So Monday started slow. We didn't do much. There was a bit of grumbling that we didn't do the Tie "Die". But, I said we had supplies to do it only once. They did pick out shirts for the actual event, and then it was simply a day of reconnection. I don't worry about these days. In fact, I expect them. I wasn't sure how may "do nothing" days there would be before they started to self-organize. Day two started slow again, but then the older boys came and propositioned me. They are interested in making money at this point, and so I told them the yard needed some work. They cleaned off the leaves on the garden, and around the fence, and that was the end of their Art Garage for the day. The girls found some nail polish and started doing their nails. We broke out a puzzle, and Melody came by to give us a hand. The old house paints were put to good use painting anything in sight. Then it was time for "school". It is so intersting that even the most reluctant students, LOVE to PLAY school when school is out. They wanted me to be the teacher and tell them what to do. I told them they should tell me what they wanted to learn. It was so foreign to them, that it will probably take awhile before we achieve this level of learning. They all organized their desks, and were waiting patiently for me to teach, so I said we would learn about the solar system. I taught them the song "Sally goes 'round the sun" then they added each of the planets at the end phase. We wrote out each planet in chalk, and then played the game all the way through to pluto. They even had a final exam where they had to name the planets in order. It was a perfect example of a free school model where the teacher is only there to be responsive to what the students are asking for. What a fun day!
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Yesterday afternoon I received a loud knock on my door, followed by many raps on my window. There were about 8 kids running around in the front yard. I opened the door and they all informed me the schools would be closed tomorrow. There was quite a bit of excitement. Corona Virus which is wreaking havoc on our global economy means no school for our children. I hate to make light of the situation, but this would have been a dream for me. Because I had just gotten out of the shower and was busy preparing dinner, I gave the group an assignment. They were to make a plan for our pre-opening week. The schedule looked reminiscent of the previous schedule. The boys created it, so of course there was no girl's lunch-in, and collage of one's favorite things had been changed to college color's. *Apostrophe's are fun!* I think they need to see what we have in the Art Garage, and we also need to do some cleaning and organinzing today. I think I will watch some hoarders to get myself prepared!
I looked outside my window this morning and saw the snow coming down. But hopping around under the large maple tree were several red-breasted robins. I knew this was just one of those snowfalls where winter is bidding us adieu. I think this is the official sign of spring for us in the midwest. Springtime means Art Garage time, and the girls have already been planning. They made the schedule without the input of the boys, and did a great job. Monday we will have Inspirational Pictures. I hope to use paints here and work on some of the basics of painting human beings. Tuesday it is Slime Time. I say, let's get it out of our system early. It will draw a few more neighborhood kids as well. Slime is always a big hit. Wednesday Azaria thought we should do something with our favorite things. I suggested a collage. Thursday the girls wanted to have a girls lunch. We will probably make some girly stuff like homemade lipgloss, or maybe even bathbombs (my personal favorite). Friday the boys will join us again with a Tie Dye session. I also hope to paint with bleach water. This gives a cool effect on black fabric. Time to visit the Salvation Army for some T-shirts! It is an exciting time to start the season. I get a little nervous. What if no one wants to participate? What if the whole thing is just a waste of time? What if I am just fooling around making messes?
I guess I just have to learn to trust. I know myself, I feel so connected to these kids and to my neighborhood. I feel goodness in the world around me when I do this, and I have hope that this goodness can continue to spread if I just have faith and let go of the fear that stops me from trusting in myself and those around me. Although there is snow falling today, and we are being inundated with fear about the Corona virus, I can see the shoots of the young plants that are working their way up from the slumbering frozen ground. I am eagerly anticipating the new life that spring always brings. It is coming close to opening week here at The Art Garage. District 150 starts their spring break March 23rd this year, so that means an early opening for us. Every nice day, the visitors have arrived, and I can see they are ready to start our new year.
I have thought considerably about making The Art Garage a non-profit. I do spend quite a bit of out of pocket expenses on this project, and it would only make logial sense to do all I can to maximize my limited funds. So I started researching the process this past week, and it doesn't look too difficult. Probably my biggest hurdle was finding collaborators. I have mostly done this on my own, with neighbors and friends stopping in and lending a hand. But to become an official non-profit, you must have a board of directors. That sounds so exciting. I thought about who shared the same ideals and vision for community and education, and I came up with Brandy. We have worked together, first as advisor of her thesis, and then on many other projects. She is truly a visionary who believes in creative self-direction in education. I reached out, and she responded YES, YES, YES! So that was easy. Next I thought of my friend Melanie. She moved here from California less than a year ago, and misses the call of the theater. She feels theater and music in her blood, and I am pretty sure she would come alive if she could share that passion. I always had a vision of The Art Garage doing student written, acted, and directed plays they could put on for the community. So I asked her yesterday, and she also said YES! I am excited to get started on this process. I wonder what this new year will bring. With some new board members giving us creative ideas, I am guessing it will be a spectacular year. It is a pretty neat coincidence that we also had the donation of a piano to The Art Garage this past week. Just more evidence of the need to include music in our activities. Look out for our next post about Opening Week! And STAY CREATIVE! |
Abigail LarrisonEducator, Scientist and Art Maker. The purpose of all life is to spread joy. What brings more joy than making art? Archives
November 2023
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