Archive for the ‘Visual Arts’ Category

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Books to Consider

August 8, 2023

Books to help support education and educators

All teachers want to be prepared and to broaden their horizons so they can be better prepared personally and when interacting with their own students. Below is a list of books that were brought to my attention by the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association. These are Rainbow Reads 2023 booklist.

PICTURE BOOKS

  • Calvin, RJ and Vanessa Ford & Kayla Harren (illustrator). In this joyful and impactful picture book, a transgender boy prepares for the first day of school and introduces himself to his family and friends for the first time.
  • If You’re A Kid Like Gavin: A True Story of a Young Trans Activist, Gavin Grimm, Kyle Lukoff, & J Yang (illustrator) A celebratory and empowering story from young trans activist Gavin Grimm, two-time Stonewall Award-winning and Newbery Honor-winning author Kyle Lukoff, and illustrator J Yang follows the true story of how a young boy stood up for himself—and made history along the way.  A Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Best Book of the Year!
  • Love, Violet, Charlotte Sullivan Wild & Charlene Chua (illustrator) Perfect for Valentine’s Day, a touching picture book about friendship and the courage it takes to share your feelings.
  • Mama, Mommy, and Me in the Middle, Nina LaCour & Kayla Juanita (illustrator) A little girl stays home with Mama when Mommy goes off on a work trip in this tender, inviting story that will resonate with every child who has missed a parent.
  • True You: A Gender Journey, Gwen Agna & Shelley Rotner (illustrator) There are different ways to show and be who you are in this affirming photographic picture book that offers a celebratory and informative look at kids and their wide-ranging gender identities.

MIDDLE GRADE

  • A High Five for Glenn Burke, Phil Bildner A heartfelt and relatable novel from Phil Bildner, weaving the real history of Los Angeles Dodger and Oakland Athletic Glenn Burke–the first professional baseball player to come out as gay–into the story of a middle-school kid learning to be himself.
  • Ana on the Edge, AJ Sass Perfect for fans of George and Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World: a heartfelt coming of age story about a nonbinary character navigating a binary world.
  • The Insiders, Mark Oshiro A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year An ALA Rainbow Book List Top 10 Title for Young Readers Three kids who don’t belong. A room that shouldn’t exist. A year that will change everything. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Meg Medina, this debut middle grade novel from award-winning author Mark Oshiro is a hopeful and heartfelt coming-of-age story for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t fit in.
  • The Real Riley Mayes, Rachel Elliot A Stonewall Book Award Honor * A Sid Fleishman Humor Award HonorFunny and full of heart, this debut graphic novel is a story about friendship, identity, and embracing all the parts of yourself that make you special.
  • Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston, Esme Symes-Smith In a magical medieval world filled with dragons, shape-shifters, and witches, a twelve-year-old nonbinary hopeful knight battles for the heart of their kingdom. A thrilling middle-grade series opener that explores identity and gender amid sword fights and magic, and proves anyone can be a hero.

YOUNG ADULT

  • The Family Outing: A Memoir, Jessi Hempel A striking and remarkable literary memoir about one family’s transformation, with almost all of them embracing their queer identities.
  • The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune
    “The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heart-swelling wave of sweetness and hope. Mild-mannered government caseworker Linus Baker is sent on a secret assignment to an island orphanage he’s never even heard of. The astonishing inhabitants he gets to know there will change his life and make him reassess everything he thought he knew. This book will leave you believing in the good in everyone — even those society has given up on — and contemplating how huge changes have to start somewhere.” 
    — Haley Stocking, Phinney Books, Seattle, WA
  • Imogen, Obviously, Becky Abertalli With humor and insight, #1 New York Times bestseller Becky Albertalli explores the nuances of sexuality, identity, and friendship in this timely new novel.
  • Loveless, Alice Oseman This is the funny, honest, messy, completely relatable story of Georgia, who doesn’t understand why she can’t crush and kiss and make out like her friends do. She’s surrounded by the narrative that dating + sex = love. It’s not until she gets to college that she discovers the A range of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum — coming to understand herself as asexual/aromantic. Disrupting the narrative that she’s been told since birth isn’t easy — there are many mistakes along the way to inviting people into a newly found articulation of an always-known part of your identity. But Georgia’s determined to get her life right, with the help of (and despite the major drama of) her friends.
  • The Magic Fish, Trung Le Nguyen In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents. But how will he find the words to tell them that he’s gay? A powerful read about family, identity and the enduring magic of stories.

