COVINGTON, Pa., November 15, 2024 – The artist of the month is a tradition Mrs. Tara Crum started in order to give her students time to shine. While it is something mainly intended to give the seniors’ artwork more recognition, it means a lot to the art students.
As the art teacher, Mrs. Crum sees how her students thrive while in class. Just because she gives artist of the month to seniors, doesn’t mean she doesn’t appreciate the younger students. She likes giving seniors the opportunity to have a last “hurrah” in art before they graduate because not everybody is going to pursue art in their futures. It doesn’t matter to her what level of art her seniors are taking because she is always going to put them first. Even if she had a senior in Art I, she would still give them the same time to shine.
The criteria of becoming the artist of the month is very simple. Mrs. Crum said, “I pick the students and since I teach them year round, I know the work they can do, and I can tell when they are trying their hardest”. There aren’t any requirements to earn the title except for trying your best. Mrs. Crum uses the artist of the month title as incentive, and she hopes it motivates kids to stay in her class.
Art students of all grades find the artist of the month to be something to strive for. Junior and Art II student Isabella Palumbo finds the artist of the month to be motivating. She said, “It motivates me to try the best I can so maybe one day I can get that title.” She puts her best foot forward in art. Since she thinks that artist of the month is “super cool,” she does find herself putting in extra effort at times. Although she says she “isn’t the best”, she has still kept with art and hopes to show Mrs. Crum that she is dedicated.
This November, artist of the month is senior Lauren Giombetti. Lauren is in Art IV this year and has a lovely portfolio. Mrs. Crum said, “Lauren has been in this class for four years, and has a large body of work built up”. Lauren has stayed in art because she said, “it allows me to relax and enjoy one of my favorite hobbies”. She finds Mrs. Crum is very motivating and loves how positive of a space the art room is.
