I am proud to announce that Sue Silverstein has won the highest teaching award given by the Catholic Church.  Announcement to come. Nobody ever deserved recognition more, and those of you who know her and support her realize. Thanks for sending her the fabrics, art supplies, clothes, and discards. She has a magic wand and turns them into art, stirring the imaginations of young minds. Thanks for supporting her, and please keep it coming. These are tricky times, and she uses and needs everything she gets. Jon K.

News from the Art Room – Back in Business

We all wait for vacations; the weeks before are super busy and sometimes exhausting. Some students and teachers both countdown the days. For some, school is their safe space. There is food, a friend, warm clothing, and a hug. Some count the days until break ends. I love to see the students return after a break; they are tired (from being off schedule) but happy to be back. Many were eager to show me art they had created over the vacation in their sketchbooks—lots of stories to tell about both good and not-so-good happenings while they were away.

It has been terribly cold and very windy all week. I have been giving out blankets and warm clothes all week. Thank you all for the help that allows me to do that. It makes a difference in kids’ lives, as do the snacks you sent. Today, we discussed California’s devastation and realized how blessed we are. We hold all those impacted in our hearts as they navigate these tragic losses.

I have been talking about our fundraiser for world hunger at the end of the month. A creativity-centered event includes a bake sale, competition, raffle, and food art sale/display. It is a great cause. The students make food and art desserts for display and sale during the event. Note to self for the future: when it is cold and scorched, small foam pieces are filled with static electricity that turns students into snowmen. I looked at the backs of the 7th graders the other day as they were getting ready to go, and I had to grab the hand vacuum before I let them out. There is a first time for everything.

It has been a fantastic week, though. The students are all knee-deep in artwork, and I love to watch them fly. Paige (my sculptor) is already working on a new creation using some of the latest items over the past weeks. If you would like a hint, we ordered 50 tiny plastic ants yesterday to add to the picnic landscape. Her skills are growing exponentially, and she loves to add humor to her work. Stay tuned.

A couple of the studio art students have accepted my challenge this week and are working on wire sculptures of the human figure that will be very impressive if they work out as planned. The further we get into each class, the gentle nudges to dig deeper become a little more frequent. It is like a badge of honor. “You gave that extra project to so and so, can I have it?” Of course, the answer is always yes, as that was the plan all along!

Some of the things that arrived this week were so interesting. Jan from Illinois sent some great stone-based fiber art that we must try soon! Thanks, Jan!

Kathleen sent a double prize box full of half art and half baking supplies.

She also sent a second box containing brand-new art supplies for the students, which she purchased with a gift she had received. Thank you, Kathy!

I emailed another Kathy that the bust of Chopin led to an intense fight over who got to use it in their latest work! Thanks for the stuffing, too!

The Karen New Year Celebration is this weekend in Albany. I look forward to it every year. The culture is lovely, and the food is fantastic. I also catch up with the refugee kids who have grown up, graduated, married, worked, had babies, and so much more. I love this day. I love that they still text the invitation every year. It is pretty special, and I will take lots of pictures.

We will begin a new course on the art and photography of food at the end of January. If you have unused baking tools, I would happily use them. We plan to do some baking, food decorating, food art, and photography. Since this is a new course, I would love to hear any suggestions that have worked for others.

We are looking for baking supplies if you have anything you no longer use. We always seek donations for anything you feel could be made into something new! We are looking for rolled gauze, wire, glassware, canvas, art supplies, heavy foil, pinecones, glue sticks, baking tools, seashells, sea glass, bottle corks, sandpaper, and wood. I love hearing from you. My email is [email protected]. 

Have a blessed day! Happy New Year!

Sue

ND-BG

2600 Albany Street

Schenectady, New York 12304