The Art Mobile is invested in partnering with our community and bringing enriched art experiences across the state. We deeply value visits from all members of the state government. A personal visit is a great way to showcase what the Art Mobile does for students across MT
Here is a link to a visit from Montana State Representative JP Pomnichowski.
http://jpformontana.blogspot.com/2009/10/art-for-all-everywhere.html
If you are interested in attending an Art Mobile presentation, please contact me (Allison McGree).
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Last Tour of 1/2010-
I just returned from a tour through Ramsay,Cardwell,Garrison/Gold Creek, and finished it up with two final days in Butte. It was another busy week! Winter road conditions make traveling a bit stressful. It seems the worse the roads tend to be, the more it seems like it's me in the Art Mobile interacting with a pack of semis on the road. I made it just fine however.
Ramsay was art lessons for K-8, along with a quick art show of our Native American pieces. It was a fast afternoon for sure. The students created visual stories, using ledger art for inspiration. I'm always amazed by the creative stories students come up with. One of the teachers at Ramsay is my cousin. So that made visiting even more fun.
Day two was through a snowstorm to Cardwell. I swear it snows most of the days I need to drive. It leaves me dreaming of all of the fun outdoor activities that I could participate in if I were not driving through the snow in a semi-stressed state. Yes, I do check snow conditions frequently and envy my friends who are out enjoying the weather! When I finally did make it to Cardwell, it was great. An old gym was my teaching headquarters. I love old gyms, they tend to remind me of all of the people who once enjoyed them. A box of history.
I was invited to return to teach a ledger art lesson (I was there in November). It was great. Senator Terry Murphy met up with me to see what the Art Mobile is all about. The students in Cardwell LOVE art, so it was a great afternoon.
I made it to Garrison on Wednesday. 1 student, 1 teacher, and a bus driver from Gold Creek met us as well. Garrison is the size of community that gives their school an address like, "1 School house Rd." It leaves me looking for speed zones, buses, and playground equipment as I inevitably drive through their 2 block long town. I don't think I've ever seen an actual sign for any "school house road." However, many rural schools leave this as their address. That, or "one tree road," named after the single tree behind the school.
Garrison was a quick 4 hour trip, gallery and lesson (cattle marker landscapes). I drove toward Butte to finish up my week.
Butte Central started self-portraits in December. This time, we painted (with spray paint) their work and added details and designs to them. It was fun. However, 2 days full of spray paint, even if it's done outdoors is waaaaaaaaay too much for me.
I'm now back to scheduling and trying to plan for the weeks ahead. Amazing how tired I get from a week on the road.
That's all for this update. Pretty bland as far as updates go. It was a good week, I'm just having difficulty remembering any funny details right now. More soon-
Ramsay was art lessons for K-8, along with a quick art show of our Native American pieces. It was a fast afternoon for sure. The students created visual stories, using ledger art for inspiration. I'm always amazed by the creative stories students come up with. One of the teachers at Ramsay is my cousin. So that made visiting even more fun.
Day two was through a snowstorm to Cardwell. I swear it snows most of the days I need to drive. It leaves me dreaming of all of the fun outdoor activities that I could participate in if I were not driving through the snow in a semi-stressed state. Yes, I do check snow conditions frequently and envy my friends who are out enjoying the weather! When I finally did make it to Cardwell, it was great. An old gym was my teaching headquarters. I love old gyms, they tend to remind me of all of the people who once enjoyed them. A box of history.
I was invited to return to teach a ledger art lesson (I was there in November). It was great. Senator Terry Murphy met up with me to see what the Art Mobile is all about. The students in Cardwell LOVE art, so it was a great afternoon.
I made it to Garrison on Wednesday. 1 student, 1 teacher, and a bus driver from Gold Creek met us as well. Garrison is the size of community that gives their school an address like, "1 School house Rd." It leaves me looking for speed zones, buses, and playground equipment as I inevitably drive through their 2 block long town. I don't think I've ever seen an actual sign for any "school house road." However, many rural schools leave this as their address. That, or "one tree road," named after the single tree behind the school.
Garrison was a quick 4 hour trip, gallery and lesson (cattle marker landscapes). I drove toward Butte to finish up my week.
Butte Central started self-portraits in December. This time, we painted (with spray paint) their work and added details and designs to them. It was fun. However, 2 days full of spray paint, even if it's done outdoors is waaaaaaaaay too much for me.
I'm now back to scheduling and trying to plan for the weeks ahead. Amazing how tired I get from a week on the road.
That's all for this update. Pretty bland as far as updates go. It was a good week, I'm just having difficulty remembering any funny details right now. More soon-
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The first travel update of 2010!
I realize that time is really a constant and consistent thing. Generally, each day has the same amount of hours, minutes, seconds. That being said, there are days when time seems to have more of a slingshot approach over it's seemingly perfected rhythm. Today is one of those days. My last entry was around Thanksgiving. It is now rounding up to the end of January. Thus, time seems to have slacked a bit and now is slapping me in pure slingshot style.
