SOUTH BEND—How many people can say they have a mural of the Italian countryside in their kitchen that they made themselves? Yet Gloria Seitz, an artist and art teacher for over 30 years, can claim just that.
Seitz says that one of the benefits of taking art classes and being creative is that everyday details of one’s life become more interesting. Seitz says that students “can appreciate art and bring it into their home—how to decorate the home, what to bring in, whether to buy or make cards. If you have art, you bring more beauty into the home, and you have a stronger home life and enjoy life more.”
Her artistic talent was first noticed by her kindergarten teacher when she drew George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for Presidents’ Day. Later teachers continued to encourage her. A fourth grade teacher especially made art fascinating for Seitz. “My teacher tied art, creativity, and education together. She encouraged us to illustrate and have creativity. You can use art in learning, like when you’re studying the planets. You can illustrate the plants and figure out how to write about them to make them interesting.”
Her teacher went on to show Seitz perspective, which she continues to find fascinating today. The teacher set up a still life in the center of the room. The students sat in a circle around it and had to draw it from their perspective. Seitz was amazed by the differences in interpretation.
Seitz says that her art was also encouraged in junior high. “My peers would go, ‘Wow, how do you do that?’” Seitz remembers with a laugh, “When you’re in junior high and your peers say you’re good, it really makes an impression!”
Seitz believes that people are meant to be creative and that art does make a difference in the world. “When I decided to teach art, I wanted to live for God’s glory. At first I was not sure that I was going to make as much of a difference as a missionary or someone like that. But then it was revealed to me that God is the creator, and when we create, we fulfill part of us that God wants us to develop. Creative people are happier and more in touch with their Creator.”
Her early teaching experience was at various colleges and schools. One of her first teaching experiences was in college, where she mainly taught photography and graphic design. Seitz says it felt intimidating to instruct students only a few years younger than she. Seitz remembers, “Then my boss said, ‘You know everything they want to learn, and that’s how you qualify.’ I thought, ‘Well, if you put it that way, I am.’”
Seitz went on to teach in grade school settings. It was there that she developed her art program. After her move to South Bend in 1997, Seitz heard that there was a need in the home school community for an art teacher. She has taught in this setting ever since. Currently she is conducting 11 classes three times a week. These classes are split into three groups: ages six through 10, 10-13, and grades seven through adult.
Seitz says there are advantages to teaching home school students. Seitz says, “I thought I could be my own boss and have more freedom with hours. A big problem with public school is funding art supplies. When I teach on my own, I decide what to buy. I don’t have to think, ‘Oh no, I can’t get that, it’s too expensive’ or the school can’t afford it. I could budget into program and have fun and get whatever.”
She teaches three art class sessions in the school year. Each session runs for seven weeks. At the end of each session, all the classes’ art is displayed in the gym of Trinity Free Evangelical Church in Niles. Family and friends gather to admire the students’ work.
Seitz says that one of her favorite parts of teaching is seeing students become more confident in their ability. “I love seeing someone who thinks they can’t do art have a light bulb go on. A lot of students come into class thinking they have no ability. I love developing creativity to build into their lives and futures. I see it as a real privilege for generations after to have creativity and art."
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