Offered by Jim Peters, Art Academy of Colorado
Homeschool Moms played an integral role in the initial development of The Art Academy of Colorado. The neighborhood Homeschool Moms where I lived sought me out knowing that I was the Art Director for KDVR FOX31 in Denver. It was March when that knock came at the door. They said, “We know what you do, could you teach our kids Art?” I wanted to help but never considered teaching, though I mentored and instructed my staff artists every day. I gave it some thought but did not commit. In July, another knock on my door. Again, “Would you consider teaching the kids art?” This time I said yes.
I wrote my curriculum based on knowledge needed by those getting into the field of graphic arts. I was also a traditional artist and wrote for fine-art instruction.
Things were going along well. I enjoyed the kids and loved the wonder and excitement at the development they achieved and the process of learning. During the courses, I had many adults who approached me to teach them. I needed to seek out someone who could assist. Then along came an incredible fine artist, Judith Dickinson who found me by way of moving into Brighton. After getting to know each other and seeing common ground in many areas, I asked Judith if she would partner with me to teach adults. She graciously obliged, and so, it began. Then the news; about two weeks after we established our arrangement FOX sold KDVR. In short, they moved me away to KMSP in Minneapolis. I was forced to leave the school behind. Judith continued in my absence. She found the eyes and ears of city officials who admired the learning possibilities of the Academy as well as the contribution of art and culture.
At the end of my tenure with FOX; I was Art Director for 21st Century FOX overseeing 22 artists covering all of FOX owned and operated stations from New York to Los Angeles. I continually felt a calling back to youth and teaching design and fine arts. As I made plans for early retirement and my return to Colorado, I thought much about starting another school. Little did I know Judith had kept things going in Brighton. And then, incredibly, within a couple of short weeks of my return to Brighton, Judith found out via a familiar acquaintance that I was back. It was a chance conversation between my daughter and a friend who also knew Judith. As we met up again and reminisced about the old days, to my surprise, she invited me back to continue where I left off at the school. So now, amazingly, I am back in the throes of relaunching The Art Academy of Colorado with aspirations of bringing up future artists whose home is right here in the Arts Community we know as Brighton, Colorado!
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