High school students who take four years of Arts score 100 points higher on the SAT

The Arts teach the skills essential for success in the global marketplace: risk-taking, out-of-the-box creative thinking, team problem solving, excellence as the standard and academic discipline

Students who are involved in the Arts have improved self-esteem and are less likely to skip school or engage in disruptive classroom behavior

Students who take Art have improved attention spans, increased interest in school and foundations of success on which to build

Participation in the Arts promotes tolerance for other cultures, Art is about working together, about communication, about bridges and connections.

 

June, 2004

The Country Shop - A children's art center in Gadsen, Alabama

The Art Shop is an excellent example of both the value of art in education as well as the rewards of mentoring young people in creativity and expression.
Ms. Pat McDaniel has taught community art classes since February, 1980 when her gallery and studio, The Country Shop, first opened.
Consistently since then she has taught 3 to 4 classes weekly with numerous children attending.
The students work in a variety of media including; pencil, pastels, oil paints, acrylic and watercolors, some have gone on to pen&ink and scratchboard.
The greatest reward has been to experience the way many of these students have excelled in their careers, going on to receive scholarships in art or graphic design and accepting awards in Art Camps and children's exhibits. Ms. McDaniel encourages and advises her students in portfolios for presentation to higher education art programs and has facilitated college professor to become advisors for these students.

A few of her students have been special needs children who excel in the art field. One child, 8-years old now, was a "slow" learner in academics but is most creative and imaginative in her drawings and paintings. In a story familiar to all art instructors this student now writes stories and illustrates them with her art taking awards for her endeavors.

Ms. McDaniel has been involved with the Gadsden Art Association for many years and has served as President of this association. She has also served on the board of The Gadsden Museum of Art, works with children at art camps, demonstrates at schools, and has served as a judge for many shows. She continues to pursue her own art career locally and nationally.
"It is very rewarding for an adult to come up and introduce himself and say he once took art from me, or to have a previous student come in and introduce their children to me." Ms. McDaniel recollects, "Many come back to visit often and remember some of the things we talked about or advice I gave them. I believe my choosing to teach children has been one of the greatest successes of my life."                        
  To contact Ms. McDaniel by Mail: The Country Shop
                                                               310 No 6th St.
                                                                Gadsden, Al 35903
                                        By email:  MsJP37@aol.com

Adult artist demonstrating for young artists at local show.

Two students standing beside art work in the studio.

"Creation Station" with adult volunteers helping young artists.

Two award winning students sitting on the porch of Ms. McDaniel's gallery.

Art work created by some of the young artists of The Country Shop.

Ms. McDaniel presenting $500 scholarship check to high school senior headed for an art degree.

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