I did travel in December, and I am currently traveling in January as well. The Art Mobile is still visiting Butte Central every month. That trip is great for a few reasons. The students and teachers are getting used to my being around. I am able to teach a variety of art lessons, medias, techniques; which definitely makes me realize how important frequent art education is. We are discussing creating a tile mural with student artwork in the next few visits. Next week brings the culmination of self-portraits and students will be able to use (under supervision of course) spray paint! They are more than excited to work with such a different type of paint. I think it's the added thrill of working with paint that usually falls under the guise of graffiti and other "ills." Wherever the source of their excitement comes from, I love to be greeted each month with students who are thrilled to see me. Makes a teacher feel good. :)
One additional reason I am enjoying (the frosting on the cake per say) Butte Central so very much is that I am able to teach 10 of my younger cousins and their friends. I have an unbelievably amazing family and seeing these cousins in their school element combined with showing, discussing and teaching them something I am incredibly passionate about is so very amazing. Not to mention, I spend nights with my Gram prepping and explaining what I'll be up to the next day. So yes, Butte has a special place in my heart. It is a town that reminds me that people are good. They help one another, care for one another, work hard, and value family and the deep roots of history. I'd hate to ruin the image a lot of people have of Butte. But it is one of the most admirable and inspiring towns I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of. Check out the PBS documentary, "Butte, America" if you want to see a glimpse as to why.
I have had many other travels up to this point as well. Many meals from my cooler, pretty horrible cups of coffee (still does the trick, but it is semi-painful), interesting winter roads, down right cold days, and most importantly I have met GREAT people. One thing Montana is full of, strong, caring, giving people.
The first week of January marked the end of holiday vacation. Students and teachers went back to school, and I hit the road. My first stop was Dillon. I met with the Dillon home school group and I have to say that this group is one of my favorites (and yes, I can have innumerable favorites, it's insanely hard to choose). I was less than thrilled to be leaving town in the midst of a winter storm warning, but all in all, I did just fine. I love to see what students remember from last year. There were even a few students who, over the summer, had met and purchased (with their own money) prints from an inspiring talented artist, DG House, at the Folk Festival in Butte. They were so enthusiastic! There is no doubt in my mind that they will remember DG for the rest of their lives. The parents are just as interested as the students to hear and learn about the work. The hunger for knowledge is being handed down, and that is fun to be a part of.
As I was packing the van up to head to Jackson, MT, I could see the storms circling around Dillon. It was inevitable that the winter weather was going to find me at last.
I made it to Jackson and I swear the temperature dropped 20 degrees. I hear this happens in the Big Hole valley. A absolutely ridiculously beautiful place that can get really, really, frigid cold. Well, I drove through Jackson before I realized that I drove past where I was staying for the night. Not to worry though, it was only the distance of an eye blink. I turned around and the Jackson hot springs gave me a room for two nights. They actually called me by name when I walked in the door. I was the only person that was possibly checking in. Makes me feel special when I walk in the door to a place I've never been and they greet me with, "hello Allison." It's my glimpse at celebrity. I guess they could have seen the Art Mobile drive past, that van is hard to miss and people definitely know when I'm in town. I'll keep my celebrity story though.
When I'm on the road, I sometimes come face to face with my addiction to technology. I lost service right outside of Dillon. Until I parked my van in Jackson, I thought I was going to be officially cut off for the rest of the week. I find it amazing that a cell phone (a thing I have only had for 8 years of my life) can actually send me into a period of anxiety. Will I survive if I can't contact anyone/someone at a moments notice, hard to say? Not to worry though, Jackson just recently obtained cell service, so I was able to breathe through the lack of Internet, radio, tv, etc. Really, even though I know it's insane, how am I comforted by my phone working? I am, maybe I have a technology addiction, TBD.
People in Montana are just friendly. Maybe it's the lack of traffic bringing new people to the area, but I swear I can meet and hear the life stories of innumerable people in one weeks time. Honestly, I have to hole myself up in my room with a book if I hit my maximum social capacity for the day. That happens too. You can only really socialize for so long before (at least I), need to recharge my batteries. This trip was no different. I met a lot of people.
An early morning drive through snow covered, icy, wind-blown roads brought me to Wisdom (I was lucky my van started, frigid, again). Plow trucks, one semi, and the Art Mobile braved the trip. It was a bit sketchy to be honest. Not to worry, my truck driving family has instilled lessons of safe driving into my core. I made it with time to spare. Wisdom, what a great name for a town! I had to be reminded where the school actually was (not right on the hwy as many are). But an amazing man was raising the flag (without hands mind you) at the post office. After I watched in awe at how a person can find ways around obstacles, I asked about the school. His reply was something along the lines of, oh, I thought that was what you were lookin' for. Great guy (on first impression). I had in fact been to Wisdom before, but sometimes towns blend together. I find it's easier to ask at first sign of confusion. Might as well, you always meet someone interesting and generally, you find your way faster. I love returning to schools and recognizing the students this year. It was a quick 4 hour visit, and I was off the Jackson school. How I drove by the Jackson school amazes me, but I did. I was having direction issues I guess.
