Lewisville Elementary Art Teacher Receives Scholarship to Study at Penland School of Crafts

Katherine Hartman with students

Thanks to a scholarship honoring Tony Swider, Katherine Hartman, who teaches art at Lewisville Elementary School, will be studying at the Penland School of Crafts this summer.

“It’s an honor and I’m excited,” Hartman said.

Hartman’s students appreciate what she does for them.

“She is always really encouraging,” said fifth-grader Kahlin Cossey, “and she always helps everybody out.”

“She always pushes us to do our best art work and she is really great,” said fifth-grader Lillie Gifford.

During his 40 years with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Swider served as both an art teacher and as an arts administrator. Arts supporters and educators established The Tony Swider Art Education Scholarship Fund to promote artistic growth.

Hartman with Penny Freeland and Brad Oliver

On Thursday, Brad Oliver, the school system’s Director of Arts Education & Summer Enrichment Programs, and Penny Freeland, the school system’s lead teacher for visual arts, dropped by Lewisville to recognize Hartman.

“She is an outstanding art teacher,” Oliver said. “She is also an extremely helpful person – very positive.”

Hartman with Angie Choplin and Jannie Stewart

Principal Angie Choplin said: “She cares about each child. She is always positive, patient…Every child leaves this classroom feeling like an artist.”

When she can, Choplin said, she enjoys dropping in on one of Hartman’s classes and making art with the students.

“She is exceptional,” said Jannie Stewart, the assistant principal at Lewisville. “She truly cares for the children.” 

  

Hartman has taught at Lewisville for 27 years and taught at East Forsyth High School for 9 years before that.

The Tony Swider scholarship is overseen by the Winston-Salem Foundation. Each year, the foundation notifies the school system’s arts educator of the amount available. Each scholarship is generally worth $3,000 to $5,000. Those wanting to receive the scholarship apply, and a committee of arts professionals and educators recommend a recipient to the foundation.