16: Contemporary Art and Community with Don Masse

Today’s guest is an elementary art teacher who writes a regular column for Arts and Activities Magazine, and his blog, Shine Brite Zamorano, where he shares his student’s projects. He masterly infuses contemporary art into his school and community in exciting and relevant ways. He contributes so much inspiration, motivation, and support to art teachers everywhere.

Don Masse grew always interested in art. Teaching at a creative art camp 3 summers in a row called Buck Rock Creative Art Camp, is where he found passion in working with children. When Don met his wife and they moved out to San Diego where he then went back to school to become certified and got an education background. Masse began to work at Zamorano and has worked there since. Masse started his blog around 2010, after starting to use the internet more for researching. Taking a trip, studying abroad in Ravenna Rome, in his undergrad is one place he will never forget. He went to the mausoleum of Galla Placidia which was full of mosaics. One section in particular, spoke to him the most and he still uses them to this day, as it stuck with him.

Show Highlights:

Background on Don Masse Working at Zamorano teaching kids art Masse’s Blog when and why he started it Started to use the internet to build his curriculum Masse’s blog is mostly based on Contemporary artists  Masse uses his blog to help focus for his curriculum Masse tells us some of the main internet search places he used Tips on how to have projects based on artists but still be unique How to incorporate writing and reflection in Masses lessons Masse tells us about some of his favorite lessons How Masse approaches talking to the kids about their work How you need to embrace the silence The artwork that changed Masse’s life