GardenFarmArt

WOW. The first 5 weeks in the art room have been so productive! All of our BHM students have been looking at "resources" from the local gardens and farms and incorporating them into creative expression and problem solving.

At the beginning of the school year "Mrs. G" (Adelaida G.) brought in SO many wonderful treasures for us to use. We looked, touched, smelled and listened to these objects. Too often we see a flower or vegetable at the end of its life cycle and dismiss it as trash or compost-bound. Not true! These items became our primary resource from which we were inspired. We used them to paint, to print, to assemble, to dye, to study....

My intention was to record the process and post more regularly. As the Harvest Dinner approaches, I am realizing that I need to get some of the photos uploaded. Apologies for the heavy post. Next week I will follow up with the exhibition of the finished work from our Harvest Dinner/Open House. This is when we get TO TASTE!

This is the room 4 weeks ago...

New year, new colors!

I am so excited to begin the next adventure as an art educator. This fall I will be the art teacher for Bowdoinham Community School! Last winter I was hired as the LTS, so I am already prepared to work with this amazing community. Before school ended, our principal allowed us to choose our own colors for our rooms. It's been a few weeks in the making, but I'm super excited for the students to see it in a few days.

Spark's Fall Session Begins Today and Tomorrow!

Karen and Kirsten are excited to begin the fall session! The theme for the next few weeks will be change and transformation with an emphasis on color. What could be more inspiring as we watch the leaves change and our environment prepare for the upcoming months. Change brings newness and awareness in our lives.

If you haven't had a chance to register, it's not too late. We will be meeting the students in 2 locations. For the students coming from GSB, Kirsten will be meeting them at the Lincoln Academy bus stop. For students that are dropped off, Karen will be meeting them at the drop off circle in front of Lincoln Academy, right by the entrance to the cafeteria. If you need to drop off paperwork (or fill out) we will be there from 3:00-3:15!

See you there!

Karen & Kirsten

Spark Fall Program

Children in grades 1-5 are invited to create art within a variety of dimensions, including 2D, 3D and discovery. With a unique focus each week, projects are designed to work in harmony and to cross over creative disciplines.
7 Week Fall Program
Grades 1 & 2
Tuesdays: Oct. 14– Dec. 2, 2014 (no class Nov. 11)

Grades 3, 4 & 5
Wednesdays: Oct. 15–Dec. 3, 2014 (no class Nov.26)

To register:
http://www.lincolnacademy.org/spark

Summer Arts Program Reflections

Whew! It's amazing to see how much art and play can be fit into two weeks! What a ride... I wanted to share some of the images here to celebrate not only the beautiful artwork, but the enthusiasm for creating that all the artists brought every day! 

We felt very committed to creating a program where the children were in a process art based learning environment. The ideas and use of materials and process to create streams of connections throughout the weeks were our primary concern, along with the fun of integrating multiple artistic processes. By planting the seeds of contemporary art theories, we knew that their individual greater thinking skills would be nurtured. 

In addition, 4 days each week, the children had yoga and creative writing.  During both of these times our creative art goals were again being nurtured. Ali Stevenson did a amazing job during creative writing and storytelling, developing ideas and having fun with telling stories without the pressures of academics. Susan LeClair our yoga instructor, helped their bodies, mind and spirits, playfully guiding them into poses to help them focus, think, and relax.

After a few weeks away from the craziness, the next thoughts move into how to support the community with a creative space during the school year for all school ages-elementary through high school. One thought is a weekend intensive on a monthly basis with a specific area of study.