Shop Subscribe

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty

Classroom must haves for teachers plus essential teacher supplies, lesson plans and activities.

schoolyard-logo
  • Education Essentials
  • Inspiration & Planning
  • Learning Spaces
  • Topics
  • Search
  • < Previous post
    Next post >
    Artists and Athletes: Are They Really that Different?

    Arts & Crafts
    School Specialty • Nov 6, 2016 • Last Modified: Nov 14, 2017

    Artists and Athletes: Are They Really that Different?

    This article is compliments of The Art of Education.

    Several months ago, I was sitting across from a student and his dad at parent-teacher conferences. I was urging the student to sign up for art the following semester, as he had shown some very impressive skills. However, I was stunned when his dad spoke up and said, “Well, you know, it’s hard to get these sports guys to sign up for those classes.”

    I didn’t get it. Last I checked, practice happened after school. I would know since I have to be ready to coach my volleyball and basketball teams after class. So why was it so challenging for this student to choose both art and sports?

    student painting of swimmer

    Art and athletics are often viewed at opposite ends of the spectrum. But, are athletes and artists really that different?

    Today we are going to hear from an artist and former athlete to help solve this mystery.

    Artist Hillary Werth was a heptathlete at UCLA and a member of the US National Bobsled Team. Although some people find it difficult to draw the connection between athletics and art, for Hillary, it’s fairly easy. Both of her parents were professional athletes and artists. As she explains, “Art and athletics are literally in my DNA.”

    Hillary Werth
    Photo credit: Adam Reynolds Photography

    Two Worlds At Odds?

    For most of our students, the idea that these two worlds can find balance seems odd. Most often students are forced to choose which outlet to pursue. Although Hillary grew up in a household where both were embraced, there were times she was questioned by her peers. She says, “I always felt the need to prove myself because others didn’t understand my creative and athletic brain. When I realized I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone, I started to succeed.” Because our students are heavily influenced by their peers, it’s important to teach them that choosing both is okay.

    In fact, I’d argue that being an athlete makes for a more enriched, well-rounded art experience.

    Sculpture by Hillary Werth
    Sculpture by Hillary Werth

    Striking Similarities

    There are many common parallels between art and athletics. Hillary shares that her experience as an athlete has everything to do with the way she creates her art and runs her business. Both artists and athletes share a common trait in their pursuit of excellence and in their will for mastery. When asked about the similarities between the two Hillary said, “The passion that it takes to be an athlete or an artist are one and the same. I can find similarities from one of my athletic performances to a painting I did from start to finish.”

    Painting by Hillary Werth
    Painting by Hillary Werth

    Both making art and engaging in athletics take hard work, practice, and drive. Both pursuits are rigorous. I often liken practicing an athletic skill to refining an art skill. A basketball player isn’t going to perfect their free throw shooting without practice. The same goes for an artist looking to get better at drawing.

    Click here to continue reading at TheArtofEd.com.
    Facebook Comments

    Recommended

    Block Play: Stacked with STEAM

    STEAM & STEM

    Block Play: Stacked with STEAM

    Four Ideas to Support Family Engagement in the Art Classroom

    Arts & Crafts

    Four Ideas to Support Family Engagement in the Art Classroom

    Extended Learning in Art: Fostering Inspiration Through Everyday Life

    Arts & Crafts

    Extended Learning in Art: Fostering Inspiration Through Everyday Life

    Art Project Ideas for the Great Outdoors

    Arts & Crafts

    Art Project Ideas for the Great Outdoors

    Explore The Schoolyard

    Education Essentials

    Inspiration & Planning

    Learning Spaces

     

    TopicsShop Subscribe

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • RSS

    Copyright © 2022 School Specialty, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement · Social Media Statement · Do Not Sell My Personal Information - CA Resident Only

  • CATEGORIES

    • Education Essentials
    • Inspiration & Planning
    • Learning Spaces
  • TOPICS

    • Arts & Crafts
    • Early Childhood
    • Special Needs
    • Physical Education
    • Educational Technology
    • Student Resources
    • Organization & Storage
    • Classroom Management
    • STEAM & STEM
    • 21st Century Learning
    • Reading & Literacy
    • Healthy Students
    • Teacher Life
    • Back to School
    • Celebrations & Seasons
    • Out of School
    • News
    • Math
    • Science
    • Topics
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube