At the end of the 2022-23 school year MAEA president Cory Bucknam provided several book titles for independent reading during the summer. At the next LGBTQIA+ meeting on Monday, September 11th at 5:00 over Zoom the participants will discuss these two books.
Fiction:Small Joys, Elvin James Mensah
Non-fiction:Pageboy: A Memoir, Elliot Page
The MAEA LGBTQIA+ Interest Group was Inspired by the National Art Education Association’s (NAEA) LGBTQ+ Interest Group. A few passionate MAEA members wanted to create a version of that in Maine. Not all MAEA members are NAEA members, and the organization wanted to give teachers access to a group that supports those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and also help all teachers to support their LGBTQIA+ students and coworkers.
The LGBTQIA+ Interest Group will meet monthly, with virtual meetings to prevent excluding members because of geography, and possibly a few in-person meetings throughout the state for fostering connections and socializing. The LGBTQIA+ Interest Group has three main goals group:
Continue developing a vision and mission for the group
Learning for ourselves (example: the summer reading group)
Sharing learning with others (example: creating a resource page on the MAEA website)
Below, a list of books MAEA provided members.
Heart Stopper by Alice Oseman
Baby by Torrey Peters
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah
All My Mothers Lovers by Ilana Masad
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
Grace Needs Space! by Benjamin Al Wilgus and Rii Abrego
The Lesbiana’s by Sonora Reyes
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
While we’re on the topic, the state professional organization representing music educators, Maine Music Educators Association (MMEA), created this Pride statement:
As Pride Month draws to a close, MMEA shines a light on LGBTQ+ artists and music educators and all their contributions within our classrooms. While Pride is the focus during the month of June, our LGBTQ+ colleagues, students, families, and community members value representation and affirmation within the education community all year long. Thank you for continuing to create an inclusive music classroom where all individuals feel welcome.
It seems to me like each issue of the Union of Maine Visual Arts (UMVA) journal is better than the one before. The summer issue, In Balance/Imbalance is no exception; filled with thoughtful and thought provoking articles.
This issue includes a piece written for the education column, Insight/Incite by Sharon Gallant, a veteran Gardiner High School Science teacher who has taken many workshops and classes on Bookmaking. Sharon is the 2023 Kennebec County Teacher of the Year and she is always seeking understanding in all facets of bookmaking. She is recognized for a teaching style that is participatory, interdisciplinary, and academically sound. She was selected for a 100 hour apprenticeship with Richard Reitz Smith to expand her bookmaking knowledge and to create a book which will be a reference tool for teachers wanting to use bookmaking in the classroom. I wrote a blog post about Sharon’s work in the classroom earlier this year at THIS LINK.
Véronique Plesch’s introduction says it best, for the summer issue of the UMVA journal:
Although each of our contributors conceives and experiences the dual notions of balance and its lack or loss in remarkably varied and personal ways, what emerges from this issue is that balance is fundamentally dynamic in nature. As a process, it is impermanent and fleeting. It is a negotiation, a dance with the entropic forces of chaos. It is a drive, a desire—perhaps even an unattainable goal. It is the pursuit of such goals, even of those that may never be fully reached, that effect profound change. Artists can contribute by spreading awareness of the imbalances that surround us. The concert of their voices motivates us and gives us the necessary strength to face the task at hand to rebalance our world.
If you’d like to learn more, become a member of UMVA, and support this fabulous organization you may do so at THIS LINK. If you’re interested in writing for the journal please contact me at meartsed@gmail.com or go to THIS LINK.
I think the video embedded below was a Coca-Cola commercial for this year’s Super Bowl; yup, back in February 2023. I don’t know exactly how it was created but Artificial Intelligence, AI was part of it. This came out about the same time that I started to see more information and reading about AI. Some people closest to my circle were concerned, and still are, about the negative impact AI might have on education, learning (or the lack of), creativity, and originality. I find it difficult to take a stand, for or against. For me there is too much grey area on the topic. Take this commercial, for example. I’m guessing that we can all agree that it is well done on all levels, creative and inspiring. It includes many known art works. An entire lesson could be formed around or built on the idea. An integrated lesson for music and visual art and actually many subject areas.
One comment from someone in the advertising community said: “that’s the proper way to use ai stuff. not to make the entire content, but to work alongside traditional methods”. I do agree!
