“Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” — Twyla Tharp
As an arts education specialist, Patty Eljaiek works at the intersection of art, ideas, and practical implementation. As the owner and director of Art Out of Anything, Patty creates and executes programming in arts education with a focus on contemporary artists using repurposed materials and engaging SEL skills. Through her work with organizations such as The Simple Good of Chicago, Community Change, and The Center for Educational Innovation and the New York Department of Probation, she has fostered partnerships with youth groups and schools that have resulted in large scale public art installations focused on art concepts and techniques that align with social justice themes. Patty is a founding member of Westbury Arts, a 501c3 arts organization. During her 5 year tenure as Chair of Programming and VP, Patty oversaw a $30,000 programming budget, streamlined the organization’s online proposal process, and established yearly multicultural and diverse programs which were consistently awarded NYSCA DEC grants totaling over $15,000. She created and continues to manage the first ever Summer Arts Camp funded in part by the Village of Westbury. In summer 2020 her team successfully transitioned the summer arts camp to a virtual platform that served 48 students and their families in Westbury, Carle Place and Mineola, NY.
As a recipient of a 2019 NYSCA DEC grant, for her program, A Family of Women, she has presented workshops at Colgate University, Syracuse University’s La Casita Cultural Center and Circulo de la Hispanidad in Hempstead NY.
Patty is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and continues to create and exhibit her own artwork all over the U.S., that reflects her experience as a first generation American immigrant.
TAP Work:
“This has been my first time with The Teaching Artist Project as a member of the Class of Fall 2020. It has been a great getting to know so many artists and teachers with such diverse experiences and disciplines. As a participant in the arts admin track with Katie, I have gained a better understanding of the role an arts administrator can play within an organization. Although I have been doing much of this work for a while, there is always something to learn and improve upon. Our work has validated and energized my goals in the field of arts education.”
Most Memorable TAP Moment:
“Meeting all the other artists from every discipline and being able to collaborate with them. The salons and collaborating with my affinity group have been my favorite part of the program.”
Find out more about Patty here:
