Hanita Schwartz

Teaching Philosophy

Teaching Philosophy

I believe critical thinking, independent thinking, and Socratic questioning are at the heart of an art education. They challenge students intellectually, move them past preconceived ideas of what art should be, and help them discover what their own work can be. I listen closely, build flexibility into my classes, and give assignments that open up possibilities rather than prescribe a single outcome.

My teaching is personal, direct, and supportive. I want the classroom to be a place where students can take risks, make mistakes, and develop their own visual language. At the same time, I set clear expectations and benchmarks so students can see their progress and build the skills they need to reach their goals.

I believe creativity is innate, and that everyone can develop a stronger sense of themselves through making. Rather than starting with a medium, I often start with a question, an observation, or a problem. From there, students choose the materials that best serve their ideas, whether that's photography, drawing, sound, performance, found objects, or something unexpected.

I see each student as an individual, and I don't believe there is one formula that works for everyone. Students arrive with different backgrounds, strengths, and ways of learning, so I structure studio time to work with them one on one while leaving room for critique and group discussion. When a student needs a different approach, we find one together. Once students see that they have agency over their creative decisions, they take real ownership of their work.

I want students to leave my classes with a grounding in the history of art, the possibilities of contemporary practice, and the practical skills to make their work. Most of all, I want them to see art as a reflection of the time they live in. Art education should not simply repeat the past. It should give students the critical tools to understand what came before and the freedom to respond to the present.

Student’s work sample:

A reflection of a woman with a flower in her hair, seen through a glass mug, surrounded by discarded orange peels on a table.

A decorative black vase with two handles, placed in front of a piece of wood with rich texture and warm colors, against a dark background.

A wire clothes hanger on a wooden surface with a cloud and sky pattern painted on it.

Close-up of a detailed black and white sketch or print of a historic building with ornate architectural features and wooden shutters.

A pixelated black and white image of a human face.

Black and white photo of tall modern buildings with glass facades, viewed from the ground looking up.

Black and white mirrored photograph of two tall buildings with reflective glass windows, taken from an angle that makes the buildings appear to converge at the top, with traffic control signs reading 'Do Not Enter' at the bottom.

Black and white image of a bookshelf with books and decorative items, with some light reflection on its surface.

City street scene with modern high-rise buildings, trees, parked cars, and a sidewalk.

A person outdoors with a mountain landscape reflection on a mirror, holding a red kite string.

Black and white artistic photo of a shirtless man with short hair, seated with his arms crossed, looking downward, in front of a mirror that distorts his reflection.

A split image showing mountains on the left and a smooth, light-colored rock face on the right.

Close-up black and white photograph of a person's torso with a pair of hands holding blue strings across the chest area, creating a geometric pattern.

Interior wall with a mosaic of small square tiles in neutral tones, creating an abstract pattern. There is a black handrail in the foreground and a purple and black backpack on the floor.

An art installation of multiple blue and white circular discs arranged on a white wall, creating a wave-like pattern.

An art installation with numerous white cylindrical tubes on a white table, each decorated with blue sky and cloud images on their inner surfaces. The tubes are arranged in a pattern and vary in height and position.

A woman with dark hair and earrings looking at a row of red grapes on a blue and red striped cloth on a table in front of her, with a plain wall behind.

A pink door with a window panel showing a woman inside, some greenery, and closed pink lockers or storage units.

A person is holding three bitter melons against their stomach, standing against a plain wall, wearing a white towel with a purple embroidery pattern.

Portrait of a woman with short black hair, wearing a green beaded necklace and earrings, standing in front of a green and beige striped textile background.

A bedroom with green painted walls that have visible cracks and peeling paint, a bed with floral bedding, a window with blue and white patterned curtains, and a small religious picture on the wall with a rosary hanging below it.

Fake Native American ceremonial dress with fringes, embroidered trim, and a decorative headband with red feathers.

Collage of six images showing various body parts: left arm with tattoo, pubic hair, foot, hand, clenched fist, part of ear and head.

A wooden chair and furniture caught on fire in a wooded outdoor area with overgrown grass and scattered branches.

Traditional Native American themed jacket with lion and eagle embroidery, and a feather headband with red, green, and blue feathers.

Close-up of white paper with torn edges, arranged to create an abstract composition.

A white paper with a white paper flower cutout. The paper flower is detailed with delicate petal edgings and a soft gradient, creating a layered, three-dimensional appearance.

A white paper with a folded corner, creating a slight shadow and a diagonal line across the paper.

A white paper or card with a fold on the bottom left corner, placed on a flat surface. The photo is taken from above, highlighting the front and back sides of the paper. The image has a plain, minimalist background.

An elderly man with a white beard and mustache wearing a white suit, yellow bow tie, and straw hat with a black ribbon, smoking a pipe, against a purple background.

A man with dark hair and light eyes wearing a tan coat, a black face covering, and a gold chain.