(I apologize for being such a slack blogger! It's been so busy and I've been pushing images on Instagram and Facebook! New blog for the new year 2017! Launching Now with a new project!)
Residency in Hope Mills, NC at Baldwin Elementary.
I asked the students participating in my visit to Ed V. Baldwin Elementary School,Hope Mills, NC what they liked about weaving. They had some wonderful answers- "patterns", "color", "relaxing thing to do", "creating" and other inspiring and fearless responses.
I love visiting schools. Sometimes I get a bit anxious meeting new teachers and I suppose that is mostly because I want the experience to be good, I want the project to be successful and I want the students to like what they do. When teachers are as engaged in the success of their students as the teachers I had the opportunity to work with here, I expect these students to grow into intelligent young adults; to be fearless, supportive, sharing, ready to make good choices and be "risk takers". That is a phrase that was used a lot as we brought a variety of non-traditional materials for students to use and they used all of them!
We wove on grids with shoelaces, plastic newspaper bags, re-purposed fabrics from clothing, sheets and towels, yarns, roving, basket reed (we dyed a little, too), beads and buttons were worked into the composition and papers. Some of the materials were from my personal collection but we had contributions from many students and their families. Students were very eager to show that "sharing is caring" and were fine putting their fabrics into the community stash where we all took sections of tshirts, leftover sewing projects an clothes that were ready to be re-purposed. 
Using the idea of a monochromatic color scheme, we worked texture as much as we could squeeze into an 8x8 square. The pieces are to be included in a spiral design that will be installed in the hallway of the school entrance. We are inspired by Native American patterns for this project and the squares are assembled into the Lumbee Pinecone Pattern, an attractive pattern that uses the Fibonacci numbering system.The Arts Council documented the project as we worked along- I like to take photos but usually I'm not the better photographer. I read that documentation is usually created by the winners in history... here is a winning documentation- an on the spot interview!
As soon as the pieces are assembled I'll post images.
There are so many reasons to support arts in schools. Some reasoning includes the opportunity for students to embrace and express their individual creativity while many support the idea of independent problem solving skills used in the students' own challenges. My best guess is both are good conclusions. The programs we have been sharing include addressing age appropriate classroom goals and give more support to the work where the classroom teachers have given instruction. We know that the more we use our knowledge skill-set the better we can develop our problem solving skills and be more creative individuals in our personal lives and in future workplaces.
(Soapbox entry begins here- scroll on past if you'd like!) As we currently have some polarizing politics, proposed budget cuts, concerns about how we look to the rest of the world, consider how we look to our most valued assets. Our children embrace the world with enthusiasm, creativity and if supported properly they radiate promise, positive energy and an intelligence that is so warming to view. They discuss and speak what they have heard- I think often they say "things" to just test it out in the world more than an actual opinion. Consider what you say and how you say it.The teachers at this school let students know they care about what they think, the importance of how you say something and behave to be a good citizen and part of a loving community. I am so glad I had the chance to meet these people.
And, as you decide how you support local, state and federal policies don't lose focus on the way things come next. The consequences of your actions and those you support. It is easy to just look for answers that you want and while a mantra for focus is a way to stay on task for goals you've set, review and perspective are important.
As a goal is a monochromatic color scheme, there are varieties of that color. There are textures in the color and there are a variety of materials that can be contributors to that color scheme and composition. (end of soapbox entry.)
If you're interested in a very tactile project Featuring Fabric please contact me and let me know! I really enjoy meeting new groups and bringing a carload of stuff to work with to create a Community Tapestry.! We received funds from the Arts Council for this project. If you need help with funding, I can possibly help find that (bit of experience there).
