Thaddeus JurczynskiThaddeus Jurczynski

 

Primary Discipline: Visual Arts

Areas of Specialty: Sculpture, Batik, Celebration Arts, Parades, Puppetry, Masks and Props

 

Based in: Port Townsend
Phone: 360-732-4144
Email: tadezdada@yahoo.com
Website: http://artsthaddeus.blogspot.com/

 

Biography: Thaddeus Jurczynski is a sculptor and celebration artist. He makes giant puppets for parades and also works on commission. His nine foot long Chinese Dragon Puppet overlooks the children's area at the Port Townsend City Library and his fourteen foot long Mermaid Puppet graces the entrance to Sirens Pub. Jurczynski is a certified teacher and enjoys presenting art and science enrichment workshops and residencies. He has presented artist residency programs throughout Puget Sound and has travelled to Taiwan twice as a celebration artist. In addition to these residencies he also provides educational programs for groups such as Power of Hope, the YMCA, the Shoreline Arts Council, and local and regional libraries. He is currently a substitute teacher with the Chimacum school district.

 

When asked about his approach as a Teaching Artist, Mr. Jurczynski wrote this: "I consider myself a catalyst. My role is to provide students with the tools, materials, and guidance they need for discovery learning. I believe that learning is something that children do, not something that is done to them. I want children to know they can be artists and to learn how they can use art based knowledge and skills. I enjoy working with kids and am inspired by what they create. I enjoy working in the public schools because I am able to have an impact on so many students. I also enjoy collaborating with teachers."

 

Suitable for Grades: K-12
Preferred Grades: 3-12

Curriculum Integration Possibilities: Literacy/Reading/Writing, Math, Science, History/Social Studies, Technology, Other Arts Disciplines

 

Additional Interests/Experience:

  • Leading Professional Development workshops for K-12 Teachers
  • Working with at risk students
  • Working with students who are English Language Learners

 

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