Abstract
This project is an Alternative Culminating Experience for a Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction with an Elective Emphasis on Arts in Education. It follows Pathway 1: Artist as Educator. The author of this project examined her own creative processes in order to gain insights and understandings about the factors that affect creative pursuits. What is the nature of creativity? What motivates the creative process? Why do creative blocks occur? Many factors in today’s society get in the way of people’s inherent need to be creative or express their creative ideas. This project informed the author about such factors and helped to improve her productivity as an artist and her effectiveness as an art teacher. Narrative inquiry was conducted. Information about the process was recorded and analyzed through the use of artistic and reflective journaling. A body of literature was reviewed in the area of creativity, inspiration and process in relation to creating art. Readings related to Arts Education were also reviewed. Artistic work was done in a home v studio. Several ceramic pieces were produced and shown in a group art show. For the future, the author intends for this project to serve herself, her students, and her community by better engaging these groups in inspired art production and therefore greater individual fulfillment. This project is significant to anyone looking to find their own passion or looking to engage students in creative pursuits.