In this blog post series, you’ll learn more about Snow City Arts’ amazing Teaching Artists! Every weekday, our TAs deliver arts education to children and young adults in inpatient and outpatient pediatric units at our partner hospitals. Through in-person and virtual workshops in creative writing, media arts, music, theatre, dance and visual arts, they actively engage young patients, transforming hospital rooms into arts studios.
We are so proud of their amazing, tireless work, and we hope that you get to know more about them in these interviews.
DERRA MCWILLIAMS
She/her/hers
SCA: Is there an art medium you prefer/enjoy working with the most?
Derra: My favorite mediums to work in are definitely freeform crochet, and oil.
Who or what are your biggest influences?
My biggest influences are Bisa Butler, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, and Jo Hamilton.
Grimace by Derra McWilliams
If you could describe your work in three words, what would they be?
Vibrant, Tactile, Laborious
What is the hardest part of being an artist?
Realistically it can be hard to make an adequate living and even harder to find a good work life balance.
What have you learned so far working at Snow City Arts?
I’ve learned the importance of flexibility and adapting to situations very quickly.
Brisco Smize by Derra McWilliams
What have you learned from the students you’ve taught?
Being around kids this much has just reminded me to stay curious about all things.
What is your favorite project to work on with your students?
My favorite project to work on with my students is definitely the exquisite corpse project. They always like the autonomy it affords them and the wacky colors.
Valery (top) and Jerri (bottom) by Derra McWilliams
What is your teaching philosophy? or How would you describe your teaching style?
My teaching style is providing parameters for the students by providing the information, and validating whatever they take from it. I try to create an environment that feels collaborative with them.
How do you come up with art projects for your students?
I try to get a sense of what kids are interested in from kids in my family and students I see. I then workshop it with my fellow Teaching Artists.
Want to further support our Teaching Artists and the work they do? Donate to the Katie Kurcz Memorial Fund, which enables our TAs to intentionally reach outside of the hospital environment and across disciplines to pursue learning and collaborative projects that enhance their artistic practice AND impact their work with SCA students.
You can also read all our Teaching Artists’ biographies on our Staff page, or experience one of our TA-hosted virtual Art Parties.
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