Where Are the Boys in Art Class? Reflecting on a Growing Gender Gap in Secondary School Art Education.

Over nearly two decades of teaching Art, I have observed many changes in the classroom. One trend in recent years, however, has become increasingly noticeable—and concerning. There has been a steady decline in the number of male students choosing Art at the senior secondary school level. In earlier years, it was common to see more boys than girls in Art classes at senior secondary school level/KS4. Even in the schools where I taught both the WAEC curriculum and the English National Curriculum (IGCSE), the ratio of boys to girls used to be fairly balanced. Now, girls are significantly more represented at the point when students formally register for the subject in their senior years. This shift did not happen overnight, but over the past six to seven years, the decline in the number of male students choosing Art has become increasingly noticeable. This raises an important question for educators: Why are fewer boys choosing Art? Is it the perceived rigour of the subject? Is it the resilience, focus, discipline, and consistent effort required to meet demanding coursework and strict deadlines? Or could other factors be influencing this trend—societal perceptions about Art, career misconceptions, peer pressure, or the way creative subjects are presented to male students? Art education is far more than drawing and painting. It builds creativity, critical thinking, persistence, and the ability to solve problems visually—skills that are valuable across many modern careers. If boys are gradually stepping away from the subject, it is worth asking why? As educators and school leaders, we may need to rethink how we present, support, and encourage engagement with creative disciplines. I am curious to hear from fellow Art educators and school leaders: Are you noticing a similar trend in your schools? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- hashtag#ArtEducation hashtag#ArtEducator hashtag#ArtTeachers hashtag#IGCSE hashtag#EducationLeadership hashtag#LinkedinPost hashtag#CreativeEducation hashtag#IGCSEArt hashtag#TeachingAndLearning hashtag#MaleArtstudents hashtag#ArtTeachersonLinkedin hashtag#SecondaryEducation hashtag#FemaleArtStudents

Celebrating Creativity: 2nd Place Winner in the 2025 Amb. Aduke Alakija National Art Competition!

I am delighted to celebrate one of my talented Art students, who has emerged as the Second-Place Winner in the Art Category of the 2025 Amb. Aduke Alakija Memorial National Art and Essay Competition! Responding to the theme “Heal Our Earth: Proffering Solutions for a Better Planet,” the student’s artwork stood out for its creativity, originality, and a powerful message of environmental harmony. 🎨 Artwork That Speaks for the Earth The featured piece portrays a symbolic handshake between a human hand and a flourishing, nature-like hand — a striking visual of unity between humanity and the environment. Blooming flowers, vines, and rays of sunlight symbolize hope, renewal, and the urgent call to restore our planet. This artwork beautifully demonstrates how art can advocate for sustainability and inspire us to protect the world we share. 🏆 A Remarkable Achievement The competition organizers described the piece as “exceptional, inspiring, and impactful.” I am incredibly proud of this achievement, which reflects both the student’s dedication and my ongoing commitment to nurturing artistic excellence and environmental consciousness in young creators. 🌱 Congratulations to My Young Artist This success marks another milestone worth celebrating. I look forward to witnessing how this young artist’s creativity will continue to inspire positive change in our world. Together, we can help heal our Earth — one artwork at a time.

Beyond Fabric: The Art of Dyeing and Bleaching

When most people think of dyeing and bleaching, they picture everyday tasks—changing the color of clothes or removing stains. But in the hands of young artists, these techniques become creative tools that bring fabric to life in exciting and unexpected ways. At the school where I currently teach, our Art and Design students are exploring dyeing and bleaching in ways that go far beyond their usual use. They aren’t just changing colors—they’re telling stories with fabric, using color, pattern, and texture to express ideas and emotions. Even bleach, which is usually seen as a cleaning product, is turned into an art material. Our students use it to create contrast, draw patterns, and experiment with light and dark areas on fabric—almost like painting, but with a chemical brush. It’s always exciting to watch these young artists take something ordinary and transform it into something completely unique. Their work reminds us that art isn’t always about using expensive tools or materials—it’s about seeing new possibilities in everyday things. From bold, colorful dyed fabrics to dramatic, bleached designs full of contrast and texture, their projects show just how creative and imaginative textile art can be.

