North Country’s Finest: Retired Art Teacher Continues To Inspire Students

In her 36 years as an art teacher, B.J. Blodgett has shown thousands of children the finer points of artistic expression.

Newly retired, she has left a lasting gift at Watertown’s Wiley School that will inspire current and future generations of students.

The school district asked her to choose a work of art that will be donated and displayed in her name.

Blodgett selected a print by French artist Henri Matisse.

The work now hangs outside the Wiley library.

She was also asked what the school should do with the wall in the back of the library, she decided to design and paint an ambitious 12 by 62 foot Matisse-inspired mural.

“I used to do many lessons about Henri Matisse,” said Blodgett.

While students at Wiley no longer have the benefit of Blodgett’s teaching, she’s still conveying the philosophy of Matisse’s self-expression.

See Mike Boyce’s report:

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Comments

7 Responses to “North Country’s Finest: Retired Art Teacher Continues To Inspire Students”

Danielle Spencer on September 19th, 2008 1:40 pm

Mrs.Blodgett was by far the best art teacher ever!!!!!!!!!!!! I am now 24 years old and I can still remember her art class. It was the best class of the day. Sad to know that she is retired. Kids now a days need someone like her to inspire them
Ritz on September 19th, 2008 3:42 pm

As a former student of hers, I remember fondly her lessons on Matisse. I hope she has a great retirement. She always inspired me to think outside the box.
fred feldman on September 19th, 2008 6:14 pm

B J was a great asset to the school system and a lot of fun in the classroom. She truly loved teaching and I hope she gets a chance to continue with her own art work. Happy retirement! Fred Feldman[retired art teacher].
Joy (Sullivan) Ritter on September 20th, 2008 10:27 pm

Mrs. Blodgett was my teacher in the early 1980’s at Knickerbocker Elementary. She is one of the teachers I have the fondest memories of. She not only inspired my creativity, but she taught me to love school and learning. I often think of her when I’m working on projects with my own children. She emphasized the positive in everyone, and motivated young minds to reach beyond their expected potential. Her energy will continue to grow through the generations who have had the pleasure to be a part of her focus and devotion to teaching.
Paula Curtis-Galaydick on September 21st, 2008 10:43 am

Mrs. Blodgett was by far the best art teacher I ever had. I am 38 years old and I had her for a art teacher when she teached at Ohio Street school. She encouraged me to do well in school, and she gave me a passion for art that is undescribable. I always remembered her throughout the years. She instilled in me the beauty of art and what u can make of it. I think she has made me the person I am today.
John Bourbon on September 21st, 2008 3:24 pm

Mrs. Blodgett made my day years ago when she gave me an A+ on this terrible, hairy, firetruck drawing I did. I expected an F and had dreams of her saying, “who would want to be saved by that?”. She will be missed!
Kristin Kelly Vicencio on September 24th, 2008 4:00 pm

We love Mike Boyce. We are fans of his here in Albany, and this was a great story. Matisse is one of the best artists of all time.