Posted in Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Opportunity, Resources, Visual Arts, YAHOO | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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Book Banning

August 1, 2023

‘Best interest’

I live in a community where some individuals have requested that the school board have certain books removed from our classrooms and library book shelves. The conversation went on for months with both sides taking time to express their opinions. Some advocacy is based on fact and research while others are based on personal beliefs/choices and emotions. These conversations are similar to others going on across our state and the country. We all have opinions and lately I’ve been wondering how individuals can express their options in a way that provides a ‘point of view’, not in a way that comes across as “I am right and if you don’t agree with me, you are wrong”. Most importantly, I wonder how opinions can be expressed without negatively impacting the education of young people? After all, we know they’re watching and listening.

Every year before the July 4th parade in Whitefield, a small town located not a 30 minute drive from Augusta, an artist gathers with other artists and friends to shed light on a ‘challenging topic’ to include in the parade. Artist Natasha Mayers has been doing this for years. Some of you are familiar with the marvelous film that was made to document Natasha’s life story called Natasha Mayers: An Unstill Life. The film chronicles her life as an artist and activist. You can access the trailer and rent the entire film at THIS LINK.

Some of the many participants presenting ‘banned books’ at the Whitefield parade

For this years parade the group focused on books that have been banned and created giant books that are included on a list. They passed out more than 100 children’s books wrapped in caution tape, with bookmarks listing banned books. I’m sure many of you are familiar with some or all of these books, I’ve listed them below.

Its one thing to be aware of banned books but it’s another to express your opinion or to take action. I’ve given some thought about my beliefs and I’m reading, listening and watching. One of my summer goals is to read more of the books on banned book lists. When I participate in a conversation it will be based on my reading and my understanding through my own lens. I attended my town’s candidates forum this spring where the candidates were asked their opinions on banning books from our schools, specifically the book Queer Gender by Maia Kobabe. The two individuals who strongly opposed hadn’t read the book, one had looked at the pictures. I’ve noticed that many people who are opposed to certain books also have strong feelings about the curriculum being taught in our schools. In addition, their rhetoric includes wanting the power to make curriculum decisions. As a teacher I am totally committed to working with parents to educate the child. But I am opposed to parents making decisions for other families. Should parents be making decisions for their own children or all children? Some advocates are attempting to undermine the wisdom of teachers and educational experts who are trained to make curriculum decisions and choices about teaching and learning. I realize that not all educators are ‘experts’ and I’m not suggesting that educators make all the decisions. Policy’s and procedures are in place with curriculum committees that include teachers, administrators, and school board members to guide and make decisions on curriculum.

Handing out books to children

I’m not offering answers, only questions. My baseline question that has always guided me: what is in the best interest of all students? Some folks are saying ‘best interest’ has become murky. Well, no one said that education wasn’t messy business. It feels like we’re at a critical moment so I ask you: will you be part of the problem or part of the solution? How can arts educators use artistry to help at this moment in the history of education?

Banned books for teens and adults

FICTION, FANTASY, ETC.

  • The Bluest Eyes, Tony Morrison
  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie
  • The Call of the Wild, Jack London
  • The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
  • The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Mark Haddon
  • The DaVinci Code, Dan Brown
  • Black Boy, Richard Wright
  • Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
  • The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
  • Running with Scissors, Augusten Burroughs
  • Looking for Alaska, John Green
  • The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton
  • Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf
  • The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath

NONFICTION

  • A People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn
  • Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, Susan Kuklin
  • The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, Nikole Hannah-Jones
  • The Autobiography of Malcolm X & Alex Haley
  • Silent Spring, Rachel Carson
  • You Can’t Read This: Why Books Get Banned, Pamela Jain Dell

