About Me!
Who even is this guy?
I’m Zachary “Zack” Fontaine, an Artist and Art Educator from the New England area. I hold a BFA in Art Education from Montserrat College of Art, 2023.
I primarily work in materials of sculpture, installation, drawing, and painting. I explore branching themes of childhood, self-portraiture, and healing; and how those can be used to reflect on one’s current reality. In my work, I specialize in a colorful, maximalist visual style, “more is more”, as it were. I aim to unlearn what is deemed skillful as an artist and find my own path of artistic expression without the drive for a skillful approach.
In my teaching approach, I prioritize creating an inclusive environment where each student is acknowledged through both their artistic expressions and words. I firmly believe that everyone, regardless of skill, can produce sophisticated art by emphasizing skill . My goal is to establish a studio atmosphere that fosters equality, individual expression, and a sense of community, thereby empowering students in both their humanity and artistic endeavors. Recognizing the broader impact of art education, I emphasize the development of essential life skills such as communication, perseverance, and keen observational abilities beyond the studio. Granting students autonomy in their creative pursuits not only deepens personal connections to their art but also equips them with the skills for informed decisions in future artistic endeavors.
Zachary Fontaine
Teaching Philosophy “TLDR”
As a teacher, my focus is on creating collaborative and inclusive environments in the art studio, where every student is valued and supported both as a person and an artist. By treating students as equals, encouraging their unique artistic expressions, and fostering a sense of community, I aim to instill artistic independence and empower them to contribute meaningfully to the collective learning experience. I believe in the transformative power of art education, which goes beyond the studio to develop essential life skills such as communication, perseverance, and keen observational abilities. Through the art-making process, students refine their communication skills, learn perseverance through trial and error, and develop a critical eye through the analysis of art. Providing students with autonomy in their creative pursuits not only deepens their personal connections to art but also equips them with the skills to make informed decisions in their future artistic endeavors.
Teaching
Philosophy
My objective as a teacher is to emphasize collaborative, inclusive, and welcoming work environments. I strive to create a studio atmosphere where every student feels valued and supported as both a human and an artist. By treating students as equals and encouraging their individual artistic expressions, I aim to instill a sense of artistic independence, empowering them to embrace their creativity and contribute meaningfully to the collective learning experience. A sense of community goes a long way in the classroom as it allows students to freely communicate with me as well as with each other about their thoughts, feelings, ideas and needs.
I firmly believe in the significance of art education, as it cultivates a diverse set of skills that extend beyond the confines of the art studio, impacting various aspects of a student's life. Among these skills are communication, perseverance, and observational abilities. In the art room, communication skills are honed through the analysis, process, and critique of artistic endeavors, enabling students to articulate their thoughts, emotions, and ideas with greater ease and confidence. Perseverance is instilled through the iterative nature of the artistic process, teaching students to navigate trial and error, discern when to start over, and, most crucially, how to problem-solve. Lastly, observational skills are developed through the analysis of existing art, the act of crafting visual pieces, and the reflection upon past artworks to identify areas for improvement in subsequent creations. Granting students greater autonomy in their creative pursuits not only allows for the formation of deeper personal connections to their art but also lays the foundation for informed decisions in their future artistic endeavors, should they choose to further explore the world of art around them.