Going to summer camp
Archive for the ‘Visual Arts’ Category
Summer MAEA Opportunity
May 23, 2023Monson Arts
May 16, 2023Wicked visual art summer opportunity
Monson Arts is offering Maine art educators a 25% discount on its 2023 summer workshops. Monson Arts, established by the Libra Foundation in 2018, offers residencies for artists and writers, community based programs, and summer workshops. This year’s workshops include offerings in audio, mixed-media, painting, weaving, and writing. There is also 24 hour studio access. For more information: https://monsonarts.org/workshops/.
Besides ample studio spaces and newly renovated accommodations, participants eat all their meals at The Quarry Restaurant. It’s the only restaurant in Maine to be a finalist for a James Beard Foundation award this year.
Monson is the last town before the 100 Mile Wilderness of the Appalachian Trail. A beautiful natural setting, great workshop leaders, studios, and food! Questions? Email information@monsonarts.org or call 207 997 2070.
Maine Art Education Awards
May 9, 2023Congratulations art teachers!
Each Spring the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA) presents awards to individuals who are committed to quality visual art education. Some of these educators have been in the ‘trenches’ with ‘kids’, of all ages, for many years. Others are just beginning their careers, and yet others support quality art education from a distance impacting the lives of learners. Each individual is to be commended for their contributions to the profession.
At a recent ceremony each individual was honored for their service. Below are the recipients with their ceramic awards made by Carolyn Brown.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Truths and Lies
April 25, 2023Union of Maine Visual Artists Journal
Four times a year the Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA) publishes a journal. The UMVA is a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for the visual arts, artists, and all arts supporters. Included in each publication is a column that focuses on education called Insight/Incite. The recently released spring issue theme is Truths and Lies. The Insight/Incite column includes a piece authored by Lynda Leonas. Congratulations to Lynda who teaches K-6 visual art in Auburn Public Schools. She presently serves as the president of the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA). The title of Lynda’s piece is Re-envisioning Art Enrichment Assessments: The Policy of Gifted and Talented Programs.
You can read the piece at THIS LINK. Access the entire journal at THIS LINK. Information about becoming a member is at THIS LINK. If you’re interested in writing for the journal please email Argy Nestor at meartsed@gmail.com.
MAEA Spring Conference
March 21, 2023Maine Art Education Association
eARTh
”The earth without art is just eh”
2023 Maine Art Education Association Spring Conference Retreat
Location: The Ecology School at River Farm 184 Simpson Road, Saco, Maine
Saturday-Sunday, April 29-30, 2023
$250.00 – one night (Saturday), 5 meals
2 people per room.
$350.00 – two nights (Friday and Saturday), 5 meals
2 people per room.
$175.00 – Commuter Rate (zero nights), 5 meals
Optional linens are available at $40.00 payable to The Ecology School at the registration table.
*Must be a MAEA member to attend. If you are not a current member, join HERE!
Reciprocal membership for out-of-state art education associations.
Join us and attend in-person studio workshops in comfortable yurts! The Conference Retreat cost includes one Saturday overnight stay with check-in on Saturday and 3 meals will be served: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sunday includes two meals: breakfast and lunch. Add-ons for 1-day early check-in ($100) and linens ($40) will be offered.
Meals: Guests will be treated to farm-fresh, local, and nutritious foods during community building meals in our beautiful Dinning Commons. Coffee, tea, and fruit are always available.
Lodging: During a two-day, one-night conference at The Ecology School, up to 72 guests may stay in our unique dormitory building. Rooms are doubles. There are two or three shared bathrooms per floor, floor dependent. It has been built according to the rigorous sustainability standards of the Living Building Challenge and promotes sustainable actions in everyday routines and facilitates conservation and mindfulness in community living practices.
Downtime: A 3.5-mile trail system is blazed throughout the 105-acre property, great for walking or running.
Join in your choice of 4 studio workshops for hands-on experiences plus additional optional program elements that could include a Living Building Challenge Tour, a Field Ecology workshop, or a Food is Ecology Lab. Possibly join the Astronomical Society of Northern New England for an evening under the stars Saturday night after attending the MAEA Art Educator of the Year Awards Ceremony! Celebrate Earth Day 2023 and create art expressed through earth-conscious ways! Experiment with Demetri Martin’s quote as you submit your studio workshop proposals or volunteer to assist workshop leading educators and/or teaching artists!
Register HERE!
