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Thaddeus Jurczynski
Primary Discipline: Visual Arts Areas of Specialty: Sculpture, Batik, Celebration Arts, Parades, Puppetry, Masks and Props
Based in: Port Townsend
Biography: Thaddeus Jurczynski is a sculptor and celebration artist. He makes giant puppets for parades and also works on commission. He has a large Chinese Dragon Puppet at the Port Townsend City Library and his six foot tall glowing anchor is featured in Port Townsend's annual First Night celebration. Jurczynski is a certified teacher and enjoys presenting art and science enrichment workshops and residencies. He has presented artist in residency programs throughout Puget Sound and has been invited to Taiwan twice as a celebration artist to work on the annual Dream Community parade. Last year he served as artistic director for the IsleWilde performance festival on Vashon Island. 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 Curriculum Integration Possibilities: Literacy/Reading/Writing, Math, Science, History/Social Studies, Technology, Other Arts Disciplines
Additional Interests/Experience:
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