Participant Details
- Community Arts Partner Name
- Sharon Birzer
- Partner Type
- Individual
- Profile Photo
- Individual Bio or
Organizational Statement Sharon Birzer is a Natural Science Illustrator and Teaching Artist whose work is inspired by observations made in the diverse ecosystems of the Northwest. She is passionate about teaching art to youth and teaches Integrated Lesson plans and workshops. She has taught art in Seattle Public Schools, with Arts Corps, the Frye Art Museum, The National Botanical Gardens in Maui, the University of WA Center for Urban Horticulture, Evergreen College and other schools and institutions. She has worked with Curators at the Burke Museum of Natural History on arachnid illustrations for a publication. Her illustrations have been included in books and publications. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Northwest and around the country. Birzer holds a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts and an MFA from the University of Washington. She completed the Natural Science Illustration Program at the UW, and completed ArtsWA Teaching Artist Training Lab, Washington State Arts Commission.
Contact Information
- First Name
- Sharon
- Last Name
- Birzer
- Address
- Address 2
- City
- State
- Zip
- sharonbirzer@comcast.net
- Phone
- 206 601 4142
- Website, Blog or Social Media Link
- sharonbirzer.com
- Other
Grade Levels Preferred
- Grade Levels Preferred
- K-2, 3rd - 5th
Artistic Disciplines
- Discipline
- 5, Art and Science Integrated Lessons
- Type
Natural Science Illustration Observational Drawing Painting Graphic Novel lessons
Experience
- Previous School Partnerships
- Baily Gatzert Graham Hill White Center Heights Elementary School Highline Schools
- WA State TAT Lab Graduate
- Yes
- Other Trainings or Certifications
- BFA, Cornish College of the Arts MFA, University of Washington Natural Science Illustration Certificate, University of Washington TAT lab graduate
- Sample Lesson Description: Student / Classroom Residencies
- Graphic Novel Project
- Title:
- My graphic novel is about: ____________________________________________________
- The main character is: ____________________________________________________
- The climax of the story occurs when: ____________________________________________________
- The resolution of my narrative story occurs when: ____________________________________________________
- I am excited about this story because
- My story will take place over 9 frames. Attached are my rough sketches:
- draw what you see
- learn about nature through observation
- enjoy creating your own art work and your own book
- Sample Workshop Description: Teacher Professional Development
Areas of Experience and Expertise
- Approved Professional Development Provider
- 1
- Approved Classroom Residency Provider
- Yes
Lesson Plan
- Integrated Art
- Cultural Art
Teaching Approach
- Teaching Philosophy + Approach
Now more than ever children need access to quality learning opportunities in the arts. Involvement in the arts gives young people —who are aware of an enormous amount of imagery— tools to comprehend it, and to connect what they see with what they can create themselves. Involvement in the arts can help students build more positive self concepts. Participation in the arts can help each student see the new possibilities that thinking creatively can offer for their future.
I am a Teaching Artist in Seattle Public Schools and I’m a member of the Community Arts Partner Roster created by The Office of Arts & Culture, in collaboration with Seattle Public Schools. I also teach with Arts Corps with a range of age groups, recently with grades 1-5. I teach art at the post secondary level, and teach Scientific Illustration workshops for adults and for educators.
- Curriculum Integration Possibilities
- Art (drawing and painting) + Science Art (drawing and painting) + Language Arts
- Special Skills and Areas of Expertise
I have taught Scientific Illustration and Botanical Illustration at the Frye Art Museum in conjunction with Seattle University, to adults and teachers for continuing education clock hours.
- Testimonials from Schools
Visala Hohlbein
Fifth grade teacher, Bailey Gatzert
Andrea Gardner, MA Ed
Extended Day Outcomes Coordinator, Highline Schools
Fees
- Fees
- 75. per hour approx.
Images
- Image
- Image Description
- Student working on potato prints for booklet.
- Image
- Image Description
- Crafting the Graphic Novel, Integrated Art and Language Art Lesson Plan
- Image
- Image Description
- Demo, Botanical Illustration, Frye Art Museum, Youth, Student & Teachers Program
- Image
- Image Description
- 'Habitat' Mural, Visual Art at White Center Heights, grades 1-3
- Image
- Image Description
- Leaf Booklets, Visual Art at Graham Hill, grades 2-3
Video
- Video Link
- Video Description
- Video Link
- Video Description
- Video Link
- Video Description