"...a true community can only originate in the creativity, effort, and skill of all its members."
"To me, the lesson of the WPA is how to empower individuals and, by doing so, build community," said John Pickersgill, COSACOSA Youth Development Specialist and Spare A Dime teaching artist. "Everyone has something to contribute to society, and a true community can only originate in the creativity, effort, and skill of all its members. We need to be inspired. We need to cultivate creativity. As the arts wither away from a public education based in standardized testing, we need to recall a time when culture was valued. Through the WPA, art educated and lifted the spirits of the entire country. We need to recapture that grand sense of cultural identity and look to the arts as a mode of critical thinking rather than a mere commercial endeavor.
Pickersgill is an alumnus of Temple University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education. He has taught in public and charter schools throughout Philadelphia. His work with COSACOSA applies his pedagogical expertise to create new curricula infusing art into K-12 education. A Philly native, Pickersgill connects with a wide variety of arts, cultural, and educational organizations throughout the region to engage students in their larger community while building lasting literacy and social studies skills in the classroom. In his spare time, Pickersgill prioritizes travel, musical expression, and his passion for cooking. He attributes much of his culinary curiosity and inspiration to travels in Southeastern Asia. His favorite contemporary author is David Sedaris (for his cynical wit, lyrical agility, and lighthearted, campy perspective regarding dysfunctional families and the like). His favorite musical artist is Regina Spektor, and his favorite food to prepare is fresh, homemade bread. Pickersgill also writes the Something for Nothing: Thrifty Foods from the 1930s entries for the Spare A Dime blog!
Pickersgill is an alumnus of Temple University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education. He has taught in public and charter schools throughout Philadelphia. His work with COSACOSA applies his pedagogical expertise to create new curricula infusing art into K-12 education. A Philly native, Pickersgill connects with a wide variety of arts, cultural, and educational organizations throughout the region to engage students in their larger community while building lasting literacy and social studies skills in the classroom. In his spare time, Pickersgill prioritizes travel, musical expression, and his passion for cooking. He attributes much of his culinary curiosity and inspiration to travels in Southeastern Asia. His favorite contemporary author is David Sedaris (for his cynical wit, lyrical agility, and lighthearted, campy perspective regarding dysfunctional families and the like). His favorite musical artist is Regina Spektor, and his favorite food to prepare is fresh, homemade bread. Pickersgill also writes the Something for Nothing: Thrifty Foods from the 1930s entries for the Spare A Dime blog!
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