What is lost along the way I’ve been working with a committee from my town of Union to plan the Sestercentennial – 250 years since it’s founding in 1774. We’re going to kick off the celebration this July and throughout the year we’ll have events that will culminate during a three day weekend, July 19-21. I’ve never been a big history buff but I love hearing stories from the past. Those of you who know me know that I love to get people together and celebrate so this is a chance for me to give back to the town that’s been so good to me since my husband and I moved here in 1980. One of the highli ..read more

Going to summer camp REGISTRATION ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 Educatio ..read more

Resources, resources, resources In the fall of 2022 over 100 Maine educators attended the conference Teaching Truth, Hope, and Creativity: How the Arts Can Deepen Any Curriculum, held at Thomas College. Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) took the lead with many organizations and individuals supporting the conference. It was one of those days that was ‘over the top’ filled with learning, collaboration, and inspiration. The conference day was very meaningful and continues to plant ideas. As a follow up the AWTT Education Director Connie Carter along with artist Rob Shetterly have gathered reso ..read more

Poem by manuel arturo abreu As I said in my first blog post in April every morning I receive an email from Poem-a-Day put out by the Academy of American Poets. It’s a way to stretch my thinking in a different direction, reading poetry written by artists from varying backgrounds. I can read them or listen to them. I prefer listening since they’re often recited by the poet. On some days listening helps me center myself for the day ahead. Some poems are calming, others sad and some challenge my thinking. I found this one fascinating and I learned what Klangfarbenmelodie means. Klangfarbenmelodie ..read more

Hawaii – Aloha! My word for this Spring is flexibility. I am fortunate to have the flexibility to make a schedule that is all but perfect for me. (And, I am reminded periodically, nothing is ‘perfect’). The trip I recently returned from was amazing and part of it is due to the flexibility I presently have in my life. This blog post contains my ‘story’ accompanied by photos which is about my learning adventure in Hawaii on the islands of Kauai and the Big Island – Hawaii. It’s quite lengthy but I’ve learned no sense in telling only part of a story. I learned something every day on our adventure ..read more

All-State Conference-May 18 and 19, 2023 CLICK HERE for registration and for more information ..read more

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 at ..read more