From personal experiences as an indigenous "African American" woman born and raised in Harlem, a range of discrepancies in the art education practices in the public school system was noticed. With these acknowledgements, assumptions such that the lack of access to quality arts education programs corresponds to the presence of a certified art teacher and/or a skilled teaching artist in the school, as well as to socio-economic issues of race and class. Therefore, the matter of not giving youth access to innovative development and/or creative discourse deprives them from skills that most future professions utilize. Growing up as a divergent thinker and challenged to think divergently throughout my childhood, allows me to connect to the advocacy of sufficient art education in schools that do not have adequate art education.
Biography
B. Hill, M. Ed. is a Life-long passionate artist and designer, native to Harlem-New York City. The passion and devotedness towards art and design was acknowledged from toddler years, before taking any art instruction. As a teenager, attending one of the most prestigious specialized art high schools in the city of New York (High School of Art and Design), only geared B. Hill in right direction towards earning a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, then a Masters of Science: Art and Design Education degree from Pratt Institute. B. Hill now exhibits and paints live, showcasing her ten plus-year figurative subject matter: “A Woman’s perspective” painting collection. In conjunction with exhibiting, she expands her international art education foundation, “Art Education with B. Hill”, providing art curriculum to underserved schools and communities. Possessing over ten years of training and education within visual arts has not only surpassed her natural talent as an artist, but also made her the professional artist she is today.