me arts ed

Centerpieces that Keep on Centerpiecing

Veteran art educator Suzanne Goulet and first year teacher Crystal Douglas (student of Trudy Wilson at USM and student of mine from middle school) from Waterville High School teamed up to create the conference centerpieces. Sadly, neither one could join us due to other traditional commitments they had but none the less they wanted to contribute to the conference.

Instead of creating something quick and easy they masterminded a meaningful work of art. The 3″ thick bases were sliced out of a log that measured about 10 inches across. A thin branch like piece came up from the base that gently bent over the wood, dipping towards it. Off of the branch tied to string hung three origami lanterns. A flat paper shaped like a lily pad with the conference logo sat on the base.

Suzanne had created a small origami lantern for each participant. In her own words:

“For, though, “the Arts Connect”, it is the educator that gives them life. It is the educator that transcends the 2 dimensions into the 3 dimensions. Each educator creates more than what we start with. The centerpiece represents the following:

*Dance: Kinetic  *Music: Arrangement *Theatre: Stage *Visual Arts: Colors and Shape

Each educator could blow into the flat form and make it 3 dimensional. Those who found a yellow stickie on the bottom of their chair got to take a centerpiece home with them.

The centerpieces complimented the blue and gold balloons that were recycled from the Celebration the night before. THANK YOU Suzanne and Crystal for your creative work to help the conference with one of the little touches that make the two days unique.