Chester-
East Lincoln visual arts program impacts lives
By Todd Spellman -
Lincoln Daily News |
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[March 04, 2016]
When
walking into Chester-East Lincoln (CEL) School for the first time,
you immediately notice that it is not the typical older school
building with soul sucking institutional drabness. Thanks to a
remodel in 2013 the public areas have been redesigned with the soft
and inviting color, curves and wood one would not expect in a
building of its age. The curves come largely from patterns in the
new floor that alternate between a dark and light wood grain.
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 Colors pop throughout the building in murals and intentional art
displays. A display case in the cafeteria shows off creations of
students. In this environment, it is no surprise to find a vibrant
and flourishing art program led by 19-year-veteran teacher Greg
Hoffert.
A Lincoln native and LCHS graduate, Hoffert attended Illinois State
University after graduating from Lincoln College. Though he
initially wanted to pursue graphic design, he found himself drawn to
the freedom of visual art and it’s instruction to kids.
Hoffert reflected, “I said, hey, I love art and I want to be around
art and hopefully inspire others to love it or at least appreciate
it.” Hoffert has spent his entire teaching career at CEL.
CEL art
teacher Mr. Greg Hoffert holds a couple student created
paper Mache monsters. |
In one location at CEL, a dozen things hanging on a string along
the wall draw attention. Hanging artwork on a string is not unusual
at school, but it is particularly interesting for this grouping
since it is a display of paper boxer shorts. Each one had unique
repeating patterns called tessellations, all done in the style of
the artist M.C. Escher. Then, hanging in the windows of the art room
facing the hall are geometric projects that look like stained glass
windows in a distinctly Frank Lloyd Wright style.
 “It’s not just coming down and coloring. There’s a purpose. I want
them learning about an artist or the elements of art or how to use
the materials in the right way.” Hoffert explains. “I built the
curriculum from the ground up on artists that I enjoy and I plug in
the stated goals and standards. I find certain artists interesting
and I like their work. I think that comes out in my teaching and the
kids will be more interested too.” Hoffert goes on that all his
lessons go back to specific artists and their styles, including the
relevant history.
Teaching all levels of students at CEL requires some agility.
Hoffert has Pre-K through 8th grade through out the day with varying
schedules. The Pre-K kids are looking at the art and works of Eric
Carle and making collages. The second grade is looking at the art of
Henri Matisse as they build their cutting and gluing skills working
on their collages. The eighth-graders are working with paper Mache
to create their own monsters. In this picture Hoffert holds two
examples of their ongoing work.
On the wall is a very large portrait. At approximately 6 feet across
and 9 feet tall, it dominates that corner of the room. It is done in
grayscale and made of 60 square sheets of paper containing 25 two
inch squares of varying. shades of grey. The students worked on it
separately, not knowing what it would be until it was assembled.
Once assembled it was a giant face, Hoffert’s in fact, in the style
of contemporary artist Chuck Close.
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“This is a couple years old now. The students who worked on
this are sophomores now. They used the art of Chuck Close to study
grey scale values,” said Hoffert.
“Close is pretty inspirational. He was learning disabled as a child,
and art was a way that helped him get through school. When he was
older he had an artery explode in his neck and he found a way to
keep painting even though he was paralyzed.” Hoffert uses the
artist’s life as a story of overcoming obstacles in the class as
well. Close’s contemporary work is an amazing demonstration of skill
and color and his story continues to inspire many.
 CEL
administrator, Laura Irwin, lavished praise on Hoffert and the
school’s art program with, “Mr. Hoffert is an outstanding teacher.
My kids attended CEL, and I still have their artwork displayed
throughout my house. Due to the enthusiasm and love of art he brings
to the classroom, the students really buy-in to what he is teaching
and create amazing projects/works of art.”
Irwin also added, “I am so grateful to be a part of a district that
values their art program and continues to make a strong investment
in it.”
Paul Ostergard, a former president at Citicorp and Junior
Achievement International is widely quoted as having said, “A broad
education in the arts helps give children a better understanding of
their world…We need students who are culturally literate as well as
math and science literate."
It is clear that CEL students are getting great opportunities to
engage their culture through the arts and explore their own
creativity as they do it.
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