Toll Gate Grammar School - Gillian Beck and Student Artists

Ox:   Patches

About the Artist

Gillian Beck teaches art to grades first through fifth at a wonderful school called Toll Gate Grammar, which is a part of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District.  Ms. Beck graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania during which time she earned both her bachelor’s degree in art education as well as her fine arts degree.  During the course of her studies, her concentration was in painting with a focus on watercolor.

The Stampede was especially important to the artist because she grew up in Pennington and she feels a strong connection to the community. Ms. Beck’s interest in community-based projects began with her involvement in the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Training Program. This interest manifested into several community-based projects during her first year of teaching; one of which was the “ I Dream a World” 4th grade Artist in Residency. In addition to her love of teaching, Ms. Beck is also a practicing artist and is currently working on a series of locally inspired aerial landscapes in watercolor.

The community ethos is prevalent in her artwork and is reflected within her teaching philosophy.