Art in the Heart

YAM Mall Exhibit

Art in the Heart of Maine annually partners with the University of Maine Museum of Art, the Maine Art Education Association and the Bangor Mall to exhibit artwork created by students from the greater Bangor area. This 3 week exhibit celebrates Youth Art Month and allows art educators to show off the magnificent work their students are producing. One of my favorite outcomes of this exhibit entails garnering inspiration from my fellow educators for lesson ideas to bring back to my own classroom. Our show opened on Sunday, March 3rd and will close Saturday, March 23rd. The following educators and schools participated in the 2019 Mall Show.

• Angeli Perrow – George B. Weatherbee School
• Michael Vermette – Indian Island School
• Mary-Ann Hennessy-Ashe – Smith Elementary and Wagner Middle Schools
• Wendy Libby – Fruit Street School
• Heidi Crahen – Abraham Lincoln and Mary Snow Schools
• Ashley Curtis – Dr. Lewis S. Libby and Veazie Community Schools
• Katrina Lajoie – William S. Cohen School
• Jenna Caler – Fairmount Elementary and Fourteenth Street Schools
• Lindsay Hartwell – Glenburn Academy
• Julie Anthony – Orono Middle School
• Rachel Case – Hermon Elementary and Middle Schools
• Marion MacEwen – Brewer High School
• Jessica Barnes – Orono High School
• Margaret Jones – Miles Lane/Jewett Schools
• Helen Allen-Weldon – Holden Elementary and Eddington Elementary Schools
• Jenn Mishou – Alternative Education, Bangor
• Lori Spruce – Brewer High School
• Holly Leighton – Mattanawcook Academy
• Sarah Moon – Dedham Elementary
• Sasha Bladen – Penquis Valley
• Eva Wagner – Bangor High School
• Diane D’Amour – Bangor High School
• Terry Thibodeau – Carmel Elementary, Suzanne Smith Elementary and Caravel Middle Schools
• Sue Shapiro – Hermon High School

Art in the Heart Exhibit

Friday opening, Bangor Public Library

Art Educator’s Show

Bangor Public Library

Art in the Heart YAM Show

Student exhibit up until March 22

Here is a taste of what you will see if you travel to the Bangor Mall between now and March 22 – PK-12 student artists from the greater Bangor area. Thanks to Eric Hutchins, Bangor High School art teacher, for creating this video to document the Youth Art Month exhibit.

 

Congratulations Suzanne Goulet

Art in the Heart recognition

About 15 years ago Dover-Foxcroft art teacher Mary Golub suggested that the Art in the Heart award be presented each year to recognize outstanding contribution of an organization member. Others picked up on the idea and have insured that the award has continued. In a small ceremony a member is honored and recently Suzanne Goulet was recognized! CONGRATULATIONS SUZANNE!

And, today, July 2, is Suzanne’s birthday!

Art in the Heart

Art teachers travel from a distance to attend the first Art in the Heart meeting of the school year

Thirty two art educators traveled to UMaine Orono for the first Art in the Heart meeting of the school year. The meetings provide an update for teachers but so much more is gained. The importance of taking the time to connect face-to-face is invaluable. The conversations are brief but meaningful. The farthest traveled is Millinocket, the closest is from Orono. The distance doesn’t matter when folks can connect with colleagues who share so many of the same experiences in their schools across Maine.

Thank you to UMaine arts professors Laurie Hicks and Connie Carter for hosting the meeting on campus.

Waterville High School’s Suzanne Goulet and Belfast High School’s Heidi O’Donnell engage in conversation after the meeting.

Youth Art Month Exhibits

From Portland to Hallowell to Bangor to Presque Isle

Celebrating Youth Art Month with student art exhibits throughout the state.

Art in the Heart student exhibit, Bangor Mall

Bangor Mall – Art in the Heart student exhibit. Fifty five art teachers have contributed about 800 pieces of student artwork and came together on a recent Sunday to set up the exhibit. The artwork will be in place until March 17th.

Kal Elmore’s description: “Teachers had selected work, matted work, made lists of students, etc. Calls had been made to arrange mall space, panel moving, etc. The day had arrived. It was time for all the parts to come together. And, yes, it was a Sunday morning.

The panels arrived. People started to set up their exhibits. Art teachers greeted old friends with hugs and news. “Oohs” and “aahs” could be heard as art teachers found pieces that are appealing. It truly was glorious to see this exhibit come together!”                                              

The state Youth Art Month exhibit is at the Portland Museum of Art until the end of the month. The exhibit is sponsored by Maine Art Education Association (MAEA). The official opening was on Saturday, March 10th with hundreds of people there to celebrate the 131 students from grades K-12. It was marvelous! Carol Trimble received the Arts Advocacy Award from MAEA and Linda Stanley, MAEAs selection for the Art Teacher of the Year; both had wonderful messages for parents, teachers, and most importantly the students! The show remains until the end of March.

Camilla Jones, "Me on My Worst Day" Tempera, Hall-Dale High School

The Harlow Gallery in Hallowell annual student exhibits are top notch. The high school exhibit was on display during the first part of the month and presently on display is the elementary student art work. The high schools represented each send one student to actually hang the show. They did a marvelous job on the collaboration.

The Northern pARTners – art teachers from Aroostook county, came together last week to hang their student art show at the Aroostook Centre Mall. The art teachers traveled from Houlton, Easton, Caribou, Hodgdon, St. Agatha, Washburn, Mars Hills, Connor, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Ashland, and of course Presque Isle. The show has 346 pieces from 12 towns. Hundreds of parents and students attended the opening and there were smiles and smiles to go around.

Madasyn Shorey, Grade 3, Zippel Elementary School, Ruth McAtee art teacher

Aroostook county art teachers at the opening of the exhibit.