Divisions come together in exciting printmaking lesson

By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

The smell of ink and a buzz of creativity filled the art studio at University School of Nashville recently when a group of third graders arrived for what felt like an in-school field trip. Third Grade Teacher Cala Millis’ class made the trek to the Tibbott Center to visit High School Art Teacher Chris Cheney’s printmaking studio, getting an up-close look at tools, processes, and possibilities they don’t usually see in Lower School.

For Millis, the visit grew out of a simple conversation. While chatting with Cheney at the school’s three-day juried art show, Arclectic, about his artwork and the tools he uses, she was intrigued by the equipment he mentioned, especially what lived in his art room.

“I thought it sounded fascinating and asked if I could bring my class to visit sometime and check it out,” Millis said. 

That conversation quickly turned into a collaborative moment that highlighted one of the unique strengths of a K-12 campus.

Stepping into a different part of the school was exciting in itself for the third graders. While Millis has more than 15 years of teaching experience, this is her first time working in a K-12 environment, and she said she loves the way it allows students to share space with peers at completely different stages of learning. One of her goals was simply for her students to experience the thrill of seeing the “big kids” in action.

There was also artistic curiosity at play. Millis’ students already enjoy their weekly art classes with Lower School Art Teacher Betsy Hoffman ’83.

“Ms. Hoffman does an incredible job of involving them in the artistic process and giving them opportunities to play with many different types of media,” Millis said.

Visiting the High School studio gave them a glimpse of what comes next: new tools, new scales, and new ways of making art. 

“It’s an opportunity for them to see all the different mediums and levels of art, and hopefully inspire some of them to continue to choose art classes in high school,” Cheney said.

Cheney was equally enthusiastic about opening his space. With his daughter Bernadette '35 in Millis’ class, the connection felt natural. 

“I always love it when other teachers show an interest in what’s happening over here in Tibbott,” he said. “When Ms. Millis expressed interest, we just made it happen.”

During the visit, the third graders observed Cheney’s printmaking class hard at work, explored a functioning letterpress, watched USN’s new laser engraver in action, and each left with a take-home print and a piece of laser-cut wood. With new machinery humming and the High School class working on their projects, the room was loud throughout the visit. 

“The machine is so loud!” Celine Absi ’35 said while watching the laser engraver. 

The noise of the studio itself was part of the lesson. 

“The noise and motion of the room is what makes it appealing and inspiring,” Cheney said. “It’s good for them to see art in a lot of forms, and I hope that they saw that there’s lots to do in this one room.”

Both teachers emphasized how powerful it is for students to interact across divisions. 

For Millis, it helps her students see themselves as part of the USN community for the long haul.

“These students are going to be part of USN for the next decade of their lives,” she said. “Seeing what the older students are doing gets them excited for their learning and reminds us all of what a special place USN is.” 

Cheney agreed, adding that these experiences make the future feel familiar rather than intimidating. He sees this type of cross-division collaboration as something worth the time and effort to explore more often.

“High schoolers might seem scary, but they really aren’t,” Cheney said. “It turns out that they like it when younger students show up to see what they’re up to.” 

As the third graders headed back to their classroom, it was clear the visit would stick with them. 

The keepsake was something that helped students see the final result of the process they got to see. 

“We’re going to get our own posters, right?” Celine asked before her class left the studio.

Millis reflected on how meaningful the experience was, especially as a new teacher at USN. 

“Mr. Cheney was so great to let us come and visit his class, and it was so kind of him to send a keepsake home with the students,” she said. “I know they will be talking about this for a long time.”

This memorable field trip didn’t require a bus, but just an open door, and a willingness to learn from one another.