can see it on Facebook/Square1Art.  Go one step beyond and write up some children's art lesson plans about symbolism.

Your thoughts...
Do you have any creative ways that you teach symbolism to your kids or students?  Leave us a comment below.

Coordinate a school art fundraiser

Why should I run a school art fundraiser?
Money
Of course! Money is extremely important to schools, duh!
With all the budget cuts that educational organizations are facing these days the need for a fundraiser becomes more apparent.

Being a former art teacher, I had a colleague share with me that she only received $100 annually for her art budget. If you teach approximately 300 kids that only amounts to $.33 a kid! I almost fell out of my chair. How can any art teacher provide quality and intriguing art lesson plans on pennies a day?

That is where school art fundraising comes into play. Square 1 Art makes it easy to raise additional funds for your elementary or private school.  Create student excitement with our free sticker fundraiser where every child receives free stickers of their artwork.    Purchase high quality art supplies, kiln, paper cutter, or even take the students on a field trip to your local art museum.  This may be the only opportunity some children have to visit a museum.  Providing fun and interactive rewards to the students is key to the success of your art fundraiser.



I'm not an art teacher. 
What would I use the money for?

• Playground equipment
• Smart boards
• Computers
• School dances
• Parent involvement event
• School carnival
• Art night displaying the students artwork

No art in your school?

School art fundraising is also a great way to incorporate art into your educational curriculum.  Is your school able to provide the budget for an art teacher?  If the answer is no, we supply many easy to follow two day lesson plans on Pinterest  Teachers may teach these art lessons as a part of their daily activities   This gives the students a chance to be creative and think outside the box.  If the teachers have too much on their plate, as they usually do, California and Washington state use a service called the Art Docent Program.  Coordinating an art fundraiser is an easy way to pay for this program.

According to the Americans for the Arts, kids who are involved in the arts are:

 

4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.

3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools.

4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair.

3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance.

Art creation promotes problem solving skills, self-esteem, and thinking outside the box. Running an art fundraiser is a great way to incorporate art into the academic curriculum through interdisciplinary and multicultural studies.

Fun Fact

Did you know that schools and other non-profits raise $1.7 billion each year by selling popular consumer items.  Eight out of 10 Americans support these types of programs according to Wikipedia school fundraising.

What you would use the school art fundraiser monies for?

Let us know by leaving a comment

Guest Blogging

Are you a blogger? Do you love to write? Be a part of our team by letting us highlight you as a Guest Blogger on our new blog Back to Square 1!

What to write?  Anything related to art education, fundraising, art lessons, art advocacy etc.
Submit your article with resources to lisa@square1art.com to be featured!