Hello!
MY NAME IS KYRA
Kyra Valovick, a full-time secondary school art teacher and part-time potter, was born and spent her early years in the Midwest, but moved to North Carolina for her high school years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in December 2022 from Longwood University in Farmville, VA, graduating with her degree in Visual and Performing Arts with a K-12 teaching certification. In her own work as a ceramic artist, she focuses on creating functional works, with an interest in the earthy qualities of the medium: the colors, textures, and images found in nature. She uses throwing techniques, carving, underglaze designs, and home-made glazes to keep both herself and her audience engaged.
With no formal artistic education before beginning college in 2019, Ms. Valovick dove into her studies with fervor, and had her work exhibited in three group exhibitions, one collaborative exhibition, and a research day presentation during her time at Longwood. Her focus in her studies also led to a scholarship, the Walton Scholarship for Art, that she received for two out of her three years in college. Currently, her work is featured in a local art gallery in Downtown Clayton - Heart 2 Hands - as well as at her local Farm and Community Market.
In addition to her own work, she also encourages young artists through her career as an educator. She teaches secondary level art during the school year, and she works with kids throughout the summer in various camps to hone their artistic skills. She is also a member of both the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and the Virginia Art Education Association (VAEA).
Artist Statment.
O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 perfectly shows us who the ultimate creator and artist is. Each person on this earth has been intricately made by God - from the color of our eyes to the veins that run through our bodies - God made us all intentionally. God made me with a passion for creating, and it is my purpose to use that talent to point back at Him.
I create functional stoneware that is rooted in simplicity and everyday use. I believe that handmade objects carry a greater purpose and power than mass-produced objects. They have the power to bring a smile to someone when they pour their first cup of coffee in the morning; to hold memories of family dinners filled with laughter; and to bring an intentionally to daily tasks. My pieces are meant to be touched, held, and lived with.
Nature is my greatest source of inspiration. God is the ultimate creator - Elohim - and His artwork is perfect and without defect. I am drawn to the colors of the earth, the textures, and the organic shapes around me. Leaves, flowers, and mountains find their way into my work, both in surface decoration and in form.
I like to challenge myself to explore new shapes, techniques, and ideas, while keeping function at the center of everything I make. It is important to me that my work brings a sense of joy to people - that they see it, smile, and imagine it becoming part of their daily lives for years to come.
Education
December 2022
Farmville, VA
Longwood University
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Visual/Performing Arts with PK-12 Licensure
Concentration: Design in Craft
Study Abroad, HAN University, Summer 2021
GPA: 3.9
Dean’s List (5 semesters)
President’s List (2 semesters)
Awards, Honors, and Scholarships
2019-2022
Farmville, VA
2021-2022
Farmville, VA
2020-2022
Farmville, VA
2021-2022
Farmville, VA
2019-2022
Cormier Honors College, Longwood University, Farmville, VA
The Bishop Scholarship, Longwood University, Farmville, VA
Walton Scholarship for Art, Longwood University, Farmville, VA
President’s List (2 semester), Longwood University, Farmville, VA
Dean’s List (5 semesters), Longwood University, Farmville, VA
Farmville, VA
Exhibitions, Collaborations, and Commissions
2022
Farmville, VA
2022
Farmville, VA
2021
Farmville, VA
2021
Farmville, VA
2020
Farmville, VA
2019
Buckingham, VA
Point of Departure, Group Exhibition, Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Farmville, VA
Calder Mobiles, Group Exhibition, Bedford Hall, Longwood University, Farmville, VA
Bug Brooches, Group Exhibition, Bedford Hall, Longwood University, Farmville, VA
Junior Show, Group Exhibition, Bedford Gallery, Longwood University, Farmville, VA
Paper in Public Places: Destruction of Ecosystems, Bedford Gallery, Longwood University, Farmville, VA (in collaboration with Ashton Talley)
Private Art Commission, Horses Healing Hearts, drawing (11 x 9 in.), charcoal and colored pencil on paper, Heartland Horse Heroes, Buckingham, VA
Teaching and Observation Experience
Clayton, NC
August 2024-Present
Wake Forest, NC
August 2023-May 2024
September-December 2022
Amelia; Cumberland, VA
January-May 2022
Chesterfield, VA
March 2021
Buckingham, VA
Secondary Art Teacher, Grades 6-12
Southside Christian School
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Design and implement engaging art curricula for a range of ages
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Provide constructive feedback to encourage learning and growth
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Mentor students in character development; foster kindness, responsibility, and a strong work ethic
Art Teacher, Grades K-6
Wake Preparatory Academy
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Write and teach lesson plans for grades K-6
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Manage the behavior of up to 30 students in a class at one time
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Attend and participate in staff and team meetings on a weekly basis
Student Teacher, Grades Pre-K – 5 (Art); Grades 9 – 12 (Art)
Amelia Country Elementary School; Cumberland County High School
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Create and implement lesson plans to be taught during five-week time period
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Supervise a class of up to 24 students at a time in each grade
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Assist all students by working one-on-one with those who need it
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Maintain and organize a clean classroom space
Practicum II Teacher, Grades 6-8
Bailey Bridge Middle School
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Consulted with Longwood professors to reflect on and grow from specific classroom experiences
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Delivered a one-week unit, from start to finish, including planning, project design, and visual aid creation
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Compiled a Teacher Work Sample with pre- and post-assessment data, classroom data, and student work samples
Practicum I Teacher, Grades 6-8
Buckingham County Middle School
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Attended online Google Classroom meetings with cooperating teacher
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Observed typical classroom setup with posted rules
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Learned typical school day functions, rules, and procedures
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Reflected on observational experiences with daily written papers
Volunteering and Service
2021-2022
Farmville, VA
2021
Raleigh, NC
2019-2020
Buckingham, VA
2015-2019
Raleigh, NC
2016-2018
Raleigh, NC
2016-2018
Raleigh, NC
2016-2017
Barn Hand Volunteer, Glory Reins Ranch, Farmville, VA
Food Bank Volunteer, With Love from Jesus, Raleigh, NC
Therapeutic Riding Volunteer, Heartland Horse Heroes, Buckingham, VA
Childcare Volunteer, Amplify Church, Raleigh, NC
Horseback Riding Lesson Instructor Assistant, Horses for Hope, Raleigh, NC
Therapeutic Riding Volunteer, Horses for Hope, Raleigh, NC
Summer Camp Riding Volunteer, Horses for Hope, Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, NC
Lectures and Workshops Attended
2021
2020
2020
2020
2019
2019
Artist Talk by Dr. Pamela Kachurin, Fine Arts Appraiser, Longwood University, Farmville, VA, October 2021
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Owns and runs PJK Fine Arts Appraisals in Durham, North Carolina
Artist Talk by Amy Jacobs, Papermaker, Longwood University, Farmville, VA, November 2020
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Works collaboratively with papermaking artists as the co-director of Dieu Donne in New York
Artist Talk by Zora Murff, Photographer, Longwood University, Farmville, VA, October 2020
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Photographs social issues using past and present juxtaposition
Artist Talk by Hillary Waters Fayle, Craft Artist, Longwood University, Farmville, VA, January 2020
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Uses leaves, snakeskin, and other organic materials in combination with embroidery
Artist Talk and Workshop by Beatrice Coron, Papercutting Artist, Longwood University, Farmville, VA, November,2019
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Simplifies subjects to create intricate, wearable papercuttings
Artist Talk by Ray Kass and Howard Risatti, founders of Mountain Lake Workshop, Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Farmville, VA, November 2019
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Uses chance in creating art