Jackson was another, great, small school. These schools all had a max of 18 students K-8. A student was celebrating his 12th birthday, so I even had a brownie. Not to0 shabby of a way to finish the day. We all created ledger artwork and in the end, checked our visual storytelling ability by guessing one another's stories. I am never less than amazed at the creativity of students! The stories (real or imaginary) are always amazing. After a great, full day, I retired to my home at the Jackson hot springs. When you get done with teaching at 4pm, you really have a lot of solo time to burn before you can really justify bedtime. I had a great book, and have to admit that I'm a P90x junkie. So, on any given evening, you can find me in small town MT motels jumping around like a goof and doing a variety of other exercises. Jackson was interesting though, upon jumping, I had fear that the floor would crash in on itself. I'm not entirely sure why I'm admitting that, but it's true. It's amazing what you find when you have the new perspective from doing a push-up. Dog food pushed under the radiator, nice. I don't generally claim to be too high maintenance, but some of the places I stay surprise me. Wine rings on the table, bananas in the garbage, wine stains on the sheets (that look new), various wrappers all over the place, coffee grounds left in the coffee maker...and that's just the beginning. I bring my sleeping bag and have given up on the supplied comforters. So I guess I may be high maintenance.
An even larger storm was on it's way the next day. So my last night in Jackson reminded me how Dorthy must have felt in the Wizard of Oz. The wind was insane. At times, I was sure the room was going to pull away from the floor I had broken doing P90x earlier. It didn't, I survived. I even had a great cup of serious, black coffee from the main lodge in the morning. I needed that coffee too, I was on the way to Grant, MT. Did I mention it was over 30 degrees below zero??? It was, I ran my van for 30min and the frost had barely started to come of the wind shield.
Now, if you ever go to Grant, make sure you really take a look at the map. It's only 40 or so miles away from Jackson. But all of those fancy map making Internet programs say it will take 2.5 hours. Why?! Good question. The shortest route takes you down a dirt road, in this case a snow covered dirt road. With some assistance, I decided to stay on the main roads. I ended up at the Clark Canyon Dam, with more than an hour to spare. Well, I was now 12 miles away from my final destination, and I needed to use the restroom. There are no gas stations in the area, but the Dam (filled with ice fishing remnants) has a restroom. Have you ever used an outdoor restroom when it's around -30*?? Just take a second to imagine that...enough said. I spent an hour admiring the snowy sparkle that happens when it's so cold. I read my book, enjoyed the sun on my face through the window and burned an hour up very easily.
Off to Grant, another fantastic small, rural school. Only ten students participated (ooh's and awe's filled the room when each piece was placed on the gallery walls). The students LOVE the art they see. They value my trip to see them and seem to be anxiously excited to see what is new this year. It's amazing how much I take for granted all of the art I am able to see on a daily basis. But through the eyes of these kids, I get excited all over again.
The end of Grant took me to Butte to stay with my Gram and prepare for trips to Divide and Melrose. The weather cleared up, and roads were back to their normal rolling, weaving, and relaxing way. Both Divide and Melrose were also amazing rural schools. The students are now expecting to see the Art Mobile each year. They are excited and very thankful when I come. The teachers in rural schools seem to have a different rapport with parents and students alike. They are more of a big family who participate, teach, and look out for one another. Very admirable. A lot of the schools this week chose the ledger art lesson. I like it because it teaches about an amazing historical art form, it incorporates many media, it explains visual communication, it allows students to be creative and to tell a story of their own, and the focus is more on the story and less on technique. It seems like students need to feel less inhibited. They aren't as worried about doing it wrong, they jump into their story with more ease.
After this busy first week back, I had another great project coming up! Pine Creek school scheduled the art gallery (and me) to visit on Thursday. We left the exhibit up, and had a big plan for Friday. Friday, Bryan Peterson (a GREAT local metalsmith) and I drove over to Pine Creek. The students and teachers used recycled materials (old cereal boxes, recycled chopsticks donated from Dave's Sushi in Bozeman, and recycled tin cans) to create amazing flowers! The process of talking about the design and symmetry of flowers, drawing, cutting, and combining for a great 3-D result was amazing. I learned a lot from Bryan, as did everyone. He has a great artist statement, inspiring artwork, and an amazing ability to work with students of all ages. The end of the day culminated with an open house. We put the student's flowers in vases, a parent brought light refreshments and family and community members attended. They were able to view and ask questions about the exhibit. They visited with both Bryan and myself. Students taught their parents about the work in the show. Additionally, Bryan brought more of his work to show. All in all a full (no time for lunch on these days) as well as fun and inspiring day!
As you can see, I have been busy all over the state of Montana.
I have another full week coming up and am actually almost booked through the end of the school year. If you are ever interested in seeing the Art Mobile in action, feel free to contact me.
For now- I will close this VERY long update and try to be in touch with greater frequency.
