DKG Art Gallery Spotlight: Viewing Teaching as her “Calling”

Cammille K. Taylor

DC State Organization, Delta Chapter

 “Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further”.    Artist, Keith Haring

With a clear passion for the visual arts, our spotlight artist, Cammille Taylor, brings life and vigor to her approach to teaching the visual arts.  Hailing from a large family, she draws from her experiences and purpose- driven life to every aspect of her calling… to teach and share her passion for the arts with others.  Following one of Cammille’s favorite inspirational quotes, the Arts and Humanities Jury invites you to “liberate your artistic soul” as we journey to highlight this dedicated sister and D.C. artist. 

Tell us about yourself as an educator and artist.

I am a spiritual person who strives to live a purpose-driven life. I’ve never viewed teaching as my job, I believe education is my “calling” and I’ve always approached it as such. God blessed me with artistic gifts, talents, and creativity so that I could help multiple generations of children develop theirs.  I’ve been placed in a position to touch students’ lives in ways others cannot, because of my divine motivation.

You might say the “C” in Cammille is for “creativity”.  Even as a young girl in elementary school, making paper dolls, designing Barbie doll clothes, and using rocks to draw on the sidewalk, I sought opportunities to be creative. After completing a special Visual Arts Program in High School and earning a BFA in Design with a minor in education from Howard University in 1975, I immediately started my career as an art educator in DC Public Schools, following in the footsteps of my father, a sister, and a brother. I taught elementary and middle school art for thirty-seven years, with thirty-five of them being in the same school, and classroom. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED creating opportunities to explore the world through visual arts. Although teaching students a variety of art skills was certainly important, my goal was to guide them in developing their own individual, and personal sense of self-expression. I wanted my students to learn to appreciate the beauty and artistic value that exits everywhere, and in everything.  

Tell us what inspired you and how you developed the artistic mixed media art you entered in the gallery.

Being the youngest of eight children, I was blessed to have four big brothers, three of whom were old enough to be my parent! (I actually have nieces older than me) During one of their retirement celebrations, they took a group photo where each of them had a big smile that captured their individual personalities.  I was always intrigued by the way artists such as Jacob Lawrence, Varnette P. Honeywood, and William H. Johnson would simplify the features of the figures in their paintings. Using this approach, I successfully represented each of their distinguishable stances and physiques. The red and gold striped background started as an homage to DKG, then add the green for contrast. I chose to use watercolor and marker because the two mediums complement each other, and dry quickly. My parents, sisters, and all my brothers, except one, have passed away, so creating the painting was a bit emotional. But I’m comforted in knowing they are smiling from Heaven.

What is the best artist advice you’ve been given by an artist or anyone?

“Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further”. This quote by the artist, Keith Haring resonates with me because it speaks to what art does for both the artist as well as the viewer. The other is “Creativity takes courage”. This quote by the artist Henri Matisse speaks to my apprehension and trepidation about creating work to be entered into the DKG Fine Arts Gallery. Yes, it did take courage.

What does the value of creative arts in education mean to you?

I’ve always considered myself an educator who teaches Visual Arts, as opposed to being simply an Art Teacher. I’ve always used an interdisciplinary approach, realizing the importance of the core subjects in and all disciplines. Although the words are used synonymously, I see “value” carrying more weight than “importance”. Any form of creative arts in education is valuable because of its perpetual benefits to the student. The inclusion of creative arts into any curriculum provides a wholesome outlet and means of self- expression not found in the rudimentary mechanics of most core subjects. Creative arts have been the saving grace of many students.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know? 

After retiring nine years ago, I immediately began serving as a substitute teacher, and continue to do so up to this day. I became a member of DKG only five years ago as a retiree.  I immediately became involved with the Humanities and Arts Committee in my chapter and serve as a chapter representative on the state level. I’d like to credit Margret “Peggy” Chambers, the DCSO HAC Chairperson, and Dr. Helen Flagg, who recommended me for membership for encouraging me to “stir up my gift” and begin creating artwork again. I never considered, nor presented myself as a practicing “artist”. As Matisse said, “creativity takes courage,” and they helped me find it.

We hope that you are motivated to reach your inner courage and share your various artistic interest with our sisterhood. The Arts & Humanities Jury agrees with renowned artist, Matisse, as it does take courage to share one’s artistic talents with others, but we encourage our readers to put themselves out there and try.  We look forward to you returning often to view exciting new content and to putting the C in Creativity in your pathway.

We invite you to view the Art Gallery, click here.

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