Haystack

Maine Art Education Conference

Another successful conference was held at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts last weekend by the Maine Art Education Association. The workshops were intense and included the following choices:

• Creative and Useful Bookmaking: Sally Allen
• Alabaster Carving: Anne Alexander
• Encaustic Painting: Diane Bowie Zaitlin
• Animal sculptures with clay using enclosed forms and additions / Tim Christensen
• Plein Air Painting / Cooper Dragonette
• Responding to ­ Photography in Europe/ Brenton Hamilton
• Knifemaking / Tim McCreight

After a little bit of rain on Friday, the sky cleared and the moon shined beautifully that evening. As traditional, slides of the artists’ work and stories were shared on both evenings. The annual silent auction brought in over $1000.00 for the student scholarship fund. Teachers took the time to visit other studios which provided viewing the processes, learning from others, and meeting art educators. And, of course, the beautiful Haystack environment provided a unique experience. Just being there seems to bring out the creative juices that art teachers have. The food was excellent (although I miss the spanakopita that used to be served on Saturday night)!

A great big thank you to those who attended and especially to the planners of the annual conference Reagan Russell and Lynn Wildnauer!

I participated in the Bookmaking session and learned how to make several books including a stab book – one that I have been interested in for a long time. I am looking forward to filling the contents. I have to say that the most fascinating session for me of the weekend was the knifemaking workshop. It was amazing to stop by and see the progress and what each teacher was creating.

If you are not a member of the Maine Art Education Association I urge you to submit your membership request asap. Heidi O’Donnell, the new president, and other new slate of officers are committed to providing a top quality professional organization for Maine art educators. To join the organization please contact membership chair Jodi Thomas at Jodi jodi.thomas@thorntonacademy.org or president Heidi O’Donnell at heidiaemaine@gmail.com.

Maine Arts Assessment Initiative members Leah Olson, Suzanne Goulet, Argy Nestor, Catherine Ring, Pam Ouellette