Abiola M. Samson, *Cambridge Certified Art and Design Educator *Ohio State University, U.S.A Trained Teacher, *Official Judge, World COBIS Art Contest *British Council Trained Teacher

Why Teachers Should Learn Basic Artistic Skills for Classroom Displays 🎨📚

Why Teachers Should Learn Basic Artistic Skills for Classroom Displays 🎨📚 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A classroom isn’t just a place for lessons—it’s an environment that inspires curiosity, focus, and creativity. One of the most underrated ways to achieve this is through visually engaging displays. When teachers learn basic artistic skills—such as color harmony, layout balance, lettering, and simple illustration—they don’t just decorate walls; they create learning spaces that capture attention, reinforce learning, and spark imagination. Benefits include: ✅ Boosting student engagement – visually appealing displays draw learners in. ✅ Enhancing retention – visuals make concepts easier to remember. ✅ Fostering creativity – an inspiring environment encourages students to think outside the box. ✅ Showcasing learning progress – work displays celebrate student effort and achievement. Even a few simple skills in composition, hand lettering, or display arrangement can transform a classroom from functional to inspirational. After all, every teacher is also a curator—of knowledge, of inspiration, and of the environment where learning happens. -------------------------------------------------------------- hashtag#Classdisplay hashtag#Schooldisplay hashtag#Colourfulclassroomenvironment hashtag#Learningenvironment hashtag#Education hashtag#ArtInEducation hashtag#TeachingTips hashtag#CreativeTeaching hashtag#TeacherDevelopment

POTTERY MAKING

Pottery refers to objects made from clay that are shaped, dried, and fired in a kiln to create durable, often decorative or functional items such as pots, vases, bowls, or sculptures. It is one of the oldest human crafts, often categorized into three main types: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain, depending on the type of clay and the firing temperature used. Some of the techniques in making Pottery are: 1. Hand-Building: A traditional method where pottery is made without a wheel. Sub-techniques: - Pinching: Using fingers to pinch and shape the clay. - Coiling: Rolling clay into long ropes and stacking them to build forms. - Slab Building: Rolling out flat sheets of clay and cutting or molding them into shapes. 2. Wheel-Throwing: Using a potter’s wheel to shape clay by spinning it and molding with hands and tools. This method allows for symmetrical and precise forms. 3. Slip Casting: Pouring liquid clay (slip) into plaster molds. This is commonly used for mass production or intricate designs. 4. Molding: Pressing clay into pre-formed molds to create shapes or patterns. This can involve press molds or hump molds. However, these techniques can be combined or used independently to create both functional and artistic pottery works. The images attached is a display of the Coiling method through hand building, carried out by one of my wonderful mentees in Art. -‐------------------------------------------------------------------- #Handbuildingmethod #Pinching #Coiling #Slabtechnique #WheelThrowing #SlipCasting #Molding

HYDRO DIPPING ART

Hydro dipping is all the rage, and a super fun way to decorate your stuff with amazing designs. From water bottles, to tennis shoes, to skateboards, hydro dipping can give your favorite items a vibrant swirl of color.  It is also a form of water transfer printing. Colours are applied to the surface of water to create a pattern and when an object is dipped into it the colours and patterns adhere to the surface of the object. It’s also known as immersion printing and is a form of marbling.

Hydro dipping is also regarderd as a craft technique that originated in the US, hydrographic dipping (shorted to hydro printing) is popular with young people as it’s a fun way to personalise their belongings like trainers and mobile phone cases. It involves dipping 3D items into a container of water that has colour in it either from spray paints or hydro-dipping films.

It's a craft with the wow-factor that gives professional results – people won’t believe you did it at home. The aesthetic is similar to tie-dye, marbling and acrylic pouring.

THE PROCESS;

1

Gather what you need. Begin the hydro dip process by deciding what you want to paint, then pick paint colors and find a water-tight container large enough to accommodate the object. You can use one color of spray paint, or several colors to swirl into cool designs with a disposable wooden stick.

