Artist in Residence Perks: #2

Making kids happier through giving them an opportunity to paint.

Today I worked at Willagillespie Elementary. All 4th and 5th graders and I are still working on our math/science/space/time - themed mural in their hallway.  

One kid told me when it was her turn to paint, "This is probably the best day of my whole life."

Another kid told me when it was his turn to paint, "I've been waiting all tuesday and all yesterday for it to be my turn!"

There is nothing better than that. Better than money or fame I think, THIS is what feels good. These kids are getting less and less art in their schools, as there are more and more days of testing and test-preparation. Budget cuts have eliminated many art, music and drama teachers (physical education teachers too).  It's so sad to meet kids who have as difficult a time holding a paintbrush as some of my students in Madagascar did.  Aren't we supposed to be one of, if not THE most advanced country in the world? And our kids are getting cheated. It makes me feel good to know that organizations like mine, Lane Arts Council exists. I'm on a roster of a number of artists who are available to come to schools for 2-6 weeks at a time and work with kids. There are salsa dancers, glass artists, guitar players and me, and more! Until the system changes, at least this is a start. 

Artist in Residence Perks: #1

Getting to listen into kids' conversations with each other. 

I usually pull about 4 kids into the hallway to paint on the mural at a time, then we rotate groups about every 15 minutes so everyone gets a turn. Once I get paint and paintbrushes in their little hands and get them going on a spot to paint, I shut up and just listen.  I'm often amazed, grossed out and/or totally amused by what I can hear sometimes. For example, the following conversation by a few of my 4th graders today:"Have you seen that show, 'My Strange Addiction'?"

"Yeah. Did you see the one about the lady who has to sleep with a hairdryer in her bed, turned on?" 

"There's lots of crazy people in the world."

"Yeah. Most of them live in San Francisco."

New School Mural Project!

Last month, I completed two murals with the kids at Willagillespie Elementary school in Eugene.  Those were in the K/1 grades hallway, and the 2/3 grades hallway.  They asked me to come back and do a residency for their 4/5 hallway this month! Each hallway in the school has a famous scientist as it's theme:

• K/1 Hallway: "Audobon's Aerie" 

• 2/3 Hallway: "Coustau's Cove"

• 4/5 Hallway: "Banneker's Bend"

Here is the sketch for "Banneker's Bend":

                                        

Benjamin Banneker was an African American scientist living in the 1700's. He got famous for his contributions to some almanacs, for his skills as a mathematician and astronomer and also for carving an entire working clock out of wood. Interesting sounding guy. So there was a lot to work with here, in terms of imagery. I decided to do just a big mash-up of images for this one: books, rocket ship, clock parts, cosmos, etc. 

Excited for this one! I'll keep you guys updated on the project's progress. 

Stars and Rocket Ships,

Corie