Conference Schedule:
The Ecology School at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine, proudly hosts the MAEA’s 2023 Spring Conference Retreat.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY DAYTIME SCHEDULES:
7:00 AM – 8:15 AM: Check-in, Move in, and Registration
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Morning Workshop Sessions
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch and The Ecology School Presentations
1:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Afternoon Workshop Sessions
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner
Saturday Evening, APRIL 29TH, 2023
AWARDS CEREMONY AND OUTDOOR PROGRAM
7:30 PM – 8:15 PM: MAEA Art Educator of the Year Awards Ceremony
8:30 PM – 10:30 PM: Star Gazing Format by The Astronomical Society of Northern New England
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: APRIL 10, 2023
Book Arts Making a Difference School Wide
March 7, 2023Gardiner High School
Periodically I have learning opportunities that are so pleasurable! I am grateful that I have more flexibility in my schedule at this point in my life to consider options. Last fall I participated in a Book Arts class that took place at a beautiful location, a stones throw from Mussel Ridge Channel, in the mid-coast called 26 Split Rock Cove located in S. Thomaston. 26 Split Rock Cove is owned by artist and poet Sandy Weisman who moved to Maine in 2010 after working at Massachusetts College of Art as the director of museum education.
It was fun to take the class alongside retired Bangor High School art teacher Kal Elmore. It was like a mini-Haystack workshop with a variety of people (artists, educators, and creatives) attending. A pleasant surprise was meeting Gardiner Area High School (GAHS) science teacher Sharon Gallant.
This wasn’t the first book making class that Sharon had taken. In fact, in the summer of 2021 she had taken a week-long bookmaking summer class at the University of Southern Maine. At the conclusion of the class Sharon was so excited that she wrote a grant to Oak Grove for funds to support a school wide book making project. Her goal for the 2021-22 school year was simple but enormous – transition the school/subjects/teachers and students from paper and pencil to creating books. Sharon provided book art training to staff. We all know the value of professional development for teachers and when a staff come together to learn, community is created and expanded upon. In this case Sharon noticed that the staff confidence grew, classrooms opened to possibilities for projects, and conversation was stimulated among staff implementing projects as curriculum options were considered.
“Participants discussed ways they might use the book art samples in their classes in the varying content areas in the upcoming year. Participants were informed of the grant and the opportunities for supplies to be checked out from the library, prep of supplies by students doing community service, and support from us. In November (2021) and in March (2022), 21 staff members across all content areas participated in learning book art creation techniques.”
You might be asking WHAT? and wondering WHY! This is an example of one teacher getting excited about something learned, trying it in her classroom and understanding the potential of student learning all because of making books!
Librarian Debra Butterfield has been incredibly supportive and added so much to the project. A room off of the library was set up to store the materials and provides access for students to check out the materials, the same as library books. The school has a community service component as part of high school graduation. Debra worked with three trained student volunteers and as other students saw volunteers using professional cutting machines and a variety of tools provided by the grant, other students offered to volunteer. The student volunteers have grown to twenty who are not involved in sports or other clubs. The preparation of materials before, during, and after school has connected them to GAHS in a meaningful way. One student stated, “ I love preparing book art materials because I see in classes how much teachers and students appreciate that the supplies are prepped for them.” Volunteers have learned the importance of quality control, deadlines, and school service.
After I met Sharon at the Book Arts workshop we arranged a day for me to visit GAHS. I spent time with students in the social studies class with teacher Susan LeClair. Students were totally engaged in creating accordion books on The Great Depression and New Deal. The approach was structured but flexible, the materials plentiful, the atmosphere was supportive, relaxed and creative. The classroom was set up similarly to a ‘workshop model’. Students are introduced to history material, art materials and techniques at different intervals in the book making process. They work independently understanding their goals using a rubric based on a total of 100 points.
- Causes of the Great Depression – 50 points
- New Deal Programs – 50 points
- Illustration – 25 points
- Organization – 25 points
Susan is a veteran teacher having seen many changes during her teaching career. She shared that students had become passive, going through the motions of learning, memorizing for the test and to obtain a good grade. Many immediately forgetting material as soon as information was spit out for the paper and pencil test. Making books provided the opportunity for students to demonstrate learning in an engaging way. Understanding and retention of the material was evident as they created the story using illustrations. Not to mention students were proud of their creations.
