Everyone is thrilled to have you back, Sue. Take It Easy if it’s possible. Thanks for protecting love. And many thanks to the Army Of Good and the others who wrote cards and, even better, sent discarded objects for art. Nothing will make Sue happier. — Jon
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News from the Art Room – Expect the Unexpected.
By Sue Silverstein
Okay, so just about nothing has been simple this year. But every time I think it has been a tough year, an image of the young pregnant mother with her small child’s hand being pulled from the destruction in Myanmar after the recent earthquakes comes to mind. On the other hand, I have had many first-world problems this year.
The surgery was unexpected, and I spent a night in the ICU, but here I am to tell you about it. So many people sent beautiful letters, cards, and emails. Thank you so much. So many people helped out. I am very fortunate.
This week, I was allowed off “house arrest” and returned to doing what I love. I missed the students so much while I was out. Since a spring vacation follows this week, the doctors agreed that I could return if I took it easy.
This week was about finishing a couple of truly special projects. The kids have been working on and off all year to refinish a lovely old cedar chest donated by Rick Eckhardt. The old veneer was severely damaged, so they removed most of it and sanded the entire piece. They chose a distressed finish with light colors and hand-painted sunflowers. One of the younger students created a top cushion from donated sunflower fabrics and stuffing! The school fundraiser is this weekend, nothing like a just-in-time finish. We have discussed what a hope chest was used for initially. They love the idea of saving treasures for the future.
The 8th grade created beach wind chimes with shells, jewelry, and other treasures. The photography class had an assignment to submit a photograph entitled “What Does Love Look Like?” Senior Naila floored me with her photo of an infant in the NICU. The tiny hand! What a fantastic image. Naila has received a full scholarship to a very prestigious university next year. She will surely leave her mark on the world. She plans to be president. Now would be a good time. 
Paige has finished her latest project, and she surpasses any expectations. Her mind is a creative whirlwind. She has outdone herself. It all started with a locket she found in a donation box. We wrote a story about her sculpture; Curtis and Martha are her grandparents.
A Sculpture by Paige Moran
Sculptor Paige Moran has created this whimsical and nostalgic portrayal of lovers reunited after WW2. Found objects, hand-sculpted creations, and a great deal of imagination bring the story of Martha and Curtis to life. A life that existed circa 1944 in America.
Martha and Curtis met in high school. Curtis, the football team captain, and Martha, the beautiful cheerleader, fell in love during their first school dance. The class couple, homecoming king and queen, loved by faculty and fellow students, planned to be forever together.
The war raged on. Curtis came from a military family. His grandfather and father had both served proudly. It was a different time in America, and Curtis felt the obligation to serve the country in the footsteps of his family before him.
After graduation, Curtis enlisted and was sent overseas as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.
They decided to wait to marry until Curtis returned. Martha said a tearful goodbye at the train station, begging him one last time not to leave. She was sure her dreams of a life together would be forever gone and destroyed by a war in a land far away. She knew he’d never be satisfied with a life when he shied away from the responsibility to protect his country.
Every chance they got, Martha and Curtis exchanged letters of love. Martha covered the envelopes with lipstick kisses and the smell of her perfume. The months dragged on, and the days felt like weeks. Martha often cried herself to sleep.
Martha’s best friend, Eunice, also missed her husband, and they often leaned on each other for support. Eunice told Martha she had received word that her husband would be arriving by train on a Friday afternoon in late summer. It was one of those perfect summer days when the sky was blue with gemstones, and the soft breeze cooled the air. They arrived at the station; if truth be told, Martha was envious that it would not be her beloved Curtis getting off the train, but she was thrilled for Eunice.
The crowd of returning soldiers began to flood the station. Martha looked up and could not believe what she was seeing. There he was, her beloved, her life, her world.
Curtis dropped to one knee with the biggest bunch of roses she’d ever seen and asked for her hand in marriage. Eunice, in on the plan all along, had packed a special picnic basket for the reunited young lovers.
The work you see here is the recreation of that love-filled picnic lunch on a beautiful Spring afternoon.
Almost all of the items came from your donations. There is no way I could give these kids the freedom to create that they have without your help. They have an amazing array of items to work with: a locket, an old radio, dishware, bottles, clay, vintage clothing, and so much more.
I thank everyone who sent cards and donations in the past two weeks. I am behind in my notes, but please know how deeply I appreciate every single one of you and all you do to help my students. Next week, during the break, I promise to catch up!
The address is: NDBG 2600 Albany Street , Schenectady, New York 12304
We always seek donations for anything you feel could be made into something new! Rolled gauze, wire, glassware, canvas, art supplies, heavy foil, glue sticks, glue guns, baking tools, seashells, sea glass, bottle corks, sandpaper, and wood. I love hearing from you. My email is Sue_Silverstein@nd-bg.org.
Schenectady, New York 12304