I did travel in December, and I am currently traveling in January as well. The Art Mobile is still visiting Butte Central every month. That trip is great for a few reasons. The students and teachers are getting used to my being around. I am able to teach a variety of art lessons, medias, techniques; which definitely makes me realize how important frequent art education is. We are discussing creating a tile mural with student artwork in the next few visits. Next week brings the culmination of self-portraits and students will be able to use (under supervision of course) spray paint! They are more than excited to work with such a different type of paint. I think it's the added thrill of working with paint that usually falls under the guise of graffiti and other "ills." Wherever the source of their excitement comes from, I love to be greeted each month with students who are thrilled to see me. Makes a teacher feel good. :)
One additional reason I am enjoying (the frosting on the cake per say) Butte Central so very much is that I am able to teach 10 of my younger cousins and their friends. I have an unbelievably amazing family and seeing these cousins in their school element combined with showing, discussing and teaching them something I am incredibly passionate about is so very amazing. Not to mention, I spend nights with my Gram prepping and explaining what I'll be up to the next day. So yes, Butte has a special place in my heart. It is a town that reminds me that people are good. They help one another, care for one another, work hard, and value family and the deep roots of history. I'd hate to ruin the image a lot of people have of Butte. But it is one of the most admirable and inspiring towns I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of. Check out the PBS documentary, "Butte, America" if you want to see a glimpse as to why.
I have had many other travels up to this point as well. Many meals from my cooler, pretty horrible cups of coffee (still does the trick, but it is semi-painful), interesting winter roads, down right cold days, and most importantly I have met GREAT people. One thing Montana is full of, strong, caring, giving people.
The first week of January marked the end of holiday vacation. Students and teachers went back to school, and I hit the road. My first stop was Dillon. I met with the Dillon home school group and I have to say that this group is one of my favorites (and yes, I can have innumerable favorites, it's insanely hard to choose). I was less than thrilled to be leaving town in the midst of a winter storm warning, but all in all, I did just fine. I love to see what students remember from last year. There were even a few students who, over the summer, had met and purchased (with their own money) prints from an inspiring talented artist, DG House, at the Folk Festival in Butte. They were so enthusiastic! There is no doubt in my mind that they will remember DG for the rest of their lives. The parents are just as interested as the students to hear and learn about the work. The hunger for knowledge is being handed down, and that is fun to be a part of.
As I was packing the van up to head to Jackson, MT, I could see the storms circling around Dillon. It was inevitable that the winter weather was going to find me at last.
I made it to Jackson and I swear the temperature dropped 20 degrees. I hear this happens in the Big Hole valley. A absolutely ridiculously beautiful place that can get really, really, frigid cold. Well, I drove through Jackson before I realized that I drove past where I was staying for the night. Not to worry though, it was only the distance of an eye blink. I turned around and the Jackson hot springs gave me a room for two nights. They actually called me by name when I walked in the door. I was the only person that was possibly checking in. Makes me feel special when I walk in the door to a place I've never been and they greet me with, "hello Allison." It's my glimpse at celebrity. I guess they could have seen the Art Mobile drive past, that van is hard to miss and people definitely know when I'm in town. I'll keep my celebrity story though.
When I'm on the road, I sometimes come face to face with my addiction to technology. I lost service right outside of Dillon. Until I parked my van in Jackson, I thought I was going to be officially cut off for the rest of the week. I find it amazing that a cell phone (a thing I have only had for 8 years of my life) can actually send me into a period of anxiety. Will I survive if I can't contact anyone/someone at a moments notice, hard to say? Not to worry though, Jackson just recently obtained cell service, so I was able to breathe through the lack of Internet, radio, tv, etc. Really, even though I know it's insane, how am I comforted by my phone working? I am, maybe I have a technology addiction, TBD.
People in Montana are just friendly. Maybe it's the lack of traffic bringing new people to the area, but I swear I can meet and hear the life stories of innumerable people in one weeks time. Honestly, I have to hole myself up in my room with a book if I hit my maximum social capacity for the day. That happens too. You can only really socialize for so long before (at least I), need to recharge my batteries. This trip was no different. I met a lot of people.
An early morning drive through snow covered, icy, wind-blown roads brought me to Wisdom (I was lucky my van started, frigid, again). Plow trucks, one semi, and the Art Mobile braved the trip. It was a bit sketchy to be honest. Not to worry, my truck driving family has instilled lessons of safe driving into my core. I made it with time to spare. Wisdom, what a great name for a town! I had to be reminded where the school actually was (not right on the hwy as many are). But an amazing man was raising the flag (without hands mind you) at the post office. After I watched in awe at how a person can find ways around obstacles, I asked about the school. His reply was something along the lines of, oh, I thought that was what you were lookin' for. Great guy (on first impression). I had in fact been to Wisdom before, but sometimes towns blend together. I find it's easier to ask at first sign of confusion. Might as well, you always meet someone interesting and generally, you find your way faster. I love returning to schools and recognizing the students this year. It was a quick 4 hour visit, and I was off the Jackson school. How I drove by the Jackson school amazes me, but I did. I was having direction issues I guess.
