Bob Keyes article in the Maine Sunday Telegram provides the latest news on Ashley Bryan. His show opened recently at the Portland Museum of Art and it is fantastic. At age 95 Ashley is working on a number of books and is planning on one being completed within the month. It is a book of collages based on Christina Rosetti’s poems. He’s also working on a larger project based on his time during WWII when he served in the segregated Army. Seventy four years ago he was at Omaha Beach.
I was very excited to read that he is working with Maine composer Aaron Robinson who happens to be a former student of mine. They are collaborating on an African-American requiem for chamber orchestra, choir and spoken voice.
“He’s calling it “A Tender Bridge: An African American Requiem,” based on a Bryan quote: “I always confuse the past and the future, the way I mix up death and life – they are connected only by a tender bridge. This is why stories are at the heart of civilization.”
Plan to take your students to the museum for the showand watch for information on the performance of one of Ashley’s books scheduled for the end of October.
“Oh, When the Children Sing in Peace,” 2006, collage of cut colored paper on paper, from “Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals,” 12 by 20 inches. Photo from Portland Museum of Art
Even though another Maine Arts Leadership Initiative Summer Institute (MAL) is history (number 8), the work for the MALI Teacher Leaders and Teaching Artist Leaders is just beginning.
I am so impressed with the topics that participants have taken on – each year the work is more comprehensive! I will include information about the research the leaders have underway in a future blog post.
The work is challenging and participants make a commitment to stretch themselves as they build on their knowledge and expertise as educators in the arts. MALI’s educators are committed to providing quality arts education for every Maine learner.
Often I am asked so what’s MALI all about and how can it impact me as a teacher? Below you will find some of the initial feedback received at the conclusion of the institute. The comments reflect the thoughtfulness of the participants and will provide a glimpse of the power of participating in MALI as a “leader”.
This institute may have changed my entire outlook. I feel like I have value and can help others through my work.
The energy was great.
Thank you for bringing us all together! The constant stimulating conversations are exhilarating! (joyfully exhausting). I LOVED the storytelling element.
Powerful presentations great stories
Gained a tremendous amount of insight into other teacher’s schools, jobs and lives. Always amazing experiences with MALI.
Thank you for the community connection of the Museum of Art and Ashley. Very inspiring.
Lots of great info. Introduced to new concepts. Networking and connections.
Amazing sharing! Inspired beyond belief by my peers.
Once again, I’m leaving excited about this year.
Leadership and creativity hit the spot for me personally. As always you can’t beat the connections made and renewed at MALI. I think I have benefitted a lot from a few key conversations.
OMG! I needed a 4thday now! Can you believe it? Great re-boot to my goals as an educator. Focused organization to start the year!
It was great! I have much to ponder over the coming months.
Lots of great information and inspiration. I liked the small workshops best.
I feel motivated and empowered by being around so many like-minded people. The positive energy that is found in this room is amazing.
This might be my favorite yet! I feel so fulfilled but not overwhelmed! So re-energized! Thank you and so much love for this organization!
I find it fascinating that as we add years on to our MALI gatherings our topics and ideas for our projects and presentations get bigger, better, deeper, more thoughtful, more global. I am so lucky to be part of this organization. Your hard pre-game work was truly appreciated!
Love the peeps – Love the sharing – especially the personal journeys. Leadership and artistic.
My overall reflection brings me to WOW! I have thoroughly been challenged, inquisitive, curious, exhausted, reignited, and REWARDED. Being surrounded by greatness has, again, been humbling.
This was an awesome opportunity to converse with people with similar professions and a wealth of experience to reflect on.
The day started with Teaching Artist Leader Brian Evans Jones and Teacher Leader Kris Bisson sharing their story. For several years the Great Works Bridge in South Berwick, where Brian and Kris live, has been closed. Last year at the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) summer institute Brian and Kris decided to collaborate and shed light on the bridge by composing a song. Brian is a poet and creative writing teacher and Kris is the music educator at Marshwood Middle School; they each brought their expertise to this year long project and the results are amazing. A true integrated unit that involves real life learning and students making a difference. Kris and Brian shared their inspirational story with the participants at the institute.
The day continued with teachers working independently and collaboratively on their Logic Model which outlines plans for the next year (and some longer). Intervowen in the day was the opportunity to watch the Ashley Bryan film “I Know a Man” and to slip into the home made story corps booth with one other person to share a story.