As the school year, 2021-22 continued the ideas morphed and grew. Sharon’s description of what followed, thanks to the enthusiasm of teachers and the grant funding:
We have supported a range of projects this year with our support with instruction in classes. Following is a sample of some of the projects implemented this year that replace traditional paper and pencil assessment. A biology teacher created nature journals with compartments for collecting samples. A foreign language teacher had year four students create illustrated children’s literature books and then hosted a student lead reading to other foreign language levels. Social studies teachers have created a variety of projects as they have learned about the founding of our country, abolitionists, immigration, and world cultures. English teachers are currently having students create illustrated poetry selections for National Poetry Month, a showcase for learning from a variety of texts read this school year, and another focused on the exploration of fairy tales. Our library is physically in the center of our school with an English/social studies wing on one side and a science/math wing on the other. Historically students have rarely shared about their assessments for learning from one side of the building to another. Book art, however, has changed the culture. It has been a connecting force with students talking with each other across classes and disciplines. Through these projects, we have had a focus on developing templates as rough drafts and this repeated experience has fostered a habit of mind focused on quality, planning, and revision that we see transferring to research, the writing process, and scientific inquiry. This has been an unexpected benefit of the grant. Students have been more present in their learning and deepened their own personal expectations for quality. One student stated, “Thank you so much for letting me make a book to show what I know. I don’t test well, and I’ve never felt the teacher knows what I know.”
Beyond projects in the classrooms, we have offered opportunities for students and staff to come together for after school sessions to learn advanced book art making techniques with holiday card making in December and Valentine card making in February. The sessions were intended from 2:00 to 3:30, but because students and staff were in the flow of creating together, the events lasted closer to 5:00 pm. Several students reflected on how amazing it was to be a learner along with their teachers. These experiences, which created amazing positive school energy, showed students the role that book art can play beyond the classroom for personal pleasure and engagement.
Due to such a positive response from students, we quickly realized that students needed a venue to showcase their impressive book art. We approached the art teacher, who has an annual K-12 art show, to feature book art as an added feature to expand the show to an art extravaganza. We have invited all students who have made a book to participate in the show. One student, who struggles academically, exclaimed in shock and delight, “You seriously want to show my book. No one has ever asked to have my work displayed!” This reaction alone exemplifies our belief that students need an alternative form of assessment. Book art fills that space.
No doubt about it, the excitement and impact that one person has made, the collaborative spirit and flexibility of staff and the support from administration has all come together to make a huge difference in teaching and learning at GAHS. Evaluating the program helped determine the next steps for Year 2. And, funding helped again. Sharon’s words describe it best:
During our tremendous success with book art as an alternative form of assessment, we quickly realized that there was still work to be done. We have a large population of students without access to materials at home, a space at school to complete book art projects, and the need for additional after school enrichment experiences.
The first year of Turn the Page funding allowed us to introduce a new form of assessment and purchase materials for multiple classes to simultaneously work on these projects. While several class periods are devoted to time in class for these projects, to ensure the quality of work required to complete a book, students are asking to work on the books at home. With the additional funding, we created supply kits, issued through the school library catalog, with all necessary materials for students to bring home to further work on their books. Not only does this assist students who need more time, but it also makes it easier for those who are economically challenged to have access to all materials not available at home. Through all of the amazing success of year one, we did note the disparity between students who had home access to additional embellishment and those who struggled with the basics. These kits eliminate any barrier for success.
Book art has truly made a significant shift in our attempt to establish learning environments and experiences that feature collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum, and shared instruction. It also addresses various forms of inequity and empowers young adults to thrive at school.
GAHS’s commitment to responding to and making needed changes are exemplary. What an outstanding example filled with possibilities. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to meet Sharon and visit the school to see the project in action! Are they proud of their accomplishments? You betcha; again in Sharon’s words:
We are very proud and grateful for what this grant has allowed us to do for professional development, student engagement, and expanded community connections. We have presented to the Plymouth State art class, at Viles for a pre-service teacher training , and a Saturday Maine Association of School Libraries conference session scheduled. Students have told us that they want to create with their hands, do meaningful projects, and have deep engagement with their learning.
Susan LeClair, Social Studies teacher – Sharon Gallant, Science teacher
Art With a Heart
February 14, 2023The Magic of Monhegan
Are you an artist intrigued by a sense of place in your artwork? Consider joining Janie Snider and Women for Healthy Rural Living (WHRL) for a weekend artist retreat on beautiful Monhegan Island from May 26th to May 28th. The island offers abundant places to create, all while exploring an inspirational landscape, and meeting other art-minded people. This retreat is limited to 10 participants.
