First-grade teacher showcases students’ artwork

Susan Kolstad’s demeanor is sweet and delightful, with a touch of her own brand of spunk. The mention of children or education elicits animation and passion in Kolstad’s words and voice. She’s been teaching for 38 years and still gets excited about students, learning and potential.

Although it’s a first-grade teacher’s job to teach everything from reading to writing and arithmetic, Kolstad also makes sure her students learn about art genres and that their artwork is showcased for the community to see and enjoy.

Kolstad grew up in Karlstad, Minn., where she was introduced to art by her mother. Although art has been a part of Kolstad’s life from a young age, much of her schooling did not involve art until she attended college. Kolstad attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, earning a degree in elementary education as well as pursuing a master’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in math and art. While enrolled in courses for her future career, she developed an appreciation for the arts.

Kolstad stayed in the Fargo-Moorhead area and became a teacher — the fulfillment of a childhood dream. Kolstad was brought up in a family where school was very important, a belief that formed the underpinnings of her love for educating children and wanting to make a difference for others. Along with teaching general subjects to her first graders, she helps her students develop their artwork with all kinds of projects.

Kolstad introduces the children’s artwork into the community with the assistance of Ryan Fritz. Fritz is in the process of creating a Web site featuring children’s artwork at www.fargokids.com. He has the ability to take a child’s collection of artwork and combine several pieces into one large piece. He is able to enlarge artwork and print it on multiple types of paper and canvas, giving the art an oil paint effect.

Kolstad believes that publishing a child’s artwork on the Web allows parents as well as others to enjoy, share and preserve their child’s beautiful creation. The idea of showcasing children’s artwork online arose from Clara Barton and Hawthorne Elementary School parents. "Parents value their child’s artwork and what better way … to show what their child has done," Kolstad said. Making children’s artwork available for community viewing benefits a child in numerous ways, she said. When children create art they are developing skills that will assist them in the future.

Kolstad finds that children develop organizational skills, the ability to focus and concentrate, along with self-esteem, each of which plays an important role in a child’s life. Kolstad opens new doors into a refreshing world of the type of art a first-grader can create by giving children a variety of ways to produce their art as well as a variety of projects. "I offer projects that honor what a child at six and seven is capable of," she said. "These experiences tap into their creativity and are intended to be challenging and rewarding." Kolstad explains that she thinks like a child: "What would I want to make if I were in first grade?" By using up-to-date art supplies and products, she offers children exposure to art genres that go beyond tracing hands and making paper turkeys at Thanksgiving. Kolstad does not interfere with their art. In other words, she inspires her little working artists when they create their art by getting out of their way and leaving them alone with their creativity to let the project come to life.

Kolstad teaches new art techniques for each project but avoids the practice of showing a "teacher’s model" to her students. She believes children need to find their own creativity instead of replicating her work. Kolstad advises parents to encourage their children about creativity and art, enroll them in summer art classes, and give them opportunities to develop a LOVE for the arts. She also encourages family excursions to museums, where children can explore new ideas. To see some of the artwork students have created, visit www.fargokids.com. The Web site is new and art is still being added. Through the Web site people can purchase museum quality prints to preserve a child’s artwork and display a beautiful creation.

Anna George is from Austin, Minn., and attends Minnesota State University Moorhead. George is pursuing a degree in mass communications and English and also hopes to attain a minor in Spanish

Kids Art Printed Directly to Canvas at FargoKids.com