Teaching my first class – I was nervous, but I did it scared, and it went amazing! What a rewarding feeling.

From the start, this experience has been a series of lessons learned and fears overcome. I went in with the idea that I would be doing more behind-the-scenes activities that Anastasia didn’t have time for. Though that is how the experience started for me, she had bigger plans in mind. During week three, she approached me about teaching a watercolor demonstration. She must have seen the fear in my eyes because she countered by saying that I should do it only if it makes me comfortable. This was the first lesson learned. I often think of self-advocacy as pushing for more than you are offered, but the way that Anastasia has led me throughout this volunteer experience has also reminded me that it is just as important of a skill to ask for less if you are feeling uncomfortable.

Teaching Dianna! I helped her recreate the countryside of Feisole so she can remember it back home! Her Work at the Art With Love foundation was her first contact with watercolors and Art since childhood!

Getting these types of ideas across while working with Anastasia has also been a major skill I have developed throughout this process. She is learning English, and I barely speak Italian, but we are learning ways that we can communicate. The use of a translator is not a negative thing, but just a tool to communicate with others! That is how I was able to orchestrate my class, and everyone who was involved still had a wonderful experience! My art teaching abilities have also been majorly improved by this experience. In dealing with the language barrier, I have had to take an extra second to think about the simplest way to convey my ideas, which has been helpful for thinking about the methods I employ when making art as well. I also have had experience with both individual and group teaching, which have been very different but equally meaningful.

Learning that it’s ok to say no! It’s also important to push yourself out of your comfort zone, but advocating for yourself means more than just asking for more. My first two weeks, I spent painting canvases and shadowing Anastasia, and I eventually became comfortable enough to teach!

Up until this point, individual mentoring was not something I had tried, but I liked it quite a lot. Overall, this experience has been the epitome of doing it now, not when you’re ready – because you never really will be, and you actually are, despite what your brain is telling you!

Written by: Allison, Spring 2025 Florence student from Miami University