Update 2/2021 – I recently retired from my teaching position after 23 years of learning from my middle school students. I am now working part time for Massachusetts College of Art and Design, in the role of Teaching Practicum Program Supervisor, where I guide and assist student teachers throughout the Art Educator certification process. I’m also using my time to develop craft with pottery and watercolor and have established a page called, Rocky Pine Studios, to share my progress and wares. I expect to maintain this blog to share reflections and photographs of my semi-retired life, and I’m wide open as to what I’ll include. I hope you’ll come along for the ride.
Original “About” information – Welcome to Mona Lisa Lives Here! The purpose of this blog is to share the goings-on of my middle school art room and sometimes other things. I would like you to feel as if you are a fly on the wall, or for a more artistic reference, a brush in the can or a painting on the rack. I believe the middle school art room is a special place to be and I want to give you a chance to be part of it. Occasionally I will share stories of travel, my own art making, or reflections on varied experiences, especially during summer. Enjoy!
My name is Alice Gentili and I teach visual art to about about 500 students each year, but I loop with them for their second year, which makes it easier for all of us. One of our classroom walls holds a collection of Mona Lisas that I have found at flea markets. My students and I go home at the end of every day, but the classroom Monas stay at school. That is why this blog is called “Mona Lisa Lives Here”.
Your website is amazing! I teach art at an elementary school in Volusia county , Florida. everything I have seen here, so far, gets me so excited! This is my 32nd year of teaching and I continue to learn so much! Thank you for ALL that you are sharing. You are an amazing person. I would love to meet you someday. Tomorrow, I will share your site with my group of local elementary art teachers on facebook!
It was my son James first day of middle school today and when he came home I asked to see his schedule. When I saw his schedule, I noticed he had art for a specialist class. I said to him I’ll see if we can change that to something else as he’s never been much interested in art. He said, No mom, my art teacher is awesome! I want to stay in art. I’m good at art. Not sure what transpired in art class, but I’m sure excited to meet Ms. Gentili!
Thank you so much! It was a pleasure to meet James today and I hope he continues to love middle school all 180 days of this school year! Looking forward to meeting you at Open House!
[…] About […]
Hi Alice!
I believe I met or at least saw you at TAB institute In 2018. Your blog is full of such great artwork by you and your students! I enjoyed reading your biography and how your work and life has progressed.
I teach k-5 in Brooklyn, NY and also have an 8 yr old son who is my student as he has been at the school where I’ve taught for 5 years since kindergarten.
Diane shared the chicken project that was being conducted virtually at MASS art. Did the chicken project idea originate with you? Wonderful idea-I didn’t do that with my students yet but if we happen to start the next school year virtually it would be a good thing to start with!
I also saw your 365 day drawing challenge prompts and have used some of those with my students. Thank you for sharing those!
Hope you continue to be well.
Best,
Kirsten
Hi Kirsten – If you read the post, you’ll see I credited Chuck Stigliano with the original idea (twice). Best wishes with continued remote learning!
News fromThe Andres Institute of Art and an invitation…..
Dear Alice,
I feel as if I know you as you are such a sister in art…my education: classes in Pratt and re-entry in the 70s at the Boston Museum School. I am currently the President of the Andres Institute of Art and found your site while examining the web for bios of symposia artists to round out the Docents program for the Institute. I was absolutely thrilled with your coverage of the AIA ‘s collection of work.
Art is my life too after retiring from being a realtor I came out of retirement to help the Fitchburg director of arts and after school programming. When the 4 yr grant expired I retired again but not for long. I was asked by the Fitchburg. Cultural Alliance to be manager oif the Rollstone Studios on Main St..The building was sold and I retired again after great fun planning community activities. After moving to Milford NH JOHN WEIDMAN our Art Director asked if I’d like to be manager of trails but the BOD liked my resume, so here I am having the time of my life.
This year our activities are increasing from the Iron Melt fundraisers, gifted performance by George Winston, A Walk for Peace with the Mariposa Museum (Peterborough) Our first annual Sculpture Racing event led by Christian Herold of the peoples sculpture racing group…( MIT).
Then restarting the symposium after two years without due to Covid…we’re being visited by an artist from Whales and Egypt and America. Our guest speaker is the terrific gentleman who was the first director of BVAU ( Boston in the 70’s) Mark Favermann…who is a true renaissance man, at the closing ceremony Oct 2.
I’m writing not only to show appreciation of you but to also thank you for your work and to invite you to our symposium. Theme “Catch 22”
The opening ceremony is 9/10 and the artist will be here for three weeks.
Hoping for your consideration…Gail Bloom
Thank you for reaching out. It seems as if you have landed in an ideal role. We love the Andres! Please send further info about the symposium to me at amgentili@me.com.