Faculty Focus: Diane Yu

A. To my surprise, my high school yearbook indicates that my dream job is to be an art teacher. It was surprising to read this because I did not enjoy school until I attended college at the Maryland Institute College of Art. I studied painting, and a friend convinced me to take an art education class. I was immediately engaged in the content and went on to pursue my Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). My MAT cohort was like a second family, where I found immense joy and purpose. Then, I started my teaching career at Garrison Forest School, a k-12 girls' school in Owings Mills, MD, where I was a dorm parent and, for three years, the visual art department chair. As I have begun my 11th year of teaching, I still find joy in the classroom and participating in a school community that seeks connections to grow learning.

A. I strive to facilitate an environment in which each student gains confidence and ownership of their learning process and finds themselves in the making of art. What I love about the art classroom is that there are multiple “right” answers, and committing to a decision requires listening, asking questions, and acceptance. My role as a teacher is to guide students in navigating their creativity in their projects and discovering ways they find mirrors in not only what they are creating but also how they create it. 

A. I love our ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity, where we work towards every student being seen, heard, and loved. 

A. I have a studio space at Clearstory Arts where I maintain a 50L indigo vat, work with natural dyes, and weave ink drawings on a floor loom. Through thread, dye, ink, and fabric, I capture moments of connection, becoming, and seeking. My practice is a ritual with textiles: dressing the loom, weaving a grid, stitching shibori patterns, and informing quick and intuitive responses. 

A. As mentioned, school was difficult for me, but the art room was always where I found community and could express myself confidently. I also enjoy applying my learning and knowledge by working with materials. Teaching and artmaking go hand in hand. Every day is a discovery, and both require self-reflection and centering as there are many moving parts and emotions. 

A. I am teaching a new seventh-grade curriculum based on handwork and fiber arts and planning more Joy Squad events for Faculty and Staff!