Barking Legs Teaching Artist Program
Barking Legs Teaching Artists guide students in experiencing and understanding their feelings and decision-making through the creative process. Using the art forms of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, culinary arts and film, we explore the importance of self-awareness as we enliven learning through all of the arts.
Barking Legs empowers young people, educators, and artists to discover their talents, broaden their horizons, and become active participants in shaping the future.
Meet Our Teaching Artists
Cherokee Ellison
“I, along with my wife Monica, cofounded Chattanooga-based nonprofit Move ‘n Groove Kidz-Garvey Program to encourage every child to express themselves through movement and dance. I teach capoeira and other forms of movement and love working with young people. ”
Cameron Williams (C-Grimey)
“Being able to bring art in a culturally appropriate manner to black and brown students has been one of the biggest highlights of my career.”
Antoine Williamson
“I have over seven years of teaching artist experience. Six of which have been with the Tennessee Arts Commission, and one has been with Full Circle TAP. I use music and art to help students express themselves, build self confidence, and help them apply that to their academics. I love seeing the positive impact in has on children’s lives.”
Olga de Klein
“I am originally from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and am artist, working with paint, found objects, mixed media, photography, and textiles. I explore, experiment, and constantly challenge myself. I am passionate about sharing art with young people!”
Jaime Peterson
“I am a ceramicist and educator, working as both a teaching artist and a graduation coach in local high schools. Believing that creative expression is not limited or exclusive, I integrate creative thoughts and expressive facilitation in all facets of her work. Encouraging and allowing young people safe spaces to feel vulnerable and uncomfortable leads to them to be braver and more innovative in whatever path they choose. ”
Meet the Founder of our Teaching Artist Program
As a promoter of diverse artistic exploration and performances, Barking Legs believes in supporting our public education system to empower our future leaders by helping them discover their talents and broaden their horizons. Our Teaching Artist Program reaches into the heart of who we are and why we are artists.
Barking Legs founder and co-artistic director Ann Law has been exploring the relevance between the creative process, young students’ interests and aspirations, and different educational pedagogies since 2000. Her goal has been to establish diverse learning environments where each young student is exposed to a wide range of creative art-making experiences that challenge and engage.
Ann has developed a teaching artists program that is rich in taking risks, creating new work, and experiencing the joys of learning. The outcome of our Teaching Artist Program is to provide our community with teaching artists capable of inspiring and stimulating the many diverse populations that make up our communities, and utilize art education’s best practices.