Jeremie Sorensen believes some of the best moments in teaching happen when children discover they can create something they never thought possible.
“I have had so many students who say, ‘Oh, I’m not artistic,’ and then they create this incredible piece of art, and all of a sudden they’re surprised by it. They’re looking down at it, going, ‘I did this. I made this, and it’s beautiful.’”
That moment of discovery is one of the reasons Sorensen continues teaching at Oats Park Art School, where she will lead a four-day folk art workshop for children ages 7 to 12 beginning Aug. 10. Although she retired from the Churchill County School District, she said working with young artists is still something she enjoys.
“My sister told me that teaching was a calling because, you know, as a teacher it’s a hard job. It is. And there are times where you think I can’t do this anymore, right? But there is a reason why we were put on this earth, and I was put on this earth to teach kids.”
For this workshop, Sorensen chose folk art because she believes it gives children the freedom to create without worrying about perfection.
“So I fell in love with folk art. I’m kind of a folk artist because folk artists are not. They didn’t have formal training. Most of them were self-taught, and they didn’t come from a lot of money. A lot of them live in these little rural communities, and it’s not about perspective and realism. There are no rules. It’s okay if the dog is bigger than the house, or if you want to paint the tree purple. It’s just more of storytelling, and that’s what I like.”
Asked why folk art is a good place for children to begin, Sorensen said the style removes the pressure to make everything perfect.
“I think it’s very kid friendly. I mean, again, I’ll go back to I think it’s what you would call worry-free art. So they have the confidence to take a risk and know that it doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, it’s better if it’s not.”
The workshop also reflects Sorensen’s own childhood.
“I picked it because the Cantaloupe Festival is coming up, and I want to honor the farmer,” Sorensen said. “We’re deep rooted in agriculture here, so let’s tell a story about farm life in Fallon.”
Sorensen grew up in Tulare, California, where her father operated a dairy farm. The workshop’s farming theme reflects those memories and celebrates Fallon’s agricultural heritage. The sample she created features a classic red barn and Holstein cow, while students will create their own folk art inspired by farm life and their own imaginations.
The four-day workshop will be held Aug. 10, 11, 13 and 14 at Oats Park Art School. Sessions are scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. for children ages 7 to 9 and from 11 a.m. to noon for ages 10 to 12. The $50 registration fee includes all supplies, and students will display their artwork during a Young Artist Reception on the final day. Registration is available through the Churchill Arts Council.
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