EDITOR’S LETTER: OCTOBER 2026

October is an ideal time to introduce projects, implement strategies, hone art skills, and increase art knowledge that will gradually bring out our studentsʼ inner artists. Collage is my medium of choice as a low-key entry point to composing a story. Providing access to materials like newspapers, magazines, older artworks, and vintage drawings can spark a memory or experience worth revisiting. By recontextualizing these materials, a new narrative can be told. The finished artworks become a springboard for communication, connection, and building a supportive classroom culture.

We all share stories, whether it is through social media, in person, texts, or even letters. In the art world, storytelling is a gateway to creating deeper meaning for a work of art. A good story can ignite curiosity and wonderment.

In the elementary lesson, “Rosetta Remix: Create Your Own Hieroglyphic Language,” Jessica “Jess” Beach invites her students to create their own language using symbolism based on personal interests. They use a blank alphabet grid to think about what types of symbols have meaning to them to add structure to their newly developed personal languages.

In “Four Ways Cartooning Sparks Storytelling,” Margaret Hespen introduces her middle-school students to cartooning. It encourages them to share a story without the intimidation of creating perfect drawings. Experiencing how other subjects can tie into the project reinforces the effectiveness of cartooning.

At the high-school level, Giovanna Ochoa and Jess Perry-Martin’s “Chicano Lowrider Art: Cultural Identity and Artistic Expression” celebrates Chicano culture through sculpture and painting. Students find inspiration from culture and heritage in connection with the community they live in.

Whether itʼs through art, writing, or speaking, storytelling is about inviting others into our lives. With time and practice, we can become better storytellers. What story will you tell today?