Caryl's Art Ed Spot

2012-01-07T09:19:00.001-05:00

Now, it is easier than ever to book a residency Young Audiences of Maryland is now my exclusive rep for MD school programs.
yamd.org

2012-01-06T20:42:00.000-05:00

This past Fall I had the opportunity to give a 4 minute presentation on the work that I do in the schools with young people. Don't laugh when you see me trying to see what slides are on the screen as I speak. lol!I am happy to answer any questions or comments that you may have.

Art as a Tool for Community Building audio

2011-07-20T21:19:00.001-04:00

Greetings friends,
I was a panelist at this conference representing our DMUUC Green Sanctuary Committee. I was the “and many more”. We were asked to speak about art as a tool for community building around greening our church community. Here is an audio of my presentation.

SSun, 7/17: Greening our Sanctuaries: An Interfaith Workshop and Expo

2011-07-14T21:36:00.000-04:00

I will be participating on the -2 PM: Workshop on Going Green in Our Congregations
Come-Support-Learn

On Sunday, July 17, 1:30-5 pm at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation

Discover the latest, most effective methods, techniques, and approaches for operating our sacred spaces in ways that fully reflect our values:

-1:30 PM: Tours of Adat Shalom’s Vegetable Garden & 44-Kilowatt Rooftop Solar System
-2 PM: Workshops on Going Green in Our Congregations
-4 PM: Connect with vendors and organizations in our Green Resources Expo Hall

Learn how to:
Start a Green Team — Save Energy — Go Solar — Shift to Greener Groundskeeping — Commit to Greener Procurement

Goodnow Garden Totem Project

2011-06-04T21:58:00.001-04:00

This is an awesome project! I was invited to a 6 day residency by Amy Macht (The Macht Foundation) and Gloria Jenkins from the Goodnow Community Center in Baltimore. I have worked with them before to create Good Character Banners, Ancestor Masks and even a fiberglass Baltimore Crab sculpture with the young people who come to them for after school activities.

When I arrived at the center for a planning meeting, I saw the new community garden that they had created last Summer. I immediately envisioned the totems in my mind's eye! I was told that their neighborhood has new residents who are refugees from Bhuton and the Congo. The fact is that they had requested the opportunity to grow food on some unused land at the center. Out of this sprung a Community Garden.

Six workshops later, our participants had reviewed totem history in the Americas as well as abroad to inspire them. The created shapes and sketches for each piece on the poles. They then painted their shapes which were assembled onto the poles to bring the energy of growth, partnership and sustainability to their own garden.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Great Weekend MLK Project at Ann Marie Garden

2011-01-19T22:08:00.001-05:00

Click here to view slideshow

The Lab School CROWNS Workshop, Charm City

2010-04-23T10:25:00.000-04:00

Finally Prince Georges County Artists Network

2010-03-31T20:40:00.000-04:00

I attended an interesting meeting today at the Gateway Arts Center located at 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood, MD. The Network, organized by the Prince George’s County Arts Council. Organizing around supporting art and arts orgs, art education and community outreach.

Interested in getting involved? Contact the arts council.

http://princegeorgesartscouncil.org/

Dick Blick's green packaging

2010-03-26T22:38:00.000-04:00

I suppose this Dick Blick packaging is a bit better than last year's showing.

Actually the only difference is that the bubble stuff is made from recycled plastic.

I can't help but think that there has to be a better way. I am continuously working to develop new projects that are made entirely from recycled materials. I really miss my East Bay Depot!

http://www.creativereuse.org/

YOU ARE INVITED!

2010-03-11T12:45:00.001-05:00

This is your opportunity to support a great art education non profit. I'll be there, come make a fabulous TOP HAT with me!

yamd.org

Collaboration

2010-03-09T08:38:00.001-05:00

Within each residency, students achieve success as individual artists as well as in collaboration with fellow students.

Resident Artist and Art Specialist Debbie Healy at Moravia Park ES

2010-03-06T21:45:00.002-05:00

Charles Drew ES Character Banners 2009

2010-03-05T19:43:00.003-05:00

2010-03-05T14:43:00.001-05:00

2009 Character Banner Project, Charles Drew ES in Silver Spring MD

2010-03-04T17:45:00.012-05:00

Caryl Henry Alexander and Jesse Alexander present:

2010-01-24T15:32:00.002-05:00

The goal is to glaze and fire what makes it through the first fire.

2009-12-17T15:42:00.003-05:00

The mask making project in Baltimore has been challenging on several levels. The flu has made the attendance of the students spotty and the teacher was out for a week. The clay over dried in that time and most of the pieces cracked. The ones that did not crack, broke on the way from the shelf to the kiln.
We fired what survived on Wednesday......haven't heard from the teacher yet! The goal is to glaze and fire what makes it through the first fire.