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

  • Maus, Art Spiegelman
  • Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi
  • March (series), John Lewis & Andrew Aydin
  • Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, Alison Bechdel
  • Queer: A Graphic History, Meg-John Barker
  • Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty, Gregory Neri & Randi DuBurke
  • Blankest, Craig Thompson
  • This One Summer, Mariko Tamaki

Banned books for children

PICTURE BOOKS

  • Donovan’s Big Day, Leslea Newman
  • It’s a Book, Lane Smith
  • The Day in June, Gayle Pitman & Kristyna Litten
  • The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats
  • In Our Mother’s House, Patricia Polacco
  • Flabby Cat and Sleepy Dog, Jeanne Willis
  • Little Red Riding Hood, Trina Schart Hyman
  • Nappy Hair, Carolina Herron
  • Goodnight Moon, Margaret Wise Brown
  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Bill Martin
  • Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story From Afghanistan, Jeanette Winter
  • The Paper Bag Princess, Robert Munsch
  • The Dumb Bunnies, Dav Pilkey
  • Strega Nona, Tomie DePaola
  • The Stupids (series), Harry Allard & James Marshall

CHAPTER BOOKS

  • The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963, Christopher Paul Curtis
  • Julie of the Wolves, Jean Craighead Goerge
  • The Giver, Lois Lowry
  • Melissa, Alex Gino
  • A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle
  • Go Ask Alice, Anonymous
  • Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White
  • The View From Saturday, E.L. Konigsburg
  • An Indigenous People’s History of the United States, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
  • Joey Pigza Loses Control, Jack Gantos

COMICS & GRAPHICS NOVELS

  • Bone (series), Jeff Smith
  • Drama, Raina Telgemeier
  • The Breakaways, Kathy G. Johnson
  • Class Act, Jerry Craft
  • They Called Us Enemy, George Takei

Posted in Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Resources, Visual Arts, VPA | Tagged , | 2 Comments »

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Opportunity for Teachers

July 25, 2023

LGBTQIA+ Interest Group

The state visual arts professional organization, Maine Art Education Association (MAEA), is offering an interest group called MAEA LGBTQIA+.

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:

  1. Continue developing a vision and mission for the group
  2. Learning for ourselves (example: the summer reading group)
  3. 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.

MMEA Pride Statement (written and adopted 2021)

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Maine Arts Journal

July 18, 2023

UMVA Quarterly

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.

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Amazing

July 11, 2023

AI

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?

Posted in Communication, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Integration, Media Arts, Music, Resources, Technology, Visual Arts, VPA | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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Summer MAEA Opportunity

May 23, 2023

Going to summer camp

REGISTRATION

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Monson Arts

May 16, 2023

Wicked visual art summer opportunity

Monson Arts is offering Maine art educators a 25% discount on its 2023 summer workshops.  Monson Arts, established by the Libra Foundation in 2018, offers residencies for artists and writers, community based programs, and summer workshops.  This year’s workshops include offerings in audio, mixed-media, painting, weaving, and writing.  There is also 24 hour studio access. For more information: https://monsonarts.org/workshops/.

Besides ample studio spaces and newly renovated accommodations, participants eat all their meals at The Quarry Restaurant.  It’s the only restaurant in Maine to be a finalist for a James Beard Foundation award this year.

Monson is the last town before the 100 Mile Wilderness of the Appalachian Trail.  A beautiful natural setting, great workshop leaders, studios, and food!  Questions?  Email information@monsonarts.org or call 207 997 2070.

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Maine Art Education Awards

May 9, 2023

Congratulations art teachers!

Each Spring the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA) presents awards to individuals who are committed to quality visual art education. Some of these educators have been in the ‘trenches’ with ‘kids’, of all ages, for many years. Others are just beginning their careers, and yet others support quality art education from a distance impacting the lives of learners. Each individual is to be commended for their contributions to the profession.

