Not what I expected. Much, much more...

Opening Reception for "Animal Life" at Madison
and Main Gallery, March 6, 2015

Who would imagine that March Madness could refer so aptly to my current month with art?

It has been a wild ride, beginning with the opening of a new exhibit at Madison and Main Gallery, "Animal Life," March 2-April 24, in Greeley.

As you no doubt have surmised, the name implies an exhibit of animal inspired art.  I had several pieces of my "animal-ish" wood sculptures accepted. For the next exhibit, "Garden Show," I've been invited to show my abstract contemporary stick art, but for this exhibit, the "animal-ish" creatures had a chance to take the spotlight.

Oh, they were delighted!  Having to normally share the attention with pieces like "Gnarly Pass" and the ever popular "It Takes A Crooked Stick to Float A Crooked Mile," creatures like "Wild Thing" and "Cobra's Dance" finally wooed visitors to the gallery with winsome appeal and subtle humor.

Two pieces of my "antler collection" anchor the wall of animals including "Big Game" (resembling Longhorns) and
"Wild Game" (smaller, resembling antelope antlers.)  In the corner on the pedestal is "Out of the Ashes," featuring the
Phoenix rising, in this case, out of the charred driftwood.

Also that week I was invited to come and speak to the art students at Windsor High School. I enthusiastically said, "Yes!"  

And, so began my two-day, four period commitment to come and talk with combined classes of art, about 40-60 students for each 90-minute period.  I have often guest lectured on the college level and felt confident this would be great fun. And, it was--for the first 45 minutes.

I was geared for the 55-minute college class with a few minutes reserved for questions.  Note to self:  90 minutes is a really long time when students are in a darkened room looking at my website and blog in the periods just before lunch, just after lunch and the last period of the day.

Me and Mrs. Jennie Mizrahi, or "Mrs. Miz" as the art
students call her at Windsor High School.

My first class was "just" the 30 students in Mrs. Mizrahi's bookmaking class and we began with a short "found art" project in which the students were asked to select materials from the classroom that they normally would never consider.  

Then, in small groups of two or three, they put together pieces using the objects from each member.

We were finished in less than 30 minutes and each group selected a spokesman to present the finished art piece.  (Good practice since artists are always explaining their art.)

It was remarkable to see what they created and what they used to create it!!

Peacock, WHS found art project

Film, WHS found art project

My talk, which followed the art project, wasn't bad for a first attempt, but I knew I could bring it up a notch or two (or three!)  When I asked Mrs. Mizrahi, a veteran high school art teacher, for some tips she offered several suggestions for engaging students of this age group.  I was grateful for the help and had an hour to figure out how to incorporate them into my presentation before my next and last class of Day One.

This time two art classes met in the Fireside Room, a large room off of the cafeteria area.  It had a big screen to project photos from my blogs and website.  It was also really dark.  Great for seeing images on the screen more clearly.  Not so great for postponing that after lunch siesta.

I realized with forlorn resignation that I was the only thing between the students and the end of the school day.  For 45 minutes it was lively with enthusiastic attention and engagement.  For 45 minutes I was the guest speaker they were glad they heard.  We really were having fun!

And, then, the clock kept ticking.

It was the first time I ever wished I had LESS time!  I could song-and-dance my way to 60 minutes but now I was desperate and telling stories from my childhood! I showed them pictures of my work--ALL OF IT!--talked about my inspirations, my process, asked them for their impressions about EVERY piece of art I could pull up on the screen. I talked about my education and influences.  I talked about the realities of being a professional artist.  I gave examples.  I told every funny story I could drum up. I started asking them about their plans for spring break.  

Sun and Moon, WHS found art project

  
 I kept watching the big clock in the back of the room.  I swear it didn't move.  

Meanwhile, a couple of students closed their eyes, one surrendered and put his head down on the table.  A few cellphones came out.  Eye contact disappeared and I wished I could, too!  

I despaired that the 45 minutes of WONDER and ENGAGEMENT had been reduced to, "Are we done yet?"

As the final bell gratefully rang for us all, I resolved to be even MORE prepared for Day Two!

Day Two's two periods were scheduled for right after lunch and right before the last bell.  I knew I needed more visuals--show and tell visuals!  So, I packed a box of everything I could lay my hands on in my studio--including fused glass of every kind and small kidnapped driftwood sculptures.  

That certainly helped.  Got me to 55 minutes easily.  Only left 35 minutes of awkward and pleading, "Any questions at all?  Any???  About ANYTHING? Anything at all?!!!"

Well, it wasn't pretty, but I survived.  For the students, they might describe it differently, but I learned a LOT.  Like, 90 minutes is an eternity in a darkened room with a 45-minute program with an audience ruled by hormones and cellphones.  I learned that even for polite and respectful students found in this high school there is a breaking point where sleep wins--no matter what the show and tell visuals include.  I learned that there is a place for ALL teachers in Heaven--especially high school art teachers who take 90 minute periods and 16-18 year-old drama in stride and still, somehow, manage to encourage the most remarkable art to emerge.

There is a post script to this tale of learning--I spoke to the Windsor Rotary Club this week.  After my boot camp speaking experience at the high school earlier in the month, I felt my 25-minute program flowed as easily as riding a raft down the rapids.  Schwoosh!  I barely began my talk and time was up!!  I was back on firm foundation--but, cognizant of finishing in time to send them all back to work!