What real arts integration looks like

Arts integrated learning involves incorporating the fine and performing arts as primary pathways to learning. Here at Springwell, we have an Artist-in-Residence, Carien Quiroga, who is on campus Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning for the fall session. 

Before school began, Carien and Dr. Linda Krakur teamed up to train faculty how to wove together empathy, understanding history, explored cultural roots, and tackled the difficult topic of cultural appropriation. We learned how we influence one another throughout time and culture.

Through the creative process, we honed our skills of inquiry, listening, observation, visioning, expressing, reflecting, providing feedback, innovation, and so much more. We aim to provide these skills to Springwell students through our creative integrated curriculum.

We are proud to share this innovative way to learn with our Springwell students!

More about our Artist in Residence

Ms. Carien Quiroga is an award-winning multimedia visual artist and educator that uses her artmaking and teaching practices to engage with creative communities both locally and internationally. Social Justice, mindfulness, and collaboration are at the core of her artistic work and teaching practices. Ms. Quiroga is on the Maryland State Arts Council Artist-in-Residence Roster, the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County and Artivate Teaching Artists Rosters.

She is also a Master Teacher and Instructional Coach for the Maryland Department of Education: Office of Fine Arts - Maryland Centers for Creative Classrooms. Her teaching includes professional development for educators, visual art workshops and collaborative projects for incarcerated youth and adults, including those with mental illness, intergenerational art programs as well as mosaic mural-making residencies in hospitals, residential treatment facilities and schools working with students of all abilities.