At a recent ceremony each individual was honored for their service. Below are the recipients with their ceramic awards made by Carolyn Brown.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The awardees

Iva Damon, Leavitt Area High School, Turner
Kaleigh Jones, Carl J. Lamb Elementary School, Sanford
Jessica Nadeau, Boothbay Region Elementary School
Kari McCarthy, Brunswick Junior High School
Elise Pelletier, Scarborough High School, Scarborough
RSU 40, Assistant Superintendent
Pamela Moulton, North Bridgton
Abigail Newkirk, Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville
Kate Furbish Elementary School, Brunswick

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Truths and Lies

April 25, 2023

Union of Maine Visual Artists Journal

Four times a year the Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA) publishes a journal. The UMVA is a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for the visual arts, artists, and all arts supporters. Included in each publication is a column that focuses on education called Insight/Incite. The recently released spring issue theme is Truths and Lies. The Insight/Incite column includes a piece authored by Lynda Leonas. Congratulations to Lynda who teaches K-6 visual art in Auburn Public Schools. She presently serves as the president of the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA). The title of Lynda’s piece is Re-envisioning Art Enrichment Assessments: The Policy of Gifted and Talented Programs.

You can read the piece at THIS LINK. Access the entire journal at THIS LINK. Information about becoming a member is at THIS LINK. If you’re interested in writing for the journal please email Argy Nestor at meartsed@gmail.com.

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MAEA Spring Conference

March 21, 2023

Maine Art Education Association

eARTh
​”The earth without art is just eh”

2023  Maine Art Education Association Spring Conference Retreat

Location: The Ecology School at River Farm 184 Simpson Road, Saco, Maine​

​Saturday-Sunday, April 29-30, 2023

$250.00 – one night (Saturday), 5 meals
2 people per room.

$350.00 – two nights (Friday and Saturday), 5 meals 

​2 people per room.

$175.00 – Commuter Rate (zero nights), 5 meals 

Optional linens are available at $40.00 payable to The Ecology School at the registration table.

*Must be a MAEA member to attend. ​If you are not a current member, join HERE!
​

Reciprocal membership for out-of-state art education associations.

Join us and attend in-person studio workshops in comfortable yurts!  The Conference Retreat cost includes one Saturday overnight stay with check-in on Saturday and 3 meals will be served: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Sunday includes two meals:  breakfast and lunch.  Add-ons for 1-day early check-in ($100) and linens ($40) will be offered.

Meals: Guests will be treated to farm-fresh, local, and nutritious foods during community building meals in our beautiful Dinning Commons. Coffee, tea, and fruit are always available. 
​
Lodging: During a two-day, one-night conference at The Ecology School, up to 72 guests may stay in our unique dormitory building. Rooms are doubles. There are two or three shared bathrooms per floor, floor dependent. It has been built according to the rigorous sustainability standards of the Living Building Challenge and promotes sustainable actions in everyday routines and facilitates conservation and mindfulness in community living practices.

Downtime: A 3.5-mile trail system is blazed throughout the 105-acre property, great for walking or running. 

Join in your choice of 4 studio workshops for hands-on experiences plus additional optional program elements that could include a Living Building Challenge Tour, a Field Ecology workshop, or a Food is Ecology Lab. Possibly join the Astronomical Society of Northern New England for an evening under the stars Saturday night after attending the MAEA Art Educator of the Year Awards Ceremony! Celebrate Earth Day 2023 and create art expressed through earth-conscious ways!  Experiment with Demetri Martin’s quote as you submit your studio workshop proposals or volunteer to assist workshop leading educators and/or teaching artists!

Register HERE!

Conference Schedule:

The Ecology School at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine, proudly hosts the MAEA’s 2023 Spring Conference Retreat.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY DAYTIME SCHEDULES:
7:00 AM – 8:15 AM:  Check-in, Move in,  and Registration
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM:  Morning Workshop Sessions
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM:  Lunch and The Ecology School Presentations
1:30 PM – 5:30 PM:  Afternoon Workshop Sessions
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM:  Dinner

Saturday Evening, APRIL 29TH, 2023 
AWARDS CEREMONY AND OUTDOOR PROGRAM
7:30 PM – 8:15 PM:  MAEA Art Educator of the Year Awards Ceremony
8:30 PM – 10:30 PM:  Star Gazing Format  by The Astronomical Society of Northern New England 

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: APRIL 10, 2023

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