Note: Sue Silverstein is an art teacher at Bishop Gibbons High School; her program is brilliant, successful, and even radical. She is pioneering the idea of using discarded and forgotten instruments of life and transforming them into art, pulling the students off of their cell phones and into the realm of creativity. The images below are some of her inspirations – artists using discarded materials to make art. She hopes to resume this kind of work in the fall with your help. Sue’s column usually runs on Friday; she was unavailable last week, so the column is running today. Thanks for your support for this amazing program. Sue is the closest thing to a saint that I have met. – Jon Katz
Notes from the Art Room 13-Summer Edition
Summer has been so busy in the art room this year. A generous local donor dropped off many bags of sewing treasures last weekend. One thing the students, especially the younger ones, love to do is make pillows as gifts. The stuffing is a huge help!
Karen sent another box of maps. Thank you so much! I found an entire book on projects from old maps some time ago and would like to get enough to assign it to the students! If anyone has a drawer full, I will happily take them out of your hands. The projects look fun and exciting.
A group of students is working over the summer, and they have been helping me get the room ready for the new school year. The other day, I arrived with a car full of bins and boxes, which they unloaded in record time.
Some of the items from Beth and Rich Jones are jewelry Mom used to create her lovely art. I took a photo of the jars of jewelry lined up with the sun shining through. For some reason, I thought of deep-sea treasures and wondered about the special occasions and events in which those pieces were worn. I love to see the students repurpose loved items. Most things have a story, and often, we make up grand tales about the original owners and origins of the jewels.
Jane from WI sent a box containing plates she remembered using at her grandmother’s home. I am honored that good people trust us with such cherished memories. I recently found a few new China projects that will suit these perfectly.
July is a time of swirling ideas; my dining room table contains lesson plans I have been writing. My family is used to it, but the cat is annoyed. I want to keep pushing the students to do more with the vast array of beautiful things sent to us. I have an idea for painting on old blinds; I‘m building up a great collection. The idea is based on a lesson I did a while back that featured reversible images. This will be one for the advanced painting students.
Thanks to everyone who checked in last week with notes and emails. I have had many appointments recently and had to delay a few drop-off times, but hopefully, things will calm down soon. I want everyone to know how deeply I appreciate each offer of help. So do the students. Gratitude is my theme for this summer. I am so lucky to have such support behind us.
I am always looking for wood, wood scraps, hot glue sticks and glue guns, window shades and shutters, China cups and glassware, paint, canvas, wire, plaster wrap, old maps, jewelry, cake decorating equipment, and anything else you think would make something beautiful.
I appreciate the notes and emails! They make me smile daily! Most of all, I appreciate all of you!
Have a blessed week.
Sue
Sue_Silverstein
ND-BG
2600 Albany Street
Schenectady, New York 12304
Wow! These are all impressive!