The Mississippi School of Art at Brookhaven has welcomed a new visual arts teacher for this fall.
Brookhaven artist Brandy Land Johnson is MSA’s newest faculty member. A longtime art teacher in the area, Johnson has a bachelor of arts degree from Mississippi College and a master’s degree in arts education from Art of Education University.
“I will be teaching two design classes and an advanced painting and drawing course in the first semester,” says Johnson. “Then in the second semester I will have ceramics classes, Paintings I and II, and mixed media (classes).”
Johnson has been an interior designer and draftsman, and has taught for 11 years privately, at Faith Presbyterian, and in the Lincoln County, Brookhaven and Brookhaven Academy school districts.
“In college, I focused on interior design because my parents wanted me to get a job,” says Johnson. “I did that for a while at Jackson and I enjoyed it. But when I came back to Brookhaven, I tried it, but never liked it. So I try to teach some and like to teach. So I came back to get what I needed to be able to teach (and) get my teaching license.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Brandy to our faculty. As a local artist and Brookhaven native, Brandy has demonstrated her talent over the years here in our area,” said MSA Executive Director Suzanne Hirsch. “We know his experience will bring new perspectives to our students while bridging MSA deeper into our community in a positive way.”
Johnson says he enjoys being in an environment where art is highly valued and where everyone has the same mindset about art.
“The kids who are there want to be there and learn, and the government respects that too,” he said. “So we had great facilities and all the supplies we needed — and it sank! I’ve worked hard — This is a dream come true. That’s all we wanted.”
Being the only art teacher at school can be difficult, but “having people who understand my way of thinking or think the same” is a blessing, the educator says. “Now I can be part of this group and I’m not alone.”
Students who begin August 1 classes know they are learning and developing skills they can use for the rest of their lives, Johnson said.
“They tend to go into (arts) careers and they would have no chance without this school. This is really exciting. It moves me,” he said. “I love these kids. I love these artists, and it’s great to see them realize their potential and take advantage of it.”
Johnson says he wants his students to “know more than they need” when they enter college or university, to get scholarships and excel. And he wants them to build confidence — in their talent and in themselves.
“A lot of these kids don’t have much confidence,” he said. “I want them to leave me feeling that they are talented people with skills that not everyone has, and ‘I matter.’”
Young artists thinking of attending MSA should take it seriously and start preparing at least a year in advance, says Johnson, because it’s not an easy process.
“There is a process. You have to have certain things in your portfolio, so … take them seriously.”
He knew some students would have good art teaching and know a lot, while others would naturally be good but never had art teaching.
“I want to help them. I want them to be the best.”
The new studio teaching space he will have is also a benefit to Johnson.
“My favorite medium, personally, is watercolor. I want to do a lot more,” Johnson said. “I’ll be in this amazing studio space for many more hours a day and I look forward to doing more of my own art.”
Johnson wanted his mother to be able to see his new opportunity, but she died last year.
“My mother is my main teacher. Seeing this, I think he will be happy.”
