Bonita Vista High (BVH) Integrated Math III teacher and Artisan Club advisor Andrea Romero-Marquez is not only an educator, but also an advocate for nurturing creativity among her students both within and outside the classroom. Her passion for art has led to her forming the Artisan Club, which provides students with an opportunity to explore their creative potential and doodle their way into the world of art.
“I walk around the classroom and notice that there were all these kids that doodle on their homework and their notes instead of listening to me. Then I realized there was a need for art, so I decided to create something that is not an art club because art is not just drawing and painting, it is a lot of things,” Romero said.
Romero has always had a deep passion for art, which began during her childhood. She recalls her early years in school when she would doodle during her teachers’ lessons, something she believes nurtured her passion into the world of art.
“I have always been a doodler, doodling on my homework my whole life until an art teacher from BVH—who retired—encouraged me to take Advanced Placement Studio Art as a class. I was just a doodler, drawing people’s names for fun and for free so they could put it on their binders,” Romero said.
Recognizing the desire her students held to express themselves through art, Romero decided to establish the Artisan Club. This club provides students with a space where they can engage in various artistic activities without the limitations of traditional classroom settings. The Artisan Club aims to foster creativity and a strong sense of community among young artists.
“I like painting, mixed media and photography; I like all of it. To me, art is not one thing; it is creation and I love to create,” Romero said.
One of the more memorable projects Romero has undertaken was over the summer. Romero took part in the MEChA mural project in Chicano Park Mural, consisting of 60 painters. The work was designed to pay homage to the cultural heritage of Chicano Park.
“I think my favorite project overall was The MEChA mural. I was one of the sixty artists up there in Chicano Park doing street art [in places] where you were allowed to. I spent every sunset fifty feet up painting working on it making sure it is perfect and I am just so in love with it,” Romero said.
By actively participating in such significant projects, Romero not only imparts the value of community and culture through art, but also serves as a living embodiment of the principles she instills in her students. She hopes that her own experiences in art such as collaborative mural projects can encourage young artists to break free from self-imposed limits, experiment and explore the world of art with an open heart. Artisan member and senior Agustin Hodoyan, expresses admiration for her.
“Romero’s passion for art helps us by encouraging us to do what we want to do, with her giving constructive feedback and actually trying to relate to the students and their art,” Hodoyan said.
For Romero’s students, it seems her influence extends far beyond the realm of art. Senior and Artisan Club President Uriel Lopez mentions how he feels Romero has shaped him into a better individual.
“Romero has really inspired me to be better as a person overall, she taught me how to handle the emotions I have through art. Art is not just painting, it is numerous things; painting, photography, graphic design, and all types of multimedia,” Lopez said.
Hodoyan highlights some of the innovative methods employed by Romero in the club. Not only does she actively engage in organizing activities alongside the members, assuming a leadership role, but she also places great importance on seeking input and opinions from The Artisan club’s members.
“Some of the innovative methods Romero does in our club is that she really tries to organize as a leader. However, she also wants to hear our own members’ opinions on matters as well to see what they want as well,” Hodoyan said.
Collaboration is another key component of Romero’s teaching style. She aims to foster a sense of community within her classrooms, encouraging her students to work together and learn from each other. This cooperative spirit instills a sense of teamwork, empathy and open-mindedness, qualities that she hopes will serve her students well in their future endeavors. Junior Karina Gutierrez makes statements on her teaching style.
“One thing I love about Romero is that she will not sit you with random people, she lets you sit with your friends if you are comfortable with them . If you do not have people to hangout with in the class, she will make sure to introduce you to people so you are not alone,” Gutierrez said.
Romero’s students feel they have gained a deeper understanding of the world around them. They have become more empathetic and open-minded individuals because of her teaching. The students demonstrate an ability to think outside the box in various aspects of their lives.
“I think honestly Romero transformed my life in the aspect of me becoming a better person, not just to myself, but also to others. I love Romero. She honestly makes my day so much more positive and I just absolutely love her teaching style,” Gutierrez said.
