Formal Resume for Leah Newton
Leah Newton has a Master’s Degree in Education with a California Clear Single Subject Credential in Art, a California Clear Credential for Multiple Subjects, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She has been teaching since 1996 in both public and private schools in grades K-12. Leah is a Curriculum Specialist for Arts Education for Elk Grove Unified School District in Northern California. She is also a Teaching Artist for The Kennedy Center in Washington D. C..
Leah has received multiple awards, showing her artwork in a variety of art galleries. She has been featured in the California State Fair twice, once earning an Award of Merit. She has also been featured twice in the Wild and Scenic Art Festival, and twice in the Crocker Kingsley Art Exhibition and Competition. She has recently transitioned from Siy Gallery in San Francisco, where she held her first solo show, “On Becoming” to the Blue Line Arts gallery in Roseville, CA where she is currently a member. Leah published her first children’s book, “Of Wonder and Dreams” that she both authored and illustrated.
Contact Leah
Get in touch with me via email at: leahnewtonart@gmail.com
Book a Class
Leah Newton is available to visit your school and teach a lesson. Choose from one of her lessons or request one. She loves teaching all ages and abilities.
Overview of structure of art lessons
- The student lesson plans I have created are based on the elements and principles of design for ages 4-14 with class sizes ranging from 15-30 students.
- Classes are considered specialty enrichment and often are integrated to, and supportive of, the Common Core academic curriculum.
- Units take approximately 3-4 weeks to complete assuming each lesson is taught for one hour every week.
- At the end of a unit, each student creates a final frame-worthy piece of art.
How it all began
For me, kindergarten was amazing! We sat in large circles and listened to stories, we sang songs, we danced, we acted out plays, and we made art. I have vivid memories of this magical time and embraced every moment.
I remember specifically the day we were coloring Babar the Elephant; the popular thing of the day. On the worktable was our coloring sheet, and the basic coloring crayons; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black and brown. This is a very normal selection for a 5 year old. I was not okay with these options.
I remember feeling frozen. My teacher came over to me and calmly asked what was wrong. I told her that I did not have the right color for Babar – Babar is grey. She smiled and directed me to just use a black crayon, and to use it lightly. I turned and screamed at my teacher, “Elephants are not light black!!” I cried and cried until my mother came to pick me up.
My teacher pulled my mother aside later that day, and advised her to enroll me into a school for the arts. I had a unique connection to color. My mother, instead, chose to put me into a Catholic School. There I would struggle for many many years…except in any creative project that came my way, and especially during the very rare but treasured art period.
I believe our earliest memories hold secrets to who we deeply are and how we should live our lives. For me, making grey elephants, unlocked an important key for being able to live my creative dreams.
Artist Statement
As an artist, I am attracted to liminal space, and how intricately we are all connected with nature and her mysteries. I strive to capture details and colors with my brush and enjoy the challenge of working with acrylic paints in order to create movement on my canvas.
I believe art only really requires the desire to create and believing you can. My personal goal is to change this often heard statement, “I am not creative.” I believe we are all creative in some capacity. While I may not be a gifted singer, (actually I have a degree in dance and I love to paint but please do not ask me to sing) but I am a creative person because I am a human. As humans, we have the ability to imagine, and create, and innovate. We need architects, doctors, inventors, landscapers – all kinds of people, in all kinds of careers, to think creatively. Being creative is not just about drawing and painting. It is about bringing something new into being that you made from your personal vision.
