The residents of Rolling Mill Hill were included in suggesting improvements for the Spruce Street Park in Wilkes-Barre. A concrete wall measuring 52' x 8 1/2' and a side wall measuring 11' x 8 1/2' proved a perfect place for a mural. Children, animals, nature, diversity, historical image as well as the words Rolling Mill Hill were suggested subject matter. While painting I observed the neat 10am -2pm program available for children with lunch activities and daily story hour. Overhearing Dr. Suess among other favorites was a first while painting yet one I truly enjoyed!
From the playground swing she said "why are you doing this?", I said "to make it nicer for you."
The grandfather.... I guess its true..... a picture says a thousand words..... This was commissioned by the mother of the son - perhaps a future surgeon? Time will tell.
Today I received an abundance of thank you notes from the Tunkhannock art Core group and their art teacher, Debbie Donowski. It was full circle as the theme of our residency was GRATITUDE. Boy, did this ever blow me away - and I am so grateful for the time they took to write me handwritten letters. Truly made my month! THANK YOU!!!!
My art residency ended yesterday with a great art trip with twenty three 'core group' sixth graders. We were so thankful to be welcomed with open arms at Marquis art and Frame, the Sordoni art gallery, the Wyoming Valley art league, Wet Paint and Linde Headquarters in Pittston.
My art residency ended yesterday with a great art trip with twenty three 'core group' sixth graders. We were so thankful to be welcomed with open arms at Marquis art and Frame, the Sordoni art gallery, the Wyoming Valley art league, Wet Paint and Linde Headquarters in Pittston. At Marquis we saw part of the amazing hubcap exhibition which was the brain child of Ken Marquis. At the Sordoni we saw the Syracuse Art collection of Japanese woodcuts. The gallery provided materialswe so the kids could do their own mono print. President Don Armstrong of the WVAL gave a tour of the circular building and we saw the members juried exhibiton. At Wet Paint owner Steve Taren showed us his unique building with the machines used to create tee shirts, cut out and wrapped vehicles. And lastly we were given lunch and tee shirts at lunch at Linde Headquarters in Pittston and viewed four floors of artwork which rotates three to four times a year.
Today teachers, school board members, parents and grandparents arrived at 7am to a breakfast (with the band playing) to honor the 'unveiling' of the backside of the school steps. An art core group of twenty four sixth graders diligently worked under the guidance of me,and art teachers Debbie Donowski and Krista Truesdale. This is the twenty first year the middle school has had an artist in residence thanks to the persistence and hard work of Debbie.
