Hey, Jude

Sorry, couldn't help but make the cheesy posting title. Anyways, I've heard a lot about this site this semester and didn't quite know what to expect. I was pretty pleasantly surprised. Actually, I really loved this site. First things first. The classroom is cluttered, yes. But in one of those magical cluttered but you can find what you are looking for ways. There are really unending art materials in there. I probably can't go into more detail without talking about Jude. Mr. Jude seems to have this whole crazy space organized and filled with materials. I was pretty sure I was going to like this site in the first 5 minutes we were there. Here's what happened: student needs canvas, Jude pulls out a canvas of a student who is no longer in the program and says to recycle it, student scoffs, Jude proceeds to give mini-lecture on the fact that you should not come to expect a pristine canvas in art or in life- that's simply not how it works. Beautiful. It is apparent to me that Jude has a wealth of materials in his classroom not because he has an enormous budget or mystery donors, but because he is smart and resourceful with what materials he does have. He was smart with his students, encouraging them to follow their own projects and ideas, all of which blanketed under the unit theme of beauty (for the upcoming gallery presentation). He also went on a rather large rant about American Indians- which he laughed and said we'd call him an eccentric in our follow ups for this class- but in all fairness they are making murals about the American west and the native populations.
I liked the mix of students. They were excited about making art, and using their creativity to head in their own directions. I also liked their relationship with Jude, asking questions about materials or procedures and cracking jokes.
All in all, once again this semester it all comes back to- the teacher makes the classroom.