Janie Snider is an educator who retired from teaching elementary art at Hancock Grammar School in June of 2022. She has been teaching art classes for nearly 30 years. Her work is inspired by the beauty of nature and Maine’s landscapes. Janie served as a teacher leader in the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) before it morphed into the Maine Arts Education Partners in Leadership (MAEPL). Janie is an amazing teacher, artist and fun to be around!
Janie works primarily in watercolor and acrylics but loves playing with other media. She will offer individual guidance and share some of her own thoughts and techniques.
CLICK HERE for more information and to apply.
GRACE
January 17, 2023Offers hope
Recently I had the pleasure of visiting a wonderful community visual art program that was established in 2019. It was well underway when the pandemic disrupted life as we knew it. It stumbled along during the pandemic gathering outside at the town gazebo and today it is thriving. The program is called GRACE and takes place in Brown Hall Community Center in Bucksport, Maine. The GRACE program provides free creative arts opportunities to seniors and other underserved populations. Participants are invited to explore and experiment through using a variety of materials to create art. No previous experience is necessary.
Several years ago Catherine Ring worked with the GRACE program in Hardwick, Vermont where she was living and working at the time. The philosophy: “Be yourself and do it your own way” connects very well with arts educators, artists and others in the creative world. The open studio idea has become a space for participants to meet, experiment and play with materials. They meet to make art and to connect socially. I was excited to learn more about the program that Catherine’s leadership brought to Bucksport. Periodically Catherine or other participants ‘teach’ a technique, offer guidance and facilitate depending on the wishes of the group. They share their ideas and art work, and provide feedback to each other.
Charlotte Bridges working on her linoleum prints
The GRACE program started as part of Lighthouse Arts & Education which was located in Bucksport at the time. Funding was provided through a grant from the Maine Community Foundation. Since then it has morphed into its own non-profit. Participants are not only nourishing their own creative needs but connecting with community. GRACE has exhibit space within Brown Hall Community Center and in 2021 worked with the Buck Memorial Library in town to create a collaborative mural for their newly renovated space.
The space where they meet is inviting and filled with books, resources and art supplies to encourage and support participants ideas and creative processes. I really enjoyed seeing the art on display and left very inspired. If you’re interested in learning more please contact Catherine Ring at THIS LINK.
The GRACE program offers so much and all are invited to participate. Board member and artist Charlotte Bridges who goes by Cha, started making art at age 55 said it best: “I love that they understand what we needed. I want to be guided and have a chance to play and experiment. I can’t stand to have people tell me how to do every step. We all get so much from each other.” Another participant, Linda Wagner said: We all benefit from each other. The feeling of being lifted up.”
Zentangles made by GRACE participants
MLK Day
January 16, 2023Martin Luther King Jr.
Today marks the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. This day has been recognized as a federal holiday for 37 years. His actual birthday is January 15, 1929. Martin Luther King Jr. had a clear and nonviolent voice for activism in the Civil Rights Movement. The movement protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. Sadly, King was assassinated at the age of 39. Makes me wonder what impact this man could have made if he had the chance to have a longer life.
Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the portrait subjects that Maine Artist Robert Shetterly has painted as part of Americans Who Tell the Truth. I really like the portrait that Rob painted of King (below) which includes King’s words:
Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon… which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it … It is a sword that heals.”
Shetterly says, “without activism, hope is merely sentimental. Portraits of Racial Justice, Shetterly’s homage to transformative game-changers and status-quo fighters, provides the inspiration necessary to spark social change.”
OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS
On this day it’s important to remember that there were many other civil right activists and leaders. Each of them (below) are linked to the page on the Americans Who Tell the Truth website so you can learn more about the individual through their biography, and see their portrait that Rob painted of them.
- ELLA BAKER
- BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON
- ROSA PARKS
- BARBARA JOHNS
- CHARLES HAMILTON HOUSTON
- CLAUDETTE COLVIN
Claudette Colvin
Thanks to music educator Jenni Null who shared this resource on how teachers can make this work a part of teaching and learning. I’m sure all of you have stories that remind us that this work is ongoing and not just a ‘one-off’. Thank you educators for your critical role.
The New Ways Teachers Are Talking About Martin Luther King Jr. – TIME
Visual Art Educator Kelsey Boucher
August 8, 2022Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year
Please join me in congratulating Visual Art Educator Kelsey Boucher who is the 2022 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year. Kelsey teaches grades K-6 at Connors Elementary School in Lewiston. Her love of art was encouraged and supported by her own art teachers. “I love teaching art because art is its own language. Our school is home to a variety of spoken languages but when they come into my room, the art speaks for itself.”
