France Hilbert

Background

About France Hilbert

I'm a French-American artist with a passion for teaching and a background in art from across Europe. My expertise lies in painting, sculpture, scenic design, and drawing, with a particular focus on figure drawing. Throughout my extensive career, I have taught art in various settings, including colleges, community centers, and public schools. Since 2018, I’ve taught fundamentals of drawing, figure drawing, and sculpture at the College of the Atlantic in Maine. What I've noticed among the people I meet in my classes, whether they're college students, adults, or younger individuals, is their strong desire to master traditional tools and techniques. They seek technical proficiency to explore their own artistic voices freely. I have been fortunate to work with students who demonstrate immense potential, each bringing a unique perspective that enriches the learning environment. Their drive for mastery of skills and creativity affirms the growing need for hands-on art classes—something I am passionate about providing. There is a growing need for hands-on art classes, which provide students with essential skills that are often overlooked in modern curricula. Physical engagement with the creative process helps students develop hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal expression. It also brings them closer to their emotions and environment, fostering empathy, awareness, and better mental health. By instilling values like openness, curiosity, initiative, self-discipline, respect, and awareness in my students, I prepare them for a future where these qualities are critically important. My goal is to empower the next generation to create a more empathetic and equitable society. In today's world, hands-on activities are more crucial than ever to reinforce cognitive skills in a society that's increasingly distracted and soon to be heavily influenced by AI. I've noticed that college students, in particular, struggle with focus. Through art education, I aim to help them develop the executive skills they need to succeed.