Hometown Hero: Amy McMenamin

“That’s beautiful,” Amy McMenamin said to her daughter while she was drawing Easter images and robins.

At any age, McMenamin, who is the fine arts teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel School, believes that art should be embraced.

Receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Cleveland Institute of Art and her Pennsylvania Certification to teach art for Kindergarten through the twelfth grades from Moore College of Art and Design, McMenamin has always had an interest in art. Her concentrations in college included drawing, painting and art history. Additionally, the will to educate is also in her blood as both her grandfather and father were teachers. She has taught at the Bucks County Community College and the University of Wisconsin.

What is unique about McMenamin’s teaching is that she believes that art is truly for anyone, especially her students, who she encourages to take creative liberties and think outside of the box.

“Art allows them time for creative expression,” McMenamin said. “Everyone can succeed in it.”

A typical day for her, according to McMenamin, is very busy and active. Each grade has different projects which are often reflective of their outside studies—for example, assignments on the ecosystems of the jungle.

“They’re not just doing art for art,” she said.

Additionally, McMenamin delights in the fact that her students take risks and want to employ objects in creating their pieces that are not traditional.

“If they want to use something that is not conventional, I encourage them,” McMenamin said. “Exploring new things is a plus.”

Moreover, McMenamin encourages her students to think critically, problem solve and do their research.

Furthermore, she takes pride in her nice and conscientious students who are willing to stretch their minds. Additionally, students’ parents and the administration are very supportive of her artistic and academic endeavors to enhance the students’ progress.  Students are able to submit their work for evaluation, specifically in the archdiocesan art contest and the Villa Joseph Marie art show.

Athough McMenamin is able to do something she loves every day, and do it part-time (which leaves her much quality time with her daughter), her budget poses some challenges. She would like to incorporate more technology as well as more media and supplies in her teaching. She is currently writing a grant to attain a smart board so that students can not only see different images but also interact with them. The room she teaches in now has a computer and a printer, and she also said how if extra supplies are needed such as ribbon, parents pitch in.

McMenamin, who is originally from the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, lives with her husband, who is also a professional artist, and daughter in Newtown. In her home, the creation of art is as regular as eating breakfast in the morning. An easel is set up in their kitchen for her daughter to use as well, and supplies like paint are readily available.

McMenamin and her family delight in participating in local activities, visiting parks, walking and hiking. McMenamin’s taste in art is wide—ranging from Da Vinci to Chuck Close.

Although she said she is more visual than auditory, she did admit to have a quirky taste in music including songs from “They Might Be Giants.”

Spreading art as a form of good is exactly what McMenamin enjoys. In fact, OLGC’s Spring Arts Gala will take place Saturday night from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door. Enjoy a night of performing and visual arts, in which students’ art work will be showcased and for sale to benefit the arts program.