THE POETRY OF ART
Rachel Choma, art student at the University of Missouri and Art Director of the non-profit Roots, spends two days a week teaching art to kids from low-income areas. Choma understands the therapeutic power of art, having turned to drawing in middle school when she dealt with “mean girls.” Her role at Roots has inspired her to follow her dreams of becoming an art teacher one day, to teach kids how to express themselves fully through creativity .
“I know how much art can be an outlet for people and I know these children come form backgrounds that are much harder than anything I grew up with, personally. I knew with my own hardships as a kid, art was my safe place and I wanted to know it could be one for them too."
Although she wants to be an elementary art teacher, Choma wants to take an alternative approach to art education to push kids to think more creatively when approaching school art assignments.
“In art classes in elementary schools, kids learn the principles of design-like shape, color, and line. It is kinda like the grammar of the language of art. They are very important, but after they learn the grammar, I like to go a step farther to teach them things like poetry. I love to see them expand upon the fundamentals to create something beautiful,” said Choma.
Out of all her learning experiences working at Roots, Choma was most surprised by how much she influenced the lives of her students.
“One day, one of my students ran up to me before the art-clinic and showed me a picture he had drawn for me the weekend before. I felt so touched. Even though he only spends a couple hours a week with me at these clinics, he had thought about me out of class. The experience he had at the art clinic had influenced his life outside of school, which was so rewarding.”
Even though Choma has always wanted to become a teacher, she found that the classroom environment was different than she imagined.
"I spent all summer making lessons plans with my advisor and when I got to my first class, I realized the whole environment was different. I had to change everything. I realized this is what education is. At first it was a lot of work and it was kinda frustrating, but I learned that this was just a part of teaching. I would have to change every year, depending on what kind of students I have. "
Despite all the planning Choma puts into making lesson plans, she could not have planned how influential Roots would be on her future.
"You know, being a fine arts major at a big university like this is tough sometimes because you have friends that are pre-med or engineering majors. Fine arts majors can be belittled and sometimes my faith is shaken in my plan, but every time I teach these kids I feel validated. I realize- no this is what I want to do and I remember to not listen to everyone else."
Working on a picture of what she imagines when she thinks of christmas, Chyla Rodriguez, a child who attends Root's art clinics answers with, "All I want for christmas, is a fireplace, but we live in a trailer.” Roots holds the art clinics for low-income families. Dec. 1, 2016.
Children work on drawing the first thing that comes to their mind when they think of Christmas. The Roots team is transferring the children's drawings onto ornaments for a holiday surprise. Dec. 1, 2016.
Rachel Choma, fine arts major at Mizzou, sets up for the art clinic. The clinics are held at Alpha Heart Lewis Elementary once a week. Dec. 1, 2016.
Working on a picture of what she imagines when she thinks of christmas, Chyla Rodriguez, a child who attends Root's art clinics answers with, "All I want for christmas, is a fireplace, but we live in a trailer.” Roots holds the art clinics for low-income families. Dec. 1, 2016.
Rachel Choma, Art Director of Roots
THE PROCESS
dESIGN BUY EDUCATE
HOW IT WORKS
Roots is more than just a store, it's a whole process. From the artists who come up with the designs, to the staff who makes the designs come to life, every part of Roots is working to positively impact others. The profits from items sold in Roots, go towards hosting art clinics for low-income children that wouldn't have art class otherwise.
Matt Coatney, a junior a Mizzou, is an artist that sells his designs at Roots. He joined Root's team of artist in the fall of 2016. The art featured below is an example of a sketch that could be printed on any t-shirt, mug, or lap top sticker to be sold at the Roots store.
SHOW ME QUICK
THE ART CLINIC
for the kids of low-income families
93% of Americans believe that the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education,
"We believe that creativity is a human right."
-Ashleigh Atasoy
Ashleigh Atasoy and Hope Watson were inspired to create ROOTS after experiencing life-changing moments while helping those with less.
The OF the CREATORS
ASHLEIGH ATASOY CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
HOPE WATSON NON PROFIT DIRECTOR
Root's Mission Statement
We believe in the social power of art to enrich, empower, and change lives. Roots will harness this power to one another, while positively impacting relations with the greater Columbia community through sustainable partnerships with after school programs serving children from low-income families.
PRODUCERS
Hope Howard, a sophomore at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, works as a public relations intern for Heart of Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates. Howard is studying convergence journalism with an emphasis in producing.
Hope Howard
Ellie Telander, a sophomore at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, blogs about fashion, in hopes to pursue fashion journalism. Telander is studying strategic communication: public relations, with a minor in textile & apparel management.
Ellie
Telander