Jackson was another, great, small school. These schools all had a max of 18 students K-8. A student was celebrating his 12th birthday, so I even had a brownie. Not to0 shabby of a way to finish the day. We all created ledger artwork and in the end, checked our visual storytelling ability by guessing one another's stories. I am never less than amazed at the creativity of students! The stories (real or imaginary) are always amazing. After a great, full day, I retired to my home at the Jackson hot springs. When you get done with teaching at 4pm, you really have a lot of solo time to burn before you can really justify bedtime. I had a great book, and have to admit that I'm a P90x junkie. So, on any given evening, you can find me in small town MT motels jumping around like a goof and doing a variety of other exercises. Jackson was interesting though, upon jumping, I had fear that the floor would crash in on itself. I'm not entirely sure why I'm admitting that, but it's true. It's amazing what you find when you have the new perspective from doing a push-up. Dog food pushed under the radiator, nice. I don't generally claim to be too high maintenance, but some of the places I stay surprise me. Wine rings on the table, bananas in the garbage, wine stains on the sheets (that look new), various wrappers all over the place, coffee grounds left in the coffee maker...and that's just the beginning. I bring my sleeping bag and have given up on the supplied comforters. So I guess I may be high maintenance.
An even larger storm was on it's way the next day. So my last night in Jackson reminded me how Dorthy must have felt in the Wizard of Oz. The wind was insane. At times, I was sure the room was going to pull away from the floor I had broken doing P90x earlier. It didn't, I survived. I even had a great cup of serious, black coffee from the main lodge in the morning. I needed that coffee too, I was on the way to Grant, MT. Did I mention it was over 30 degrees below zero??? It was, I ran my van for 30min and the frost had barely started to come of the wind shield.
Now, if you ever go to Grant, make sure you really take a look at the map. It's only 40 or so miles away from Jackson. But all of those fancy map making Internet programs say it will take 2.5 hours. Why?! Good question. The shortest route takes you down a dirt road, in this case a snow covered dirt road. With some assistance, I decided to stay on the main roads. I ended up at the Clark Canyon Dam, with more than an hour to spare. Well, I was now 12 miles away from my final destination, and I needed to use the restroom. There are no gas stations in the area, but the Dam (filled with ice fishing remnants) has a restroom. Have you ever used an outdoor restroom when it's around -30*?? Just take a second to imagine that...enough said. I spent an hour admiring the snowy sparkle that happens when it's so cold. I read my book, enjoyed the sun on my face through the window and burned an hour up very easily.
Off to Grant, another fantastic small, rural school. Only ten students participated (ooh's and awe's filled the room when each piece was placed on the gallery walls). The students LOVE the art they see. They value my trip to see them and seem to be anxiously excited to see what is new this year. It's amazing how much I take for granted all of the art I am able to see on a daily basis. But through the eyes of these kids, I get excited all over again.
The end of Grant took me to Butte to stay with my Gram and prepare for trips to Divide and Melrose. The weather cleared up, and roads were back to their normal rolling, weaving, and relaxing way. Both Divide and Melrose were also amazing rural schools. The students are now expecting to see the Art Mobile each year. They are excited and very thankful when I come. The teachers in rural schools seem to have a different rapport with parents and students alike. They are more of a big family who participate, teach, and look out for one another. Very admirable. A lot of the schools this week chose the ledger art lesson. I like it because it teaches about an amazing historical art form, it incorporates many media, it explains visual communication, it allows students to be creative and to tell a story of their own, and the focus is more on the story and less on technique. It seems like students need to feel less inhibited. They aren't as worried about doing it wrong, they jump into their story with more ease.
After this busy first week back, I had another great project coming up! Pine Creek school scheduled the art gallery (and me) to visit on Thursday. We left the exhibit up, and had a big plan for Friday. Friday, Bryan Peterson (a GREAT local metalsmith) and I drove over to Pine Creek. The students and teachers used recycled materials (old cereal boxes, recycled chopsticks donated from Dave's Sushi in Bozeman, and recycled tin cans) to create amazing flowers! The process of talking about the design and symmetry of flowers, drawing, cutting, and combining for a great 3-D result was amazing. I learned a lot from Bryan, as did everyone. He has a great artist statement, inspiring artwork, and an amazing ability to work with students of all ages. The end of the day culminated with an open house. We put the student's flowers in vases, a parent brought light refreshments and family and community members attended. They were able to view and ask questions about the exhibit. They visited with both Bryan and myself. Students taught their parents about the work in the show. Additionally, Bryan brought more of his work to show. All in all a full (no time for lunch on these days) as well as fun and inspiring day!
As you can see, I have been busy all over the state of Montana.
I have another full week coming up and am actually almost booked through the end of the school year. If you are ever interested in seeing the Art Mobile in action, feel free to contact me.
For now- I will close this VERY long update and try to be in touch with greater frequency.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
More cows than people.
I have been on many two lane roads these days. Not incredibly even, bubbling up and down and swiveling through mountains and fields. On these roads I am constantly mesmerized by the landscapes. Amazingly diverse layers of colors and textures. Fields, mountains, peaks, grasses, lakes, rivers...sometimes all in a single view. I read once that Montana has more cows than people, I think I believe that. Some days, I wonder if I were to break down, when would the next car come by? By car, I mean truck, I think trucks still outrank cars in this state. No blingy trucks either, serious working, useful automobiles. If my van WERE to break down, I would want to be saved by a truck. I bet that truck could build me a new van.
