Everyone is an artist when they step into our classroom!​

Here at Trace, students are learning about various artists and cultures, art movements, techniques, materials, and history. Each student has their own sketchbook where they can brainstorm and form a plan before executing their pieces, and each will have a portfolio to keep at the end of their time in the studio.  Making art is about exploration and improving dexterity, process over product, and learning about sharing, discipline, responsibility (such as cleaning your own messes, respect, conserving and upcycling materials), and patience.

Lessons are integrated with the core curriculum students are learning in their classrooms. Students are learning that some pieces take time to produce, so many of our projects take two visits to the studio or more. Importantly, students are provided an outlet to express emotions through productive creativity.

Examples from this year's students' work include Day of the Dead (oil pastel on cardboard), Halloween haunted houses (mixed media) and watercolor resist/oil pastel, and Pumpkin Pie slices inspired by Pop artist Wayne Thiebaud (crayon/colored pencil).

About Ms. Noel

Hello VPA family! My name is Jolene Noel, and I am thrilled to be a part of the visual arts program and the Merritt Trace community! I hold a BA from San Jose State University, several teaching certifications, and was twice recognized as a Dean’s Scholar, President’s Scholar, and graduated summa cum laude. I have taught in TK-12 th grade classrooms in multiple subjects and have been with San Jose Unified School District for nearly a decade.  I also spent time as a docent for the Art Vistas program!

I have always been an artist and create whenever possible during my free time. Art is my passion!