The end of the day included a gallery walk to take a close look at the participant’s plans and provide feedback to each one. Some expressed that a 4th day should have been included as participants left excited and feeling accomplished.
Speaking of storytellers, some educators extended the day by hearing the panel discussion on Ashley Bryant’s work and seeing his show at the Portland Museum of Art (PMA). Mr. Bryant is quite the storyteller and his children’s books are exemplary; marrying the words and images beautifully! Quotes from Ashley in the film were good reminders for all of us: “Don’t lose in us it’s the one thing we have in common.” “Be reminded of the child in you…you sometimes suppress it….” Thanks to the PMA for providing the opportunity that directly connected with our summer institute theme: Storytelling!
Today marked the first day of the phase 8 Maine Arts Leadership Initiative Summer Institute and what an amazing day it was! Almost 40 educators are attending the three day professional development, exchanging ideas, collaborating, and building on their knowledge.
Participants comments
“Learning to lead the story to my “why” versus the “what” was a huge revelation today – and we’re only on day 1!” ~Shawna
“Love the social aspect of MALI and seeing old friends and making new ones.” ~Catherine Ring
“Exciting and inspiring safe space to share ideas with people who get it.” ~Dorie
“Such a beautiful and supportive group.” ~Nicole
“Always wonderful to have the “tribe” back together!” ~Pam
“Hair on fire.” ~Tom
The institute theme is “storytelling” which is integrated throughout the institute. The day started with the MALI story and ended with a story from Dorie Tripp who shared information about the drums created by the students of Dorie and art teacher Hope Lord. Making music together was amazing!
Throughout the day there were sessions on assessment, the Logic Model design, Express-a-Book (MALIs version of a book club), and making stories.
Tomorrow will be another day filled with new learning. If you have questions please be sure and email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
The Maine International Conference on the Arts (MICA) is taking place at USM, Portland campus on September 27 and 28, 2018. Learn about the details and registration by CLICKING HERE. Early bird discount is available until July 31. Watch the video below and see familiar arts education colleagues and their students from the last MICA that was held in Lewiston.
George Stevens Academy’s Quinn & the Tuplettes final two performances are Saturday, July 28 & Friday, August 3. They will open for Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play on Saturday, July 28 at the Reach Auditorium in Deer Isle at 7:30pm. MORE INFORMATION.
Their farewell performance will be at the Deer Isle Jazz Festival at the Stonington Opera House on Friday, August 3 as the group will open for pianist David Virelles with acclaimed master percussionist Román Díaz. MORE INFORMATION.
The Angel City Chorale performs “Thunderstorm”. I’ve always loved this since the moment Mike Davis led the 300 participants in a rendition of it at the statewide arts education conference at the Samoset in 2007. Were you there?
The purpose of this blog is to communicate what's happening in Arts Education. This forum gives you the opportunity to not only read, but invites you to join the conversation by writing and sharing your expertise. It is essential that we collaborate, listen and learn from each other in order to improve teaching and learning in Arts Education in Maine and beyond.
MALI Summer Institute Day 3
August 3, 2018Hard at work
Brian and Kris
The day started with Teaching Artist Leader Brian Evans Jones and Teacher Leader Kris Bisson sharing their story. For several years the Great Works Bridge in South Berwick, where Brian and Kris live, has been closed. Last year at the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) summer institute Brian and Kris decided to collaborate and shed light on the bridge by composing a song. Brian is a poet and creative writing teacher and Kris is the music educator at Marshwood Middle School; they each brought their expertise to this year long project and the results are amazing. A true integrated unit that involves real life learning and students making a difference. Kris and Brian shared their inspirational story with the participants at the institute.
The day continued with teachers working independently and collaboratively on their Logic Model which outlines plans for the next year (and some longer). Intervowen in the day was the opportunity to watch the Ashley Bryan film “I Know a Man” and to slip into the home made story corps booth with one other person to share a story.
The end of the day included a gallery walk to take a close look at the participant’s plans and provide feedback to each one. Some expressed that a 4th day should have been included as participants left excited and feeling accomplished.
Share this:
Like this:
Posted in assessment, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Integration, Leadership, Music, Professional Development, VPA | Tagged administrators comments on arts education staff, arts education, Kris Bisson, logic model, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, Marshwood Middle School, South Berwick | Leave a Comment »