me arts ed

YAHOOOOO for Trudy Wilson and Rick Ash!

Many visual and performing arts educators work tirelessly for years expecting little or no recognition. Once in a while we have the chance to celebrate their exemplary work. On Monday, March 9, 2009, two people will be honored for their dedication and commitment to young people and arts education!

Trudy receiving her award!

Dr. Trudy Wilson, art education professor at USM, will receive the 2009 Bill Bonyun Artist/Educator Award. Veteran theater educator, Rick Ash, from Camden Hills Regional High School will receive the Honored Nominee citation.

Rick receiving his award.

Arts Education Advocacy Day at the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta is sponsored by the Maine Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE). Speaking and presenting the awards will be First Lady Karen Baldacci. The activities, scheduled for 11-1:00, will include displays by arts education organizations, artists/educators and a chance to meet and greet legislators.

Dr. Wilson’s exemplary work includes developing a strong undergraduate art education program at USM, being a founding member of the Arts are Basic Coalition, serving as President of the Maine Art Education Association, and serving on the panel for Maine Learning Results revisions.

Mr. Ash is the theater and technical theater teacher at Camden Hills Regional High School. Ash is held in high esteem by students, parents and teachers. Carol Trimble, Executive of MAAE said: “For the past 28 years Rick Ash has shown outstanding commitment and enthusiasm for teaching the art and craft of theater to hundreds of students. His ability to engage all students in theater arts is remarkable and inspiring.

The Maine Alliance for Arts Education is the only statewide professional organization that works to strengthen educational excellence in all the arts: music, visual art, dance, theater, and writing. For more information visit the MAAE site or email the organization.

I have known Trudy and Rick for several years, calling on both of them to answer questions, requesting feedback, and tapping into their wisdom and experience as arts educators. They have each put their heart and soul into their work that impacts Maine students, educators and arts education! I am sooooooooooo proud to know them and offer my warmest CONGRATULATIONS on this well deserved recognition!! THANK YOU!!

Maine Arts Commission (MAC) seeking high school student art work.

The 2009 Congressional Art Competition sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives and handled by the MAC is collecting digital high school art work until March 20th. The winning work, one from each congressional district, will be part of a year display at the U.S. Capitol.                                                  

The program recognizes the importance of student art work. Last year’s winners were Mary Howard of Bangor High School and Max Pistner of Maranacook High School, both students were recognized at a reception at the Blaine House in Augusta.

For further information, please contact Paul Faria at paul.faria@maine.gov, 207/287-2790.

Art work by Mary Howard, Bangor High School

Who could the violinist in the DC metro be?

This is a great story about a violinist who plays in the metro in Washington DC. It is not just any violinist, but when you read it you will learn that the violinist is not the most important part. It’s about life and how some people go through the day. Please go to the Washington Post Magazine and read the story. It would be great to hear your thoughts and answers to the questions at the end of the article. Thanks to Lake Region High and Middle School music teacher, Paul Greenstone, who suggested to his wife, Barbara, that she forward it to me.

And when you get finished reading the article, if you are interested, you can read the follow up comments in The Washington Post. Some people thought it was a hoax but here is the Snopes article. Please post your comments here so others can reflect on what you have to say!

You’re in for a wonderful treat, if you attend the Maine Drama Festival!

This weekend, March 6th and 7th, 2009, the Maine Drama Festival will be taking place throughout Maine. Hundreds of high school students perform with their drama groups in 9 different high schools. Performances take place on Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.

If you decide to attend one or all three time slots, you won’t be disappointed! What a great way to get out and relieve some of that cabin fever that you might be experiencing. For more details, please go to the Maine Festival Drama site and locate the high school closest to you, where the festival will be taking place.

The festival is supported by the Maine Principals’ Association. If you are a drama teacher and would like to add more information, I am sure readers would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the festival. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Two YOUTH ART MONTH exhibits taking place this month!

About 100 student works from Maine K-12 arts education programs are on display for the annual Youth Art Month celebration at the Portland Museum of Art. The exhibit is sponsored by the Maine Art Education Association.

Students and their families, art educators and other friends of the arts attend this special event to view student work and watch the young artists receive recognition. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2009, 5:00-7:30. Certificates will be presented to artists in grades K-5 starting at 5:30 and to the grades 6-12 artists at 6:30. The exhibit remains on display until March 29th.

“On the Ice” by grade 8 student Anne-Marie, Art Teacher Frank Chin

Also, this month is the annual Bangor Mall show sponsored by Art in the Heart and the University of Maine Museum of Art. Fifty area K-12 art teachers are showcasing their student art work which will be on display at the mall, March 8-22, 2009.

I hope you find the time to exhibit student art work this month and/or visit an exhibit that is taking place. Taking the time to recognize students for their creations is the focus of Youth Art Month! What are you doing this month to recognize your students for their art work? Please let me know how you are celebrating and I would be glad to add them to the “Upcoming Events” page.

“The word Edutopia represents an ideal educational landscape, where students are motivated to learn and teachers are energized by the excitement of teaching.” The George Lucas Foundation established Edutopia in 1991 and publishes a magazine, website, and video documentaries.

This months issue of Edutopia is featuring the arts and entitled: “Why Arts Education Must Be Saved”. If you have questions about the importance of arts education you don’t want to miss these thought provoking articles and videos.

Take a snow day or some time on the weekend and check out Edutopia. You can learn about outstanding programs, research, gain ideas, see how technology is integrated in the teaching of arts education, and much more! You can even sign up for a Free copy of the magazine. One article is on using youtube to inspire your students. One of my favorite clips is this dance one is called “OK-Here It Goes Again”.

© Edutopia.org; The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Let us know what you think of Edutopia, which article you find valuable or inspirational!

I had a special treat last Thursday afternoon while attending the masterclass with Yo-Yo Ma at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Three young Maine cellists had the opportunity to work with Mr. Ma and about 300 members of the public in the audience. His warm smile and sense of humor invited all to participate. The man, as we all know, is a genius of a musician, but to see him work with students and draw in the audience, was pure magic! It was amazing to watch and listen to Mr. Ma teach and the students skills transform before my eyes.

Some of the highlights for me… On playing: ” music is so incredibly emotional, one can not just use one side of the brain.” It takes the entire brain to make music. On practicing: “you have the power to navigate your own course, you will find the buttons to push. Don’t make a sound unless you want to enjoy it. Move from “should” to “want to”. On nerves/stress: ” when I get nervous, I listen to the people around me and get their energy.” On learning: “what I love about music is that you never stop learning. Cultural literacy is so important. We can’t just look in through the window, we need to jump right in and learn.” When Mr. Ma was asked if he ever gets tired of playing the same music his response was: ” do you ever get tired of eating a hamburger? The ocean never gets boring, every time I look at it, it looks different. And every time I play a piece it sounds different.”

Yo-Yo Ma performed that evening to a sold out audience at the Merrill. Perhaps you were one of the lucky ones to attend that performance. If so, please give us your impressions. Both events were sponsored by PCA Great Performances. Thanks to the PCA staff who continue to bring outstanding music education opportunities to Maine. Read more at http://pcagreatperformances.org/