Nonfiction
Molding the Future
Name: Michael Bannon
Grade: 11th
It is not uncommon to see a potter covered in clay, focused on their work, and throwing on the wheel. They usually are working hard in their personal studios trying to accomplish their masterpieces. For every artist underneath all that clay, there is a background in art and a great, supportive teacher that helped start it all.
Some of these artists remain in their studios. Others emerge into the world of academia to share their wealth of knowledge. Sometimes a foresighted headmaster finds a diamond in the rough; a true, undiscovered talent.
That “diamond,” Amy Chaplin, is the new head of the IB-3D Art Department at Trinity Episcopal School. Chaplin entered the scene on the back of adversity and, in two short years, has vaulted the program into a new spectrum of art development and appreciation. Taking the step from a teacher to a leader has been a blip on the radar for this extremely talented woman.
As a child, Chaplin first found herself drawn into the art world while touring a museum with her parents. At first sight, she was captivated by The Flying Dutchman. Over the years, she found herself turning to this work of art for inspiration. As time passed, Chaplin’s love for art grew stronger: “As far as wanting to be an artist, it was probably in college when I was introduced to ceramics and thought ‘I want to do this forever.’” From that point on, she has changed the art scene of Richmond tremendously.
Chaplin started at Good Episcopal School teaching art to elementary school children. Much to her delight, Chaplin received a grant from The National Endowments of Art to further these students’ art education. She continued teaching at various locations.
The last time Chaplin had set foot on the Trinity campus was when she graduated, as a senior transfer, in 1988. At that time, she never dreamed she would return as a teacher. When reflecting about Trinity approaching her with a job, Chaplin said, “[The] timing was everything. They offered me a position where they wanted me to write a curriculum for a class, and the schedule was perfect for where I was in my life at that point. I had been teaching ceramics at a college level and this was teaching a design class.” She was excited about writing the curriculum and extremely pleased to be researching and planning such classes: “I hadn’t done that in a long time, and I really loved it.”
Two years ago, Chaplin took on the mighty task of heading the IB-3D Art Department. “There was an incident, and it seemed like everybody kind of looked to me to fix it,” said Chaplin, “It has been, professionally, one of the greatest things I have ever done.” Chaplin feels the most difficult part of her job is keeping the students’ frustration levels down while keeping their confidence up. “I guess the hardest thing is getting them to trust the process,” stated Chaplin. Oddly enough getting the students’ trust is also Chaplin’s favorite part of the job, as well as “watching [her] students meet goals that they never saw themselves meeting.” Chaplin believes her calmer approach has created a less chaotic atmosphere for the program.
Chaplin sees big changes for the department in the near future. “It’s ceramics, and the way that our IB Ceramics is set up, it’s constantly evolving…that’s why ceramics never gets boring,” said an enthusiastic Chaplin. Chaplin also loves to travel with her students and expose them to art around the country. A trip Chaplin has arranged for the Art Department in January will be to New York City, “mainly to expose them to some of the best art in the world.” When Chaplin looks forward to five years from now, she hopes to see the Art Department “on the front of Ceramic Monthly.”
“Everyone was a little worried about me taking over, and it’s hard coming into a situation that you know you’re the second choice, but, I feel like, I kind of rose above that expectation and that parents and students ended up being really happy. And that meant a lot to me,” professed Chaplin. Trying to instill a good work ethic in her students, Chaplin believes in leading by example. She enjoys watching each student go through an artistic movement and come out the other side a better person. “Every morning I wake up excited to go to work,” said Chaplin.
This well-placed “diamond in the rough” has proven to be a gem for the students, the department, and the school.
Some of these artists remain in their studios. Others emerge into the world of academia to share their wealth of knowledge. Sometimes a foresighted headmaster finds a diamond in the rough; a true, undiscovered talent.
That “diamond,” Amy Chaplin, is the new head of the IB-3D Art Department at Trinity Episcopal School. Chaplin entered the scene on the back of adversity and, in two short years, has vaulted the program into a new spectrum of art development and appreciation. Taking the step from a teacher to a leader has been a blip on the radar for this extremely talented woman.
As a child, Chaplin first found herself drawn into the art world while touring a museum with her parents. At first sight, she was captivated by The Flying Dutchman. Over the years, she found herself turning to this work of art for inspiration. As time passed, Chaplin’s love for art grew stronger: “As far as wanting to be an artist, it was probably in college when I was introduced to ceramics and thought ‘I want to do this forever.’” From that point on, she has changed the art scene of Richmond tremendously.
Chaplin started at Good Episcopal School teaching art to elementary school children. Much to her delight, Chaplin received a grant from The National Endowments of Art to further these students’ art education. She continued teaching at various locations.
The last time Chaplin had set foot on the Trinity campus was when she graduated, as a senior transfer, in 1988. At that time, she never dreamed she would return as a teacher. When reflecting about Trinity approaching her with a job, Chaplin said, “[The] timing was everything. They offered me a position where they wanted me to write a curriculum for a class, and the schedule was perfect for where I was in my life at that point. I had been teaching ceramics at a college level and this was teaching a design class.” She was excited about writing the curriculum and extremely pleased to be researching and planning such classes: “I hadn’t done that in a long time, and I really loved it.”
Two years ago, Chaplin took on the mighty task of heading the IB-3D Art Department. “There was an incident, and it seemed like everybody kind of looked to me to fix it,” said Chaplin, “It has been, professionally, one of the greatest things I have ever done.” Chaplin feels the most difficult part of her job is keeping the students’ frustration levels down while keeping their confidence up. “I guess the hardest thing is getting them to trust the process,” stated Chaplin. Oddly enough getting the students’ trust is also Chaplin’s favorite part of the job, as well as “watching [her] students meet goals that they never saw themselves meeting.” Chaplin believes her calmer approach has created a less chaotic atmosphere for the program.
Chaplin sees big changes for the department in the near future. “It’s ceramics, and the way that our IB Ceramics is set up, it’s constantly evolving…that’s why ceramics never gets boring,” said an enthusiastic Chaplin. Chaplin also loves to travel with her students and expose them to art around the country. A trip Chaplin has arranged for the Art Department in January will be to New York City, “mainly to expose them to some of the best art in the world.” When Chaplin looks forward to five years from now, she hopes to see the Art Department “on the front of Ceramic Monthly.”
“Everyone was a little worried about me taking over, and it’s hard coming into a situation that you know you’re the second choice, but, I feel like, I kind of rose above that expectation and that parents and students ended up being really happy. And that meant a lot to me,” professed Chaplin. Trying to instill a good work ethic in her students, Chaplin believes in leading by example. She enjoys watching each student go through an artistic movement and come out the other side a better person. “Every morning I wake up excited to go to work,” said Chaplin.
This well-placed “diamond in the rough” has proven to be a gem for the students, the department, and the school.