Baltimore Ceramic Mask Making Residency

2009-11-10T12:58:00.012-05:00

This is definately an exciting opportunity. I am working with an awesome art teacher and students to create "self portrait" masks. I have 4 days with the students, day 1 we worked with clay to cast faces, day two we shared a cool presentation on mask history and current uses from all over the world. We then created unique surface designs for our masks. Here are some pics from the first two of four workshops.

Day of the Dead Workshop Registration Deadline November 4!

2009-11-01T22:37:00.002-05:00

Day of the Dead Workshop Filling Up! Register NOW!

2009-10-13T13:35:00.000-04:00

VIVA Mission Cultural Center! My first Day of the Dead

2009-09-24T12:13:00.005-04:00

The Mission Cultural Center in San Fransisco CA is the place where I was first exposed to the Day of the Dead.
http://www.missionculturalcenter.org/

I was invited in 1986 to participate in an exhibition that was called "Rooms for the Dead". Each of 25 artists were invited to create an artwork inspired by the traditional Dia de los Muertos alters.
I see on their website that this has become a tradition at the center.
http://www.missionculturalcenter.org/call-to-artists.html

Fact about Day of the Dead

2009-09-24T11:11:00.007-04:00

Day of the Dead Dia de Muertos
Common Misconceptions About

The Day of the Dead Celebration

by May Herz

It is not the Mexican version of Halloween. Mexicans have celebrated the Day of the Dead since the year 1800 B.C.

It is not scary or morbid. There are no images of dead people, ghosts, witches, or the devil.

It is not a cult. This ritual has nothing to do with cults. It is a Catholic Christian ritual intermixed with folk culture. Going to mass is an essential aspect of this celebration.

It doesn’t honor death, but our dead relatives. We welcome the opportunity to reflect upon our lives, our heritage, our ancestors and the meaning and purpose of our own existence.

Altars or ofrendas are not for worshiping but for offering our love and remembering our departed family members.

It is not a sad ritual. It’s a day of happiness because we will be remembering our loved ones. Although when in the graveyard, people assume an introspective attitude.

It is about Love not Fear.
It is not a “strange” ritual. It is very similar to going to a grave and leaving flowers or stuffed animals, lighting a candle to remember the deceased.

It is not a careless or fearless confrontation of death.
It is a moment to reflect upon one’s life and the cycle of life and death.

Here is a great website about The Day of the Dead!

2009-09-21T22:26:00.003-04:00

http://www.dayofthedead.com/
Check it out and get fired up for our November 7th workshop!

D

2009-09-21T22:24:00.000-04:00

Day of the Dead

2009-09-15T16:14:00.007-04:00

A Hands on Visual Art Workshop
Offered by,
Caryl Henry Alexander

Saturday, November 7, 2009
10am-1pm $35.00 per student
To register:
caryl@bigbangbanners.com

Tell all your people! Thnx!

2009-09-11T22:51:00.000-04:00

Pathways Ancestor Mask Project

2009-08-05T22:33:00.002-04:00

Chesapeake Bay Mural Project, Pasadena ES, MD

2009-08-05T15:08:00.001-04:00

blick's commitment to being green

2009-05-27T22:41:00.003-04:00

While shopping on Dick Blick's site this evening I came across a page called "blick's commitment to being green" I had to laugh! Take a look at the last shipment of supplies that I received from them!

Kudos to the Montgomery County Skilled Craftspeople!

2009-05-14T06:36:00.005-04:00

A great crew of four craftspeople from Montgomery County's Department of Education installed the banners at Rosemary Hill. What a great experience to have their support on the project. Thank you!

Rosemary Hill Banner Project Dedication

2009-05-14T05:50:00.010-04:00

Miranda Bradley, Art Specialist, RHES

Wake county arts council article

2009-04-17T23:12:00.001-04:00

WOW! I found this on Google! This is a great project that I am totally proud of. Check it out!
http://www.unitedarts.org/news/archive/news-2006-03-13_1.shtml

Receive email alerts when there are new posts!

2009-04-02T20:52:00.002-04:00

Healthy Lifestyles Banner Project PICS!

2009-03-30T22:36:00.011-04:00

Art that's good for the heart

2009-03-29T21:19:00.003-04:00

http://www.gazette.net/stories/03252009/silvnew184240_32481.shtml

Greetings Art Ed Spot fans! I want to share with you this article about my most recent MSAC AIE project. It was an awesome experience working with the Rosemary Hills school community. Kudos to the PTA and their amazing corps of volunteers. Thanks to all 2nd grade faculty and students for all their creativity and cooperation.
Pics to follow shortly.

