C L A I R E   H   L E R N E R

As an exhibiting and working artist and arts educator for over 30 years I feel that it is my responsibility to bring my passion for the visual arts into the classroom/studio; this adds to the success my students. I often share my early and current experiences with art with my students. Discussing a recent exhibition or sharing information about an article brings a sense of wonder, passion and exploration into the classroom/studio. Teaching in the rich arts culture of the Monterey Peninsula in California offers art students a rare opportunity to visit historic sites and gives them a first hand introduction to world renowned visual artists, world class galleries, and museums. I believe in the importance of writing, observing, and participating in group discussions and critiques. As an educator, I am constantly enriched and inspired by the passion, creativity, and insights of my students. It is indeed a privilege to help facilitate their creative growth and self-fulfillment. In 2000 I began teaching darkroom photography, alternative photographic processes, studio art, and digital arts at the Santa Catalina School in Monterey, California where I am currently the Chair of the Visual Arts Department.