T      E      A       C      H      I       N      G      

Teaching Statement

My teaching objectives place equal focus on themes, visual language and techniques. In an introductory class, techniques are the main objective. Intermediate and advanced classes, at a university or college level, require more emphasis on the theme, visual language, and formal issues of the artwork.

I conduct my classes in a way that is both inspiring and informative to the students. It is important to me that they enjoy as well as understand the different concepts being taught. Each class is structured around specific concepts and techniques that are presented in my lesson plan.

Each lesson includes homework assignments, visual aids and demonstrations, and begins with a group critique of the homework. Group critique reinforces the concepts being taught and motivates students to learn from each other.

Throughout a session, I focus on introducing different approaches to art making, varied mediums, different phases of an artist's work, as well as different techniques and styles used by the artist. With the introduction of each new concept, I show art work from books and slides, then present a demonstration of the different techniques and colour use for that particular class. By showing the students a visual process, demos are an important tool for elaborating on verbal explanations. As the students work in class, I draw attention to aspects of their work which reflect the concepts and techniques discussed in the demo.

I teach concepts and techniques that are influenced by my personal approach to Contemporary Art. I believe that Contemporary Art contains both an intellectual process, the concept or the idea behind the work, and an imaginative process, or the work done from intuition. I strive to teach my students that combining these two approaches creates an inspiring work of art.

Maral Garabedian
8011 avenue de Gaspe
Montreal, Quebec
H2R 2A6
Telephone: (514) 387-4945
E-mail: maral.garabedian@maralart.com

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Eight years of teaching experience in the Fine Arts
• Strong visual and academic background in contemporary art practices

EDUCATION

1997

M.F.A., Printmaking
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
 

1994

B.F.A., major in Studio
Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec

AWARDS / SCHOLARSHIPS

1997
1996

Province of Alberta Graduate Scholarship
Mary Louise Imrie Graduate student Award

PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE

1998-
present

The Visual Arts Centre, Fine and Applied Arts Department, Westmount, Quebec
Instructor: Drawing I, Drawing II, Intermediate Drawing, Figure Drawing, Portrait Drawing,
Drawing with colour, Pastel Drawing, "Drawing on the right Side of the Brain", Introductory,
Intermediate and advanced levels in Painting
 

1994-
1996

University of Alberta, Department of Art & Design, Edmonton, Alberta
Instructor: Visual Fundamentals 131, Art 140 (Drawing)
Assistant Instructor: Printmaking 422 (Lithography), Visual Fundamentals 131

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1995-
1997

University of Alberta, Department of Art & Design, Edmonton, Alberta
Graduate Research Assistant for the Printmaking Coordinator and Graduate Supervisor
- Responsible for general preparation and technical assistance of plates for printmaking
 

Graduate Research Assistant (Gallery Assistant)
- Assisted with the installation of different graduate student exhibitions for the Fine Arts Building Gallery
 

University of Alberta, Fine Arts Building Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta
Rubens to Picasso: Four Centuries of Master Drawings
Gallery Assistant and Attendant
- Informed the public with art historical context of the work
- Responsible for surveillance of the artwork
- Assisted with the installation of the artwork
 

1992-
1994

Concordia University, Printmaking Department, Montreal, Quebec
Assistant Technician
- Assisted students with all technical areas of Lithography
- Responsible for overall supervision and organization of the equipment and printing materials

PRESENTATIONS, LECTURES, DEMONSTRATIONS

1999

The Visual Arts Centre, McClure Gallery, Westmount, Quebec
- Slide presentation and artist talk
Beaconsfield Artists Association
- Slide presentation and artist talk
 

1996-
1997

University of Alberta, Department of Art & Design, Edmonton, Alberta
- Slide presentation and lecture on printmaking techniques
- Presentation and demonstration of Fuji-plate printing
- Slide presentation and lecture introducing students to the concept of tone/value in images
using a range of historical examples and black and white prints
 

1996

University of Alberta, (Third Annual Research Revelations Exposition),
Edmonton, Alberta
- Introduced the research behind the development of a lithographic print (using examples
of my thesis work), from the initial idea in drawing through the technical process of Fuji-plate printing