In these areas, the Art Mobile gets a few looks. I get a few looks too, as most people can come up with a very interesting character to play their art teacher. I should start the presentatin with a crazy dance to play into that idea, but I don't. It is amazing how we all try to size one another up, thinking that due to our previous experiences, we'll be able to tag a person based on what they look like. Well I may get the hippy/outdoorsy/outsider/blonde first impression. But, it's always amazing to me how the outsider induced cold shoulder turns incredibly warm when folks learn that I grew up in this great state, 5th generation. My dad, Butte, mom, Great Falls...those facts take me into the real Montana zone. In many towns, if not all, I have met someone who went to school with, dated, worked with some member of my family. It helps that my dad is one of 9 and my mom, one of 7. Most still live in Montana, so if that continues, we may start to outnumber the cows.
I'm always struck by Montanans. So real and lacking in most of the frills of commercialism. Yet, until I'm one of them, I hover in an outside circle. What I bring is not a necessity in many of these places. Yes, some people crave and are incredibly inspired by art. Yet, if a family has to eat, they have to be have more certainty that the art world initially provides. If cattle need to be moved, taking time to paint a pretty picture does seem frivolous in a way. But it's the bigger picture. It's understanding our history, our lives, our story. It's sharing that story and connecting with someone, something else. So I get a lot of comments that someone just doesn't "get" art. But I would make a cattle ranch go under in a matter of days. I don't "get" cattle. We each "get" something, hopefully love and are passionate about something. But isn't communication how we "get" one another? So, in essence, art is important if only as a way to get one another; to visually communicate.
There are moments in my day when I know what I do is worth it. Every teacher can feel bogged down with problems and issues. It's when a kid learns, has an "ah-ha" moment, when what I bring to these schools seems to touch a kid. Indian Education for all is an important facet of the education system. There is much to be learned about a culture that intertwines all disciplines. Because everything is connected. All too often, we attempt to appropriately label and separate EVERYTHING. Art is a part of science, history, math...everything. Native Americans seem to innately know and practice such things. That is reason enough to learn about the culture. I had a student this week who finally saw some of his world in the Art Mobile. If you think about it, the way we learn history is definitely from a specific perspective. He lit up when he saw the ledger art, because he connected to it. That's what makes it worth it. To have a kid see something at school that connects to their life and to the learning process. I like those moments.
In these areas, the Art Mobile gets a few looks. I get a few looks too, as most people can come up with a very interesting character to play their art teacher. I should start the presentatin with a crazy dance to play into that idea, but I don't. It is amazing how we all try to size one another up, thinking that due to our previous experiences, we'll be able to tag a person based on what they look like. Well I may get the hippy/outdoorsy/outsider/blonde first impression. But, it's always amazing to me how the outsider induced cold shoulder turns incredibly warm when folks learn that I grew up in this great state, 5th generation. My dad, Butte, mom, Great Falls...those facts take me into the real Montana zone. In many towns, if not all, I have met someone who went to school with, dated, worked with some member of my family. It helps that my dad is one of 9 and my mom, one of 7. Most still live in Montana, so if that continues, we may start to outnumber the cows.
I'm always struck by Montanans. So real and lacking in most of the frills of commercialism. Yet, until I'm one of them, I hover in an outside circle. What I bring is not a necessity in many of these places. Yes, some people crave and are incredibly inspired by art. Yet, if a family has to eat, they have to be have more certainty that the art world initially provides. If cattle need to be moved, taking time to paint a pretty picture does seem frivolous in a way. But it's the bigger picture. It's understanding our history, our lives, our story. It's sharing that story and connecting with someone, something else. So I get a lot of comments that someone just doesn't "get" art. But I would make a cattle ranch go under in a matter of days. I don't "get" cattle. We each "get" something, hopefully love and are passionate about something. But isn't communication how we "get" one another? So, in essence, art is important if only as a way to get one another; to visually communicate.
There are moments in my day when I know what I do is worth it. Every teacher can feel bogged down with problems and issues. It's when a kid learns, has an "ah-ha" moment, when what I bring to these schools seems to touch a kid. Indian Education for all is an important facet of the education system. There is much to be learned about a culture that intertwines all disciplines. Because everything is connected. All too often, we attempt to appropriately label and separate EVERYTHING. Art is a part of science, history, math...everything. Native Americans seem to innately know and practice such things. That is reason enough to learn about the culture. I had a student this week who finally saw some of his world in the Art Mobile. If you think about it, the way we learn history is definitely from a specific perspective. He lit up when he saw the ledger art, because he connected to it. That's what makes it worth it. To have a kid see something at school that connects to their life and to the learning process. I like those moments.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday West of the Divide
Another great day on the road! I had three presentations today. One with a young group of Kindergardeners...so uninhibited and inquisitive, yet the attention span isn't all that lengthy. Great kids though. It's neat to see the craving for knowledge that most young kids have. I wish that hunger continued...and in some, thankfully, it does. The humor of a 5yr old, usually not purposeful, but it is brilliant and fresh and I absolutly love it. Bring on the 5yr old comments!! The big groups were 1-5th grade and then 6-12th grade.
