In which we borrow from Arts @ Large

Some more of the good things happening for MPS teachers and students with the assistance of MPS partners at Arts @ Large. This video and the text is from the recently redesigned Arts @ Large web site at http://www.artsatlargeinc.org/




On October 9th, Arts @ Large took nearly 30 teachers and school administrators to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI. Participants toured the American Story exhibit and enjoyed a hands-on workshop with American Story artist Xenobia Bailey.

The American Story exhibit considers what it means to be an American, and explores the diversity of American culture through fifteen artists who fuse personal identity and cultural heritage in compelling and illuminating works of art. Participants had a chance to discuss the creative process with Bailey and learn about the inspirations and heritage of her work.

Originally from Seattle, Washington, and now living in Harlem, New York, Bailey brings African American roots music into visual terms with vibrant room-sized installations of crocheted mandalas, tents, and costumes. In a hands-on workshop with Bailey, Arts @ Large participants added to an on-going installation in The ARTery using a variety of materials, as well as creating their own mandalas and decorative crowns.

I cannot thank you and the A@L team enough for setting up that wonderful trip to Sheboygan, says a Teacher from Garland Elementary School in Milwaukee. After a very, very hectic week, it truly was a relaxing and reenergizing experience for a weary soul - dramatic, I know, but also true. We spend so much time nurturing our students that sometimes we forget to nurture ourselves and we dont even realize it until were forced (given an opportunity, rather) to slow down.