I earned my teaching degrees through specialized training programmes at the University of Pécs (PTE), the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), the Janus Pannonius University of Pécs (JPTE), and the Hungarian University of Fine Arts (MKE). These include qualifications as a drawing and geography teacher, a moving image and media studies teacher, a visual environmental culture teacher with a museum pedagogy specialisation, a fine art therapist specialisation, and a specialist-examined practice-leading mentor teacher.
As a master pedagogue, I have been a visual culture subject advisor since 2017. I have been in the teaching profession for nearly 40 years. During this time I have taught drawing, media and art history, and conducted museum education sessions. I am currently employed by the Pécs Art High School and Vocational Secondary School.
As a drawing teacher, my students and I have generally achieved fine results in national and international competitions, contests and the National Secondary School Academic Competition (OKTV). Among these I would particularly highlight the “Do You Have an Artistic Vein?” competition organised by the Ludwig Museum and Deák 17 Gallery, in which we qualified as national first-place winners for the international meeting in Bratislava. Many of my students chose drawing and artwork analysis, as well as art history, as subjects for their school-leaving examinations and went on to pursue further studies in these fields.
In my pedagogical work, beyond the transmission of techniques and fundamental art-historical knowledge, the primary aim is to support individual path-finding within the creative process. Therefore, in both group and individual sessions we approach the given topics through the central questions of art psychology and aesthetics. Among the functions of art I prioritise the liberating power of expressivity, which helps in understanding individual and communal problems, seeking solutions to them, and developing a positive outlook on life. I gladly employ the project method, working with a different theme each school year. I also greatly value sessions held in a museum environment, since the inspirational effect of original artworks is an unmatched source for both understanding and practising art.
I strive to introduce students to contemporary art and to foster a love for it. In recent years, together with my drama-specialisation students, I joined as a partner school the experimental programme of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences within the Moholy-Nagy Visual Modules (teaching the visual language of the 21st century), specifically by piloting Module 4 (contemporary visual art). The module’s task is to sensitise students to contemporary art; it prioritises conversation, experimentation, the effort to change viewpoints, and creation based on concept formation. The students enjoy it greatly; I feel that on several occasions I have succeeded in easing their anxiety and motivating their visual talent. The research was led by Dr Andrea Kárpáti.
I believe that the presence of art, at every level, is essential in the life of our increasingly aggressive and alienating society. I believe in the improving and purifying power of creation and beauty. For this reason I consider it important to operate as widely as possible extracurricular fine and applied arts programmes outside school, since every opportunity must be given to bridge the gap between high art and everyday art. Whether for a child, an adult or an elderly person, it is never too late.
I have several times given shorter lectures at the Art Pedagogy Conference in Budapest. To my great joy, in 2023 the National Association of Hungarian Drawing Teachers (MROE) recognised my teaching and talent-development work with its Quality Award.
Styrna Katalin
Art history – drawing – media teacher
Drawing and visual culture subject advisor, master teacher