Amis Balcomb

F&PA: Visual Arts

M.I.T., Western Washington University; B.A., Art, University of Washington

Amis has been proposing a wide variety of visual arts offerings to engage students of all skill levels at EPS since 2005. Courses have included ceramics, drawing, painting, mixed media, graphic design, and filmmaking. Her philosophy is that art inspires and enriches our lives. It transcends languages and prejudices. It opens and expands our minds to the world around us and teaches us to see.

“In my classes, I strive to dispel the myth that only artistic people can authentically learn art skills. It’s a matter of providing the tools, some tips, and time. At EPS, in every art class each year, it is rewarding to witness students expanding their creative thinking and art skills through the process of simply creating artwork. It is in the process of doing where magic occurs. The hand-eye coordination and fine-motor skills that are developed by using the art materials and tools in specific ways translates into refined visual problem solving that can be applied across disciplines.”