Teens, oh boy. I wish I could help the teens realize that learning is cool. Or maybe that they can be an individual...I don't miss those years of trying, somewhat desperately, to figure life out. That combined with the seemingly invisibility of that age group. With each grade level, comments definitely decrease for the Art Mobile. It's like with each year, we learn that there is pain associated with throwing it all out there. Are we learning to be inhibited? Yes, you could be horribly wrong- but trying, THAT is the most important thing. Being comfortable in situations where you are uncomfortable, also important. Yet I can feel the high school kids sizing me up to see if I'm a "cool" kid. Or sizing the art up to see if it is "cool" to like. All in all the teachers are all very excited to see and learn new things. It's great to see educators who crave and get amped up on knowledge; extremely inspiring. What I don't quite understand is the few teachers that nod off or obviously zone out during my presentation, okay, maybe only one or two...but still. As if the students don't learn what is appropriate based on seeing the actions of adults. That's frustrating, especially if they sit in the front row. :) But the day went well. I would say that the native art pieces and Steve Glueckert's drawing machine drew the most inquisitive and out of the ordinary looks. The strength of the exhibit makes it difficult to perceive any favorites. I think the variety and technique shown by the Montana artists makes my ramblings about their work somewhat easy and natural. I love thinking and talking about the why and how's of art...so very interesting and never the same answer. Even when an artist uses the exact same materials, they can't help but to make it their own. Love it. On to a more northern site tomorrow. Until next time-
Teens, oh boy. I wish I could help the teens realize that learning is cool. Or maybe that they can be an individual...I don't miss those years of trying, somewhat desperately, to figure life out. That combined with the seemingly invisibility of that age group. With each grade level, comments definitely decrease for the Art Mobile. It's like with each year, we learn that there is pain associated with throwing it all out there. Are we learning to be inhibited? Yes, you could be horribly wrong- but trying, THAT is the most important thing. Being comfortable in situations where you are uncomfortable, also important. Yet I can feel the high school kids sizing me up to see if I'm a "cool" kid. Or sizing the art up to see if it is "cool" to like. All in all the teachers are all very excited to see and learn new things. It's great to see educators who crave and get amped up on knowledge; extremely inspiring. What I don't quite understand is the few teachers that nod off or obviously zone out during my presentation, okay, maybe only one or two...but still. As if the students don't learn what is appropriate based on seeing the actions of adults. That's frustrating, especially if they sit in the front row. :) But the day went well. I would say that the native art pieces and Steve Glueckert's drawing machine drew the most inquisitive and out of the ordinary looks. The strength of the exhibit makes it difficult to perceive any favorites. I think the variety and technique shown by the Montana artists makes my ramblings about their work somewhat easy and natural. I love thinking and talking about the why and how's of art...so very interesting and never the same answer. Even when an artist uses the exact same materials, they can't help but to make it their own. Love it. On to a more northern site tomorrow. Until next time-
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I think my brain gets fried after talking all day long...I wonder if I can scientifically prove such a thing. All I know is that the process of setting up the exhibit and talking about the work is exhausting and great all in the same bundle. I hope what I say makes sense, but knowing that my brain seems to operate in run-on/ADD fashion, I can only hope for the best. Somewhere in the third hour of talking about the art, and amazing artwork as it is, I hit a blurry haze and wonder if I just repeated myself or if the information I just shared was at all coherent. I have been on tour a lot in the last month, so I think that sleeping away from home adds to the level of exhaustion. Or, I'm just crazy, hard to say. :)
That rambling is a warning that this journal/blog entry could possibly be somewhat incoherent. However, I want to update, so here it goes...
Ahhh, the good stuff, the art education/outreach is worth it. I have been all over mostly NW/W Montana. I am constantly seeing new things in the artwork that is in the exhibit, due to the inquisitive eyes of students and teachers. It is amazing how, as an artist, we create something that is a part of us; something hopefully unique. Something we hope connects each of us to someone else, or possibly the someone else to the environment, a dream, place...something. Whatever it is, it is about that connection. After all, without the viewer (connection) the work never becomes real or alive. I have to hope that even if that connection is small...say, a once a year visit from the Art Mobile, it will be remembered. The possibility that something else is out there. That rules can be broken or that each individual story is important...those are thing I hope these kids are left with. I don't trick myself into thinking that learning a few art terms and creating art for an hour will change their lives or the world. I definitely have students fall asleep and zone out during my visits. But maybe I'm there for the kid in front, soaking it all in and asking every question possible. Maybe that's who needs the Art Mobile.
I have been amazingly blessed in my life. I have the support, education, and drive to be able to create art and to travel with the Art Mobile. I will continue to grow and I will reach goals only to set new ones. I can only hope that each student gets fired up enough, about something, anything...that they will strive to reach their potential. If the students I reach aren't thrilled about art, maybe they'll grow in their appreciation and understanding of it. Possibly we can cross some boundaries and grow to empathize with one another with such thoughts and realizations ...
There are a lot of questions that being on the road and teaching all of these great students leaves me with. I have never seen Montana in the way that I see it from my van. Good people, hard-working people who are doing their best to simply live their lives. People living in an area because a certain industry brought them or their ancestors there. Now seeing schools close, lose enrollment and the number of vacant buildings in small town Montana...I have started to fear that these places may disappear. Jobs are necessary in these areas. I don't think there are a lot to go around. I don't know the answer, I just don't want to lose the core of our state. The people are always inspiring and determined. I trust they will find away to stay afloat. For now, I'll keep bringing them the art!
