American Mixed Media
Grades 3 & up
From amber waves of grain to city skylines, America has always been a canvas. In this studio-style class, students explore the rich tradition of American art through hands-on mixed media projects — think collage, clay, weaving, embroidery, painting, pop-ups, paper mache, printing and dioramas inspired by iconic American artists and movements. Through intentional instruction and guided practice, students will develop real artistic skills while telling their own uniquely American stories. Every project builds toward a beautiful gallery display at our end-of-year Heartwise Showcase — where their creativity, growth, and artistic voice will be celebrated by the whole community.
From amber waves of grain to city skylines, America has always been a canvas. In this studio-style class, students explore the rich tradition of American art through hands-on mixed media projects — think collage, clay, weaving, embroidery, painting, pop-ups, paper mache, printing and dioramas inspired by iconic American artists and movements. Through intentional instruction and guided practice, students will develop real artistic skills while telling their own uniquely American stories. Every project builds toward a beautiful gallery display at our end-of-year Heartwise Showcase — where their creativity, growth, and artistic voice will be celebrated by the whole community.
The class is taught by Ms. Therese. Ms. Therese holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Art from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She spent several years working as a creative director, bringing a strong foundation in design, creativity, and visual storytelling to her teaching.
After transitioning to homeschooling, she guided her daughter through a full K–12 education, graduating two years ago. This experience deepened her passion for individualized learning and creative expression. Ms. Therese now teaches art to students from kindergarten through 12th grade at a private school in El Monte, where she works with a wide range of ages and skill levels.
She is dedicated to creating a joyful, encouraging environment where students feel free to explore, experiment, and grow as artists—and she finds just as much delight in the process as her students do.
