Andrean Andrus

Art Teacher

Master Teacher Mrs. Andrus has taught art to as many as 10,000 students during her long career. Her favorite medium is painting; she loves exploring various techniques and adding mixed media to her artwork. Did you know she’s taught art in eight different countries?

Art Teacher

Master Teacher Mrs. Andrus has taught art to as many as 10,000 students during her long career. Her favorite medium is painting; she loves exploring various techniques and adding mixed media to her artwork. Did you know she’s taught art in eight different countries?

Impacting Students
I enjoy teaching linoleum block printing to seventh graders. Deductive printing is a complex project where students must create a drawing on a linoleum block then cut away the first layer. They print the first color, then cut away more from their block, again printing but this time on top of their first print. They cut away again and again, until there is very little left of the block. When students see the end result of the process they are totally amazed they could create such an amazing print. I love to see their reactions!

Lifelong Learner
I went on a summer sabbatical to Oaxaca, Mexico and traveling with 10 art teachers from all over the US. We spent two weeks learning about the art of Oaxaca: wood carving, painting, and weaving. I saw the best artisans of Mexico and came back to Graland with a whole new understanding of Mexican art and the motivation to create new projects in several areas of the art curriculum.

Favorite Teaching Moment
The year I had several winners in the National Scholastic Art Contest and one of the Gold Key winners was my son, Max!

Artist I Admire
Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an Austrian painter/architect. His use of shape and color is amazing. I fell in love with his work while living in Germany.

Inspiration
I had an amazing high school art teacher. She was always so inspiring, encouraging and positive. We became close friends and later when I was teaching in Germany, she and her husband came to visit me.

Feels Rewarded When
I hear of an alumni that has chosen a career in art.

Life Goals
Travel to Australia and New Zealand; show my artwork in a Denver gallery.

Fun Fact
I flew over Mt. Everest and trekked in the Himalayas.

Other than Graland, I Support
National Art Education Association, Colorado Art Education Association

Joined Graland in...
1982 - A Master Teacher!

Also Known As ...
Alumni Board Member, faculty search committees

Hometown
Hamilton, Montana

Education
BA from Colorado Women's College
MA from University of Northern Colorado
La Poggerina, Florence, Italy
Klingenstein Fellowship at Columbia University

Back

Graland Country Day School

Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.