That rambling is a warning that this journal/blog entry could possibly be somewhat incoherent. However, I want to update, so here it goes...
Ahhh, the good stuff, the art education/outreach is worth it. I have been all over mostly NW/W Montana. I am constantly seeing new things in the artwork that is in the exhibit, due to the inquisitive eyes of students and teachers. It is amazing how, as an artist, we create something that is a part of us; something hopefully unique. Something we hope connects each of us to someone else, or possibly the someone else to the environment, a dream, place...something. Whatever it is, it is about that connection. After all, without the viewer (connection) the work never becomes real or alive. I have to hope that even if that connection is small...say, a once a year visit from the Art Mobile, it will be remembered. The possibility that something else is out there. That rules can be broken or that each individual story is important...those are thing I hope these kids are left with. I don't trick myself into thinking that learning a few art terms and creating art for an hour will change their lives or the world. I definitely have students fall asleep and zone out during my visits. But maybe I'm there for the kid in front, soaking it all in and asking every question possible. Maybe that's who needs the Art Mobile.
I have been amazingly blessed in my life. I have the support, education, and drive to be able to create art and to travel with the Art Mobile. I will continue to grow and I will reach goals only to set new ones. I can only hope that each student gets fired up enough, about something, anything...that they will strive to reach their potential. If the students I reach aren't thrilled about art, maybe they'll grow in their appreciation and understanding of it. Possibly we can cross some boundaries and grow to empathize with one another with such thoughts and realizations ...
There are a lot of questions that being on the road and teaching all of these great students leaves me with. I have never seen Montana in the way that I see it from my van. Good people, hard-working people who are doing their best to simply live their lives. People living in an area because a certain industry brought them or their ancestors there. Now seeing schools close, lose enrollment and the number of vacant buildings in small town Montana...I have started to fear that these places may disappear. Jobs are necessary in these areas. I don't think there are a lot to go around. I don't know the answer, I just don't want to lose the core of our state. The people are always inspiring and determined. I trust they will find away to stay afloat. For now, I'll keep bringing them the art!
Monday, November 2, 2009
soabox rambling
Wow, a MONTH since my last post, slacker.
It's an interesting job. A lot of NPR (or bad country radio, it goes both ways) and coffee in the morning, while driving. Followed by meeting some new people and sharing the exhibit with them, followed yet again by some more driving. Books on tape, radio...aimless thought wanderings. I have always painted, spent time alone and been comfortable doing so. But this leaves me time to write songs, if I were so inclined or talented in that fashion. I am not, or I haven't developed myself in that way.
Some current questions...what happens if the next Turner, Picasso, Michelangelo..fill in your own fav artist from history, just so happens to not be exposed to art? No training in art...imagine the void. Can we not value art because we can't perceive the void?
Why do we need art? Maybe because each of us needs to have a reason to wake up. A way to feel alive. If it's skiing, science, math, carpentry, break dancing, or art- whatever it is, each of us has to find it.
Why is there a battle for the arts? Is that really something to debate? The necessity of feeling connected to humanity, the need to dance, sing, feel something beautiful wrap over you? Really, because even though I will admit that I wouldn't spend my spare time doing math, does math wrap around even the most ignorant mathematician? Does math cross cultural boundaries and communicate...shiest, maybe it does in a way. I'm not a math hater. I am simply saying that we can and must have it all. I want to give the next Turner a reason to believe they can and should paint. Or at the very least, I like seeing happy kids simply making art. They're happy. Why can't we fight for art just for that fact?
Soapbox, down.
:)
It's an interesting job. A lot of NPR (or bad country radio, it goes both ways) and coffee in the morning, while driving. Followed by meeting some new people and sharing the exhibit with them, followed yet again by some more driving. Books on tape, radio...aimless thought wanderings. I have always painted, spent time alone and been comfortable doing so. But this leaves me time to write songs, if I were so inclined or talented in that fashion. I am not, or I haven't developed myself in that way.
Some current questions...what happens if the next Turner, Picasso, Michelangelo..fill in your own fav artist from history, just so happens to not be exposed to art? No training in art...imagine the void. Can we not value art because we can't perceive the void?
Why do we need art? Maybe because each of us needs to have a reason to wake up. A way to feel alive. If it's skiing, science, math, carpentry, break dancing, or art- whatever it is, each of us has to find it.
Why is there a battle for the arts? Is that really something to debate? The necessity of feeling connected to humanity, the need to dance, sing, feel something beautiful wrap over you? Really, because even though I will admit that I wouldn't spend my spare time doing math, does math wrap around even the most ignorant mathematician? Does math cross cultural boundaries and communicate...shiest, maybe it does in a way. I'm not a math hater. I am simply saying that we can and must have it all. I want to give the next Turner a reason to believe they can and should paint. Or at the very least, I like seeing happy kids simply making art. They're happy. Why can't we fight for art just for that fact?
Soapbox, down.
:)
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