2

Set up the painting area. If you can, set up outdoors (e.g. in your driveway or on the lawn) to avoid having your home smell like spray paint fumes. Make sure all of the items you will need are within arm’s reach, as the process of hydro dipping can go very quickly. Fill your container about ¾ full with lukewarm or warm water, as the ideal temperature for spray paint is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 10 to 32 degrees Celsius).^[2]

• If you have to set up indoors, open as many windows and doors as possible and nearby furniture with plastic sheeting.
• Make sure to keep children and pets away from the area while you paint.

3

Apply a base coat. In the event that certain spots on the object do not get covered in paint when you dip it, apply a base coat color that will show through. Use spray paint to coat the entire surface of the object. Let it dry for 2-3 hours before you start the hydro dip process.^[3]

4

Spray paint onto the water’s surface. Make sure to shake the spray paint cans thoroughly to mix the paint before applying it. Hold the can 10 to 12 inches (approximately 25-30 cm) from the surface of the water and spray it to your heart’s content until the surface is coated. Switch between colors as desired to make your own unique creation. Colors will swirl together naturally on the water’s surface. To make smaller swirls, use a clean wooden stick to stir the colors until you’re left with a design you like.

5

Dip the object in the container of paint and water. Put on gloves and make sure that the object you are painting is free of dust or debris. Slowly dip it into the container until it is fully submerged. Slowly pull the object back out of the water.  If you do not wish for the object you dipped to receive a second coat of paint on its way out of the water (which might alter the original swirl pattern of the paint), part the paint on the water’s surface before pulling the object out of the container. Having a second person to help you would be a big help for this step!

6

Leave the object to dry. Place the painted object on a plastic sheet or piece of cardboard to air dry. To make sure it is completely dry, let it sit for several hours before touching it. If you leave the object indoors to dry, make sure it is left somewhere safe where children or pets will not have access to it.

7

Use a clear, spray sealant. To keep your hydro dip paint looking fresh and clean, spray it with a clear spray sealant (available in hardware stores in matte, semi-gloss, or gloss finish). Spray an even coat over the object and let it dry for several hours. Apply the sealant only after the object is completely dry.

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NOTE: The images attached to this writeup are the pictures of one of my creative Art students carrying out the Hydro dipping art, using a sparkling white Sneakers as the surface to work on.

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Additional sources: How to Hydro Dip (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Hydro Dipping: A Beginners Guide To This Decorative Technique (prima.co.uk)

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...Abiola M. Samson,

*Cambridge Certified Art and Design Educator

*Ohio State University, U.S.A Trained Teacher,

*Official Judge, World COBIS Art Contest

*British Council Trained Teacher

 

DECORATIVE MIRROR ART

A Mirror is a surface that reflects light and produces an image of an object placed in front of it . The image is reversed in the opposite direction from which the light shines. Mirrors can be made of polished metal, glass coated with metal, or other materials with high reflectivity. A mirror is a true representation or a model of something else. 

Meanwhile, Decorative Mirror Art is a type of art that involves using mirrors of different shapes and sizes as a medium for creating art pieces. It can be used to create beautiful and unique wall art pieces that can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any room, offices, bathrooms, lounges, schools etc.

You can find decorative mirror art in various styles such as elaborate decorative framed mirrors, delicate water drops mirrors and wavy frameless mirrors.

In addition, Mirrors, and their reflective quality, carry innumerable symbolic connotations. Thus, mirror art can take many forms. Some artists choose to build off of the legacy of Narcissus — forcing their audiences to confront themselves and their bodily existence by reflecting those who view their art. 

 Here in this post are some images of my Art students         carrying out fantastic Decorative Mirror Artworks for 2023 OPEN HOUSE; An exhibition of different projects, ranging from Art, Science, Drama, Music, I.T, etc.

 

 

----Abiola M. Samson
Ohio State University, U.S.A Trained Art Teacher
Official Judge for World COBIS Art Contest
Cambridge Certified Art and Design Teacher