CONGRATULATIONS KELSEY BOUCHER
Tell us your story, what led you to this moment Kelsey?
Throughout my school years, I always loved art class. I had really enthusiastic art teachers throughout elementary school who provided a variety of opportunities to create. My middle school and high school art teachers really provided interesting art projects and kept my interest. I took every art class possible. When I went to college at the University of Vermont, I went in undecided. A friend of mine had been taking art courses and I wanted to try my hand at the college level. While in college, I babysat to make some extra money and everything kind of just started to make sense. I loved kids and I loved art. I decided to transfer to USM where the Art Education just seemed perfect for me. I student taught at Raymond A. Geiger Elementary in Lewiston and Brunswick High School in Brunswick. I landed a part time art teaching position at Martel Elementary School in Lewiston, which ended up turning into full time. I did 6 years of “art on a cart” between Martel Elementary School, Longley Elementary School, and some time at Farwell Elementary School. In 2019, Martel and Longley combined into a new building, now Connors Elementary School.
What is your present teaching assignment?
This year will be at Connors Elementary School in Lewiston, teaching 37 classes in a 6 day rotating schedule. This will be my 4th year at Connors, but 10th year in the Lewiston School District. I was born and raised in Lewiston and I can’t see myself teaching anywhere else.
What do you love about teaching? What are you biggest challenges?
I love teaching art because art is its own language. Our school is home to a variety of spoken languages but when they come into my room, the art speaks for itself. The seeing, creating, hands on nature of art and the climate of my room allows for success and the creativity to flow. Right now the biggest challenge is the buy in once I get students hooked, it’s smooth sailing. Other big challenges are beyond our control. Things like home life, poverty, the nature of life right now (i.e. Covid times), trauma, etc.
Tell the blog readers about the Teacher of the Year process, what’s it been like?
The process has been really eye opening. When somebody nominates you in the first place, you feel finally really seen and appreciated. It’s a tough time for teachers right now, but just the nomination really boosted my attitude and helped affirm my “why”. After that, the application process was extremely reflective. As teachers, we constantly reflect on lessons and activities in our room but rarely have time to reflect on our philosophies of teaching, our values, ours beliefs in the classrooms. This process really grounded me in my work and in my beliefs. In writing my essays and even answering interview questions, the reflective nature of it all really helped me be myself and stay true to who I am. When I finally got the call from the program director, I was elated and overwhelmed, in the best way possible. My colleague and friend, Nes Griffin (who is 2017 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year), has been my rock through this process, and when I won she was my biggest cheerleader. Nes, along with administration, orchestrated the most amazing parade through my school where all of my students cheered for me.
I finally got to meet with my cohort (the other county teachers of the year) and spend time working with them. All I can say is WOW! Maine has some AMAZING educators. I feel so lucky and empowered to be part of the 2022 cohort.
Whose classroom have you visited that really impressed you and what were the pieces that stand out most to you? What did you learn from that experience?
Nes Griffin, teaches grade 4 at Connors, has been a true mentor. I am lucky enough to be co-advisors of the civil rights team at our school with Nes and the way she affirms student identity in every aspect of education has been the biggest, most important thing I’ve learned from her. That one key piece has changed who I am as a teacher.
Share a story of something you’ve learned from your student(s) that has impacted your teaching.
My time as the civil rights team co-advisor has transformed my outlook completely as a teacher. I’m lucky enough to teach the entire school, so getting to spend time with students on the civil rights team allows the student leaders and I to gain a different understanding for each other. As we started to do a lot of work on the civil rights team, I started to see their artwork change and become more personal. Kids starting adding more social justice flare to their art and add personal touches that they hadn’t previously. This further amplified the importance of affirming student identity in all aspects of school.
You’ve had professional development in communicating with the press since you’ve been selected as the Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year. What did you learn that is good advice for all teachers in communicating about the importance of your role as a teacher?
The media professional development was so eye opening for me. There is so much more to doing interviews than just speaking. We learned a lot about sound bites and how important it is to stick to your sound bite. It helps you nail down what your message is and allows you to stay focused on that. This is really helpful for what I do because art is so much more then something pretty to look at. For some students, it is their pathway to learning, for some it is their outlet, for others it is their way to use their voice and make a change.
What advice do you have for new teachers?
My message for new teachers would be to put a lot of priority on getting to know your students and build a relationship with every single one of them. Relationships and affirming students’ identities are the key to everything else and once that is established, the lessons, the planning, and your time together will be more successful and enjoyable.
me arts ed 