me arts ed

CONGRATULATIONS

Karen Baldacci presented student awards

On Wednesday this week, with meetings sandwiched in between, I went from a celebration of student art work at the Blaine House to an Imagination Intensive Community celebration for Camden-Rockport. I love the days when I am reminded that we have so much to be proud of as arts educators.

The Maine Youth Excellence in Art, a program sponsored by the Maine Arts Commission, held a tea at the Blaine House for the young artists and their teachers and families. The First Lady, Karen Baldacci, was present and joyfully presented the certificates and medals to the 30 artists. Their art work is on display in the State Capitol Complex where many of the families visited after enjoying tea and cookies at the Blaine House.

Camden-Rockport proudly recognized the Imagination Intensive Community (IIC) award at the monthly MSAD 28 school board meeting. Nancy Albertson opened with the history of the program and why they were selected as an IIC for 2010. Also present to receive the banner and certificate were Rick Ash, Kim Murphy, Nancy Rowe from  Camden Hills Regional High School, Monica Kelly from Bay Chambers, and Nancy Albertson and Ingrid Ellison who were leads on the project. Camden-Rockport provides a variety of on-going imaginative, educational opportunities for students.

Rick, Nancy, Argy, Monica, Nancy, Kim, Ingrid

Please join me in CONGRATULATING the student artists and the school and community of Camden-Rockport for their IIC award!

Aren’t we fortunate to love what we do and do what we love?

Anne's photo on the river

When I hear people say “I’m bored” I think, how can that be? The day is never long enough for me, there are always projects undone, phone calls to make, meetings to attend, blogs drafted, and “to do” lists. I’d like to be bored for just a few minutes to know what it feels like. Many arts educators became teachers because they love to make music, dance, create art work, and/or act, our work overlaps our passion or they are one. The connection between making art and teaching young people about our passion connects well. Almost all the arts educators I’ve met in Maine are doing what they love and loving what they do.

My work at the Department is a little different, however I am never bored. At this point in my life one of my goals is to carve out a few minutes each day to be creative, to make something or view a situation differently. If a week goes by and I find that has not happened I stop and assess. I find myself going to my creative space to find the materials that can almost instantly put me into the creative process. I know that most of you understand this.

Eagles

So, last weekend I was fortunate to spend almost the entire weekend “being creative”, making art. As you know it was a beautiful weekend. I joined three friends at a camp on a pond close to home to make art. We each showed up with cars full of a variety of materials. Boxes filled with papers, wires, drawing tools, glues, scissors, fabrics, photographs, and a variety of other “stuff”. At the end of the weekend we left with collages, cards, drawings, jewelry, and more ideas and directions to continue the work and play another day.

Kal making collages

Certainly the highlight of the weekend was being with friends who share my love for art making which is the foundation for our friendship. We met because we are art teachers. The surprise for the weekend was the great weather and the opportunity to go out on my husbands boat. We traveled up the narrow part of the pond into the river to where the water was still, the reflections were brilliant, and wildlife out and ready to greet us. We often see the sign of the beavers but I rarely see them out and about. We saw a somewhat small one and within 3 minutes saw another one, much larger, on the end of a log. On our return we saw 5 eagles including 2 juveniles. Luckily I had my camera but the beavers were much to quick and the eagles (4 showing in the picture) were to small for my camera to pick up. Our memory will hold the image.

Both sitings and the beauty of the day weekend gave me a chance to pause and realize how fortunate I am to live in Maine where I can see wildlife not far from home and spend a beautiful weekend with friends, arts educators, and artists. As Thanksgiving approaches I am appreciative. I am also grateful that I am never bored!

On the river