me arts ed

How strong is your tree?

I love trees and watch some closely as part of the changes in seasons but in other ways as well. Recently while on the phone I was standing in my mud room looking out the window when something red caught my eye. At a closer look I realized it was a Pileated woodpecker pecking at a huge red maple at the end of my driveway. The big bird was looking for some breakfast at the base of the tree. As I chatted away I watched and noticed a second one. The big old maple was scarred by a piece of equipment years ago when the driveway was put in which has impacted the trees health. Part of me was happy to see the woodpecker. Within moments a second one appeared. The sound got stronger as they both searched for bugs as the snow continued to melt from the long winter.

I was glad to receive the post below from Waterville High School art teacher Suzanne Goulet. She shares some thoughts on trees and its relationship to our connections after seeing Augusta elementary art teacher Robin Brooks’ exhibit in Gardiner at ARTDOGS. In Suzanne’s words…

The show is titled, “A sense of place” and Robins works put me there. Energetic perspectives of trees and light, shapes and colors, textures and lines. Her recent black and white images with broad lines and balance, appear kinetic and monumental. Though the trees tower, they do not intimidate – they are majestic and dancing.

I first met Robin through the fantastic educator show that Allison Price (Brunswick Arts Educator) facilitated at the Saco Museum. Robin practices the philosophy of Reggio Emilia in her classroom/atelier and shared with me the journey of her district to embrace this direction and her continued growth and community that she shares with like-minded educators.

Networking is one way to share and grow in our arts community. There are much too many names for me to list here as branches in my vitae. I am professionally pleased to say that Robin is one of them.

What? Who are your branches?………what do you do to keep your arts tree healthy?

Robin Brooks with her artwork