Ching Ching Cheng is a Teaching Artist at Roosevelt Elementary School in Santa Monica. Learn more about her art discipline and how her experience and skills are utilized in P.S. ARTS classrooms!
My name is Ching Ching Cheng, and I am an artist and art educator based in Altadena. I started teaching art in 2009 in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. I am an interdisciplinary artist, and my works include paintings, sculptures, mixed media art, photography, video, sound, writing, and performance work.
What are some tools that are essential to your classroom these days?
I bring art classes to rotating classrooms, so I carry an art cart with me with all the supplies needed for different projects including pencils, markers, oil pastels, watercolors, glue sticks, white paper, and colored construction papers.
Share a “magic moment” you experienced teaching in the last year.
I love the sharing and reflection time at the end of the class. We put up all the artworks on the board and students can share their thoughts and opinions of other students’ work. I can get to know each student more and they enjoy listening to others’ thoughts and kind words.
Who is an artist you are currently inspired by?
There are many great local Asian American artists I’m inspired by, including Patty Chang, Audrey Chan, Alan Nakagawa, and Jisoo Chung.
How has teaching for P.S. ARTS shaped your practice as a Teaching Artist?
I found that there is a lack of inclusion in many public art educations. With the thoughtfulness and strong curriculum P.S. ARTS provides, that has a focus on social justice standards, my teaching practice not only includes teaching various techniques to students, but also introducing contemporary artists of diverse races, cultures, and genders. I’m always interested in providing engaging and creative teaching methods. Expanding and exploring techniques, introducing an individual’s voice, and combining cultural background is the vehicle for a successful class.
Thank you for sharing with us, Ching! We appreciate your work. See more of Ching’s artwork at https://www.chingchingcheng.com/.
