Great Gifts for Art Teachers / Art Instructors

Gifts for art teachers can be as simple as a hand written thank you note from a student or as complex as a gift basket, but art gifts are often the most preferred type of art teacher gifts. Art teachers dedicate a lot of time to students, teaching them the world of creativity and beauty while maintaining their own artistic talents. Whether you are purchasing a gift for an elementary school art teacher or you are selecting a gift for your personal art instructor, buying art teacher gifts can be confusing.

Watch - The Color Magic Watch, available from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a real conversation starter. Throughout the hour the unique second hand dial mixes a palate of colors along the watch face. Prices vary by size and style from $35 to $65. Also available in White to Black, this watch is art in itself. Your favorite art teacher will find it practical yet whimsical.

Fine Art Tote - For $19.99 plus shipping, you can buy your favorite art teacher a 16" x 17" fine art tote bearing the image of one of twelve different fine art paintings like Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night" from Salamander Graphix. If your budget is a little less, some of the offered designs come in a smaller, more compact size of 10" x 14" for $16.99. Your favorite art teacher can use this bag to tote visual aids, papers to grade, art materials, or personal items. These bags make quite a bold statement.

Artist bear - The adorable Artist Gift Teddy Bear from artistgifts.com features a cute bear wearing a beret and paint splotched smock apron holding a palette, and miniature paintbrush. For $65.95 plus shipping you can buy this 15" tall, ultra cute Vermont teddy bear and have its smock personalized. Bear comes in Vanilla (white), Buttercream (ecru), Honey (golden brown), or dark chocolate (dark brown.) Bear can also be ordered with an optional Goatee moustache and beard. You can also purchase this bear from Vermont Teddy Bears, but it is the same price.

Art Book - The book Teaching Talented Art Students, Principles and Practices by Gilbert Clark and Enid Zimmerman is a must read for art teachers at any level. Released by the National Art Education Association, this book centers on why we teach art, what role art plays in education, and ideas for teachers who encourage students daily. This book has 40 pictures and 35 figures to help provide curriculum approaches and assessment of gifted art students. 168 pages, and available from Walmart.com.

Suede Sketch Set - A stunning item for any artist is the suede sketch set, a product carried by Isabella. For $49.95, you can buy a beautifully made sketch set with two charcoal pencils (hard and soft), eight different lead pencils, a ruler, a quality pencil sharpener (metal), an eraser, and a spiral bound sketch pad that mounts in the unit. This item comes in a natural light suede and has a sleeve for each item in the set. The sketch set wraps up neatly for tying closed with an attached suede cord.

Da Vinci Journal- The Nostalgic Leonardo da Vinci Journal from Reading Etc. is a lovely expression for any art teacher or student. For $23, you can check out an antique-looking journal for recording thoughts, ideas, weather, and daily activities. The cover bears a quote and a sketch of the perpetual wheel.

Framed Fine Art Print - Consider a fine art print from Art Select. These prints come pre-framed and are found in a wide range of artists and styles. Be sure to browse the outlet for great deals up to 80% off. I found a Harold Silverman print for under $35! Can't decide? Consider an Art Select gift certificate in any increment from $10 - $500.

DaVinci Shirt - For $44 (On sale for $18 currently) you can buy an awesome long-sleeved black shirt for your favorite art teacher from Philosopher Garden. This gift comes in small, medium, large, and extra large and features the quote "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci. Red and white cubes dot above the quote. It is made of 100% vintage sheer Jersey Cotton, which has been preshrunk.

Teacher Mug - I found one of the most incredible mugs on Westport Style's website. For just $12.40, you can buy a mug and coaster that says "The great aim of education is not knowledge but action" a quote by Herbert Spencer. This teal blue stoneware mug with blackboard motif is 3.75" x 4.5" and comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee.

Stationary - What teacher doesn't appreciate having stationary and note cards handy to send quick thank you notes to supportive parents and jot a special message down for colleagues? For ornate, well made correspondence sets for your favorite art teacher, consider decorative cards and envelopes from Flax Art. These note cards come in several varieties, including Bird, Bird Ephemera, Koi, Pink Paris, Butterfly, and Camellia. Each set comes with enough items for eight messages - 8 envelopes and 8 heavy cream colored correspondence cards to go with them. Price is just $15.

Art themed gifts for art teachers populate the net in several varieties of both fun gifts and practical ones. With all the gifts out there today, you will likely have as much fun shopping for your favorite art teacher as they will have opening your gift! Happy Holidays.