I dug a little to learn about it and this is what I found: The new campaign from Coca-Cola features a combination of film, 3D, and Stable Diffusion, which is deep learning, text-to-image AI model. Traditional production methods coupled with artificial intelligence will bring the next level of creativity to the advertising industry.
I suggest that as educators responsible for the arts, use this as an example of how we can utilize AI for the expansion of the creative process. What do you think?
The 4th of July is meaningful for me for many reasons. This post is dedicated to the symbolism that many of us grew up with about today, and a bit of my family story that connects me to this day.
Some of you know my family story/history of my Mother and Father. Without going into a ton of details here are some of the highlights. My father came to America as George Panagiotopouls*, on a boat by himself at age 14 from his home country of Greece. My dad arrived at Ellis Island, met by his aunt and uncle and eventually was adopted by them. On his first day, he met my mother Sophie Prodromos, whose parents were born in Greece. My parents were friends through successful years in public school and through their involvement with the Greek Orthodox Church. The church supported and provided opportunities for the young people in the community. My parents married on July 4, 1942 without my grandfather’s* approval, and one week later my Dad left to fight in WWII for 3 years.
July 4, 1942, Dad and Mom on their wedding day
My parents were completely dedicated to the war effort. My Dad was part of the First Division, the Big Red One, and fought in Africa, Sicily, landing on the beach in Normandy, north through France, the Battle of the Bulge and into Germany where he was wounded. He was a Forward Observer. My Mother was a ‘Gray Lady’* during this time. My Father returned home, a hero of the Greek community, decorated with many medals. He was accepted by family and he and my mother went on to serve both the Greek and greater community in multiple ways. Throughout their lives they had an incredible work ethic, a zest and appreciation for life, and what I describe as ‘ideal citizens’. They were committed to the USA, proud and appreciative Greek Americans, part of the Greatest Generation.
Sophie in her Gray Lady uniform holding a photo of George and his Silver Star
My 3 siblings and I grew up in a loving environment encouraged to be our best selves. I am the youngest of four. My Mother wanted me to have my own special day and shared the story that she waited until five minutes after minute to give birth. I was born on July 5th. Every 4th of July we’d celebrate by having a big gathering in the backyard of an amazing home. The cake always read: “Happy Anniversary George and Sophie, Happy Birthday Argy”. I remember feeling very special to share the day, year after year, with my parents and all the friends and family who had gathered.
Nestor children, Peter, Niki, Bill, Argy in their Greek costumes getting ready to dance. Sophie taught three generations of children Greek dancing.
While I was in college musician Melissa Manchester came to my campus (Glassboro State College, now Rowan University) to perform. Over the next several years I fell in love with her music and went to several of her concerts. A few years back she performed at the Chocolate Church in Bath. I realized that her status and music had changed. It was very special to hear her again in concert. When I was considering what to include in today’s blog post I did a google search and what did I find, but a YouTube video that captures some of my thoughts. In the music video below Melissa Manchester sings an earlier hit “Just you and I” in a Labor Day tribute (2020) to the essential workers and first responders who helped us through the coronavirus. Accompanying her is singer/songwriter saxophonist Gerald Albright and singers from Citrus College. I especially love the images in the video and the involvement of the Citrus College singers. Beautiful!
I am reminded of where we were three years ago, how far we’ve come past the pandemic. I am saddened by the political turmoil in our country. My parents story reminds me of the importance of taking action and not sitting back and just talking about it. Wherever you are today, whatever your beliefs, I hope it is a day filled with love and hope for the future of our country and that you are taking positive action.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead
Just You and I Melissa Manchester
*After my father was adopted by his aunt Mary and uncle Charles his name was changed to George Nestor. Charles had changed his years earlier. Nestor is a Greek first name (King of Pylos).
*So the story as I understand it… my mother’s father felt that since my father was an emigrant that he wasn’t good enough for my mother. So interesting since Prodromou Prodromos was an emigrant himself.
*For many years ‘Gray Ladies’ provided services of a non-medial nature to sick, injured and disabled patients.
Argy Nestor
Arts Educator, Blogger, Artist, Connector meartsed@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/anestor/
Argy’s Blog
The purpose of this blog is to share stories about people and places; and to celebrate the amazing work (and play) that students, educators, and organizations are doing in and for arts education. In addition, the blog has a plethora of resources and innovative ideas. This forum gives blog readers the opportunity to learn from each other. It is essential that we listen, learn, and collaborate in order to build on teaching practices for the benefit of every learner in Maine and beyond.
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