Teaching at Homeboy Art Academy – Elsa Fishman BFA Sculpture 2026

Hello from LA! Things have been going well here at Homeboy Art Academy, and I am now in the middle of our summer classes, which will end in a few weeks. I started teaching my Sculpture classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and it has been challenging but a great learning opportunity. 

I have been teaching both young adults (18-25) and youth (14-18), which have both posed different challenges and rewards. We started with wire sculptures on wood blocks, which students were able to manipulate and sculpt. We then added nylons on top, creating organic forms, which students were able to further manipulate. The following week, we gessoed the sculptures, turning them into beautiful forms that look like they were carved out of plaster! The students have had a variety of reactions to these sculptures, but the majority of students have enjoyed creating something tangible and three dimensional with their hands. 

As someone with an abstract sculpture background, I’ve been trying to slowly integrate more abstract forms into their experience of art. This has been a challenge! It’s difficult to explain the importance of abstract art to students who have little to no art background. At the same time, this has also begun to shape the way I am approaching sculpture as a field. I’ve begun to ask myself why I am so drawn to abstract and non representational work and what experiences I have had that have shaped this tendency. To some extent, I feel like I’ve been able to look at sculpture through the lens of my students, and that has been a humbling and grounding experience after RISD. 

We have since moved on to polymer clay sculptures that we are turning into keychains, and the students have loved this. The youth, in particular, are really enjoying making things that they want to keep and take home. A highlight was when a few students asked if we could continue working with the clay next week even though I was going to introduce something new! Something I have learned this week is that making projects that students can finish in a day and then take home is a great way to encourage engagement and a sense of accomplishment. 

In the next few weeks I will continue teaching and supporting the Art Academy with events and other classes. I’m looking forward to continuing to build relationships with my peers, students, and growing as an artist and educator!