Arts Educator

Through Diane Cherr’s extensive art education experience, she has headed a school art department and been the artist in residence and workshop facilitator in a variety of settings. In addition, she advises high school students in portfolio preparation, as they create individualized portfolios for college admissions. She has worked with a variety of populations including pre-k, elementary, middle and high school, as well as disabled and older adults. She holds a MA in Art and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University (New York, NY) and a BA in Studio Art from Wheaton College (Norton, MA).

 Diane’s programs stimulate creative development, encourage problem solving and enrich art programs. Using a variety of media, including painting, drawing, clay, collage and printmaking, she focuses on the intersection of child development and the process of creating art, working independently and with art teachers to design and implement curriculum. 

“Diane's workshops stimulate creative development, encourage problem solving and enrich curriculum, using a variety of media, including painting, drawing, clay, collage and printmaking.”

Diane began teaching Pre-K through 8th grade art at Manhattan Country School (MCS) (New York, NY), where she honed her art curriculum and program development. While at MCS she developed an award-winning life drawing curriculum for adolescents, utilized museum exhibits and worked with Keith Haring on a project with middle school students. Diane also helped 8th grade students develop art portfolios for their applications to LaGuardia High School of Music and Art (New York, NY). 

Since moving to Westchester, Diane has been a teaching artist in a variety of venues including schools, museums, senior centers, and hospitals. With support from state and federal grants, Diane has developed many programs and implemented curriculum for pre-K through high school for underserved communities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. As a consultant for Arts Westchester, she planned and taught professional development programs to Mount Vernon School District’s Visual Arts faculty as well as teaching in the Mt Vernon Schools, (Mt Vernon, NY). Projects have included several printmaking curricula and a mural about apartheid and the life of Nelson Mandela at a Mt Vernon High School.

Other projects have included a permanent mosaic mural created by 300 students at Quaker Ridge Elementary School (Scarsdale, NY), funded by a PTA grant and fabric wall hangings combining intergenerational storytelling and children’s artwork at two preschools, funded by grants from UJA Federation. 

For high school students looking to build college admission portfolios, Diane tutors privately and teaches small classes. Each program is tailored to the needs and interests of the students. Their creative potential is maximized while building confidence and developing excellent pieces. Each portfolio celebrates the student as a unique artist while exploring a variety of media. For four years, Diane mentored underserved students at the Future 5 Program (Stamford, CT), providing opportunities and resources to create portfolios and apply to higher education art programs.

With disabled young adults, Diane tailors each program to accommodate their specific needs. Past projects have included a modular wall mural and printmaking curriculum. 

She has also developed programs for older adults, where personal memories and famous artwork provide inspiration for their projects. These workshops provide opportunities for socialization and exploration of new artistic techniques, media and narratives.

Diane brings the arts to many communities lacking both art programs and education. She enables her students to experience joy in the creative process and satisfaction in viewing the finished artwork.