Catching up with ArtVenture teacher, Jeannine Metzfield

Since the beginning of June, VisArts has been abuzz with artists ages five to 14. ArtVenture Summer Camp is in full swing across the building, and each studio is radiating its own unique energy. The floors rumble in the drawing studio from little “frogs” practicing their best hops for Installation Art: Life in the Pond; exclamations echo down the hall from Customizing Action Figures; and in between intermittent shrills of the drill, a group of young jewelers have harnessed a cool, collected calm in the metals studio.

Dispersed at their own workbenches around the studio, each of the 12- to 14-year-old campers are fully focused on their nature-inspired metal creations. They’re doing potentially dangerous things—with ignited torches and pointy pliers—with great care and safety under the expert guidance of Jeannine Metzfield.

Jeannine has been teaching metalworking and jewelry classes for youth at VisArts since 2013. This summer, she is spending seven weeks teaching a variety of metals and jewelry classes with our ArtVenture campers. We’re halfway through the summer now, and we caught up with Jeannine to learn more about her experience as a teacher here at camp.

VisArts: Jeannine, you’ve been working with youth at VisArts for 12 years now. What’s been your favorite part about being an  ArtVenture teacher?

Jeannine: I am constantly learning. I find new ways to engage students, guide them in learning a skill playfully, and help them have a new experience knowing they are safe. I share that fear is natural, and we can move through it and let it guide us to be responsible.

In turn, I address my fears and feel safe to play along, too. We also set up boundaries, guidelines, and responsibilities so that we practice life skills along the way. “Teamwork is dream work” and “third time’s a charm” are our mottos in class. 

What’s the biggest difference between teaching adults and youth?

The biggest difference I notice is that adults are usually trying to “get it right” or “figure it out.” They’re wondering how much it costs and how it looks to themselves and to others.

The youth are usually unconditioned—they don’t place limits on themselves, having no concept of budget or impossibilities. They’re flowing in creative ease, and they just want to play. (Sometimes that’s a challenge, but usually worth the rewards.)

It feels natural for me to be teaching youth classes—I was the oldest girl in a family of 14 children.

Does teaching youth impact your own artistic practice?

It really does. My projects for them are areas I am investigating or curious about myself. I am often inspired by the playful freedom and joyful ease with their results.

What do you hope your ArtVenture campers take away from your classes?

A sense that they had fun, made something cool, and that they are safe and successful at trying new things and making friends.

Jeannine Metzfield is teaching two classes at VisArts this fall: a multi-week metalworking class for youth and a one-day earrings workshop for adults. Save your spot and enroll in a class with Jeannine today!