Participant Biographies and Project Descriptions

Marian Norris
Marian is an accomplished art educator with thirty-one years of teaching experience.  She is a respected leader in the field of Art Education having served as president of the Art Teachers Association for many years in Orange County, Florida.  She also holds expertise as an art exhibitor in museums, art centers and galleries.  Marian has a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education and a Master of Arts degree in Visual Arts.  She feels that the lack of art education in schools today is a tremendous loss to young people, and is excited to be taking the instruction of Fine Arts to school aged children and youth who would otherwise not have this opportunity.

Youth in her program will learn and experience various painting media, and integrate their art experiences with knowledge of the famous Masters of Fine Arts.  Being a Certified Art Education teacher, Marian is well equipped to work with children in identifying their needs and guiding them through weekly art activities.  She states that the outcome of her project will be very positive as “Children naturally love to participate in art activities, and these experiences will give them a feeling of self-worth.”  Marian plans to offer her twice-weekly Fine Arts classes to low income youth at the Boys and Girls Club of San Clemente.  An art exhibit at the Boys and Girls Club will mark the end of the class session in which “every entry will be rewarded with no child feeling slighted”.