New Weavers in the Neighborhood!

 Arts in Education

Invest in Community, Support our Schools, Be the Change

Tomorrow I will begin an artist residency at Jefferson Middle  School in Winston-Salem, NC. I haven't visited this school yet but I'm counting on my running rhythm of working in friendly classes with brave and daring students and teachers who make all of these residencies happen.

For this project, I wrote a grant proposal for the Wells Fargo Arts in Education Grant and submitted it to the Arts Council of Winston Salem/Forsyth County. And waited- its a juried application process. And Huzzah! we got funding! 

I've been collecting tapestry looms, tools, yarns, ideas and other bits to share with the students. I think it is going to be a great residency- we can discuss the Bayeux Tapestry, Annie Albers, so many cultures that use textiles as art and expression.

Residencies are something I really look forward to, meeting new enthusiastic artists and hopefully sharing something interesting that someone I met earlier on my timeline shared with me. I never know what experience I've had will fit into a future place- this is no exception.

When you get a chance, support the community, invest in the schools. Thanks!

 Enormous "Thank You"s

Artist Support Grant

So glad to be receiving funds for new equipment! 

In all of the classes where I am the instructor, I rise to the soapbox and let everyone know EXACTLY how important your body is in being an artist. Having supplies is wonderful, having tools that give you more expression are so very helpful and taking care of yourself is how those bits are used to make the art you want to make.

When I wrote this grant application, I had somehow crunched my upper arm and that pain was keeping me from painting, from winding off threads and weaving (and sleeping, too). Things needed to change so I could stop beginning projects that I wasn't finishing, watching them neglected and truly getting a big fat sad on.

I went to a symposium on Art and Wellness, listened to things I knew  were tru and I had said in classes to other people, and realized this whole situation could change. Just like one and two, physical therapy helps a lot and the funds from the Artist Support Grant will help me purchase a horizontal warping mill, keeping my arm from being any kind of excuse for winding threads.

Or painting large.

And gardening.

and sleeping.

Thank you Stokes County Arts Council and the NC Arts Council for the funds- your support means so much.