MSAC Arts in Education Selection Conference 2009

2009-02-25T21:11:00.007-05:00

Today I attended the annual MSAC Arts in Education Selection Conference. This year it was held again at the Howard County Arts Council in Ellicott City. The conference is held to give schools and artists a chance to network and plan for the upcoming AIE grant cycle.

I was surprised to see handful of schools that were represented. In fact the whole event was pretty well empty in relationship to past year's events. Usually I have 15-20 new contacts when I leave the place and today, 5 new folks!

It was also good to meet the new MSAC AIE program director, a writer whose name is Christina Stewart. Thanks for the pic Chris! After she welcomed everyone to the conference, she announced that there have been a few changes to the program for next year. Most amazing, is the fact that all artists now MUST have a certificate of insurance on file at the MSAC office proving that we carry liability coverage of 1 million dollars.

I love these unfunded mandates. I remember when the Bush administration passed nclb and the schools were crying about this sort of thing. Now they are doing the same to the artists who offer residencies in the communities.

Chesapeake Bay Life Banner Project

2009-02-10T18:34:00.008-05:00

This 3rd and 4th grade banner project was created by integrating fourth grade Chesapeake Bay science curriculum and MD fine arts content standards.

Our focus was to identify the key components to a healthy bay, it’s floor, water and watershed. Together we identified important organisms that live in the bay’s environment and created drawings and paintings to represent them. The mural came together as a powerful depiction of the interdependence of all who live in Chesapeake Bay watershed.

More than 120 students, faculty, staff and PTA volunteers collaborated on the 14ft x 12ft artwork’s concept, design and painting.

The project is supported by

and the Fairland EC PTA

ACTION ALERT

2009-01-27T20:18:00.003-05:00

Friends, Have you have been hearing the inflammatory conversation on the impacts of the arts in our communities? What planet are these guys on? Look around, the arts bring economic benefits to ALL of our towns and cities.

Preaching to the choir? Please take a moment to support the funding proposed in President Obama's stimulus package for the National Endowment for the arts.
CLICK BELOW to share your opinion with your representatives.

http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=12426636&type=CO

In my professional life the NEA is the org that gets the big bucks and re-grants to the states and counties and orgs. It is crucial to the livelihood of today's working artists. Especially those who focus on education and building communities!
Thanks for the support

Summer Workshop Schedule is begining to shape up!

2009-01-26T19:55:00.002-05:00

This Summer 2009, I will again be working with young artists in Howard county at HOCO arts! For the last four years I have had a blast with the totally creative students at the center. I am offering two one week workshops in August. Some pics from last Summer's artwork.

Check out the schedule on their website.
http://www.hocoarts.org/summer_camps.php

2008 a Year of Great People and Projects

2008-12-14T18:33:00.006-05:00

2008 Maryland Art Education Association Conference

2008-10-19T22:17:00.021-04:00

Howard County art teachers create their “Personal Place of Piece” for their classrooms during an “Outside The Box” workshop, Spring 08.

This past Friday, October 17, I attended the Maryland Art Education Association Conference at Bates Middle School, in Annapolis. The event was well attended by Maryland's art education professionals. I met a lot of new and interesting people in the cafeteria in between sessions.

Teachers showed great interest in the work that I do with young people and my “Outside The Box” professional development workshops.

There were lots of requests for more information about my Ancestor mask, Paper making/handmade books, Murals and Recycle art projects!

Thank you for your interest! Lets continue our conversation and create an awesome residency for your school community. I can be contacted directly at: Or through
The Maryland State Arts Council msac.org
And
Young Audiences Arts of Learning yamd.org
I was volunteering at Young Audience's table with Pat Cruz. The real fun began when Pat brought out her T-shirts!

The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County

2008-10-15T21:55:00.007-04:00

Check this out! I just found it on a google search of my name! This was a great project that is very adaptable to most school and community environments.

"The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County has spearheaded an unusual project designed to build community spirit among students at the DuBois Center and Forest Pines Elementary School in Wake Forest, NC. The innovative visual arts project is designed to build a sense of pride among students, to demonstrate multiple groups working together toward a common goal and to begin a common heritage as the center grows toward its renewed purpose. "Cut from the Same Cloth" is an arts education residency featuring Maryland artist Caryl Henry-Alexander."

http://www.unitedarts.org/news/archive/news-2006-03-13_1.shtml

NEA report Artists in the Workforce: 1990-2005.

2008-09-07T10:22:00.003-04:00

Artists in the Workforce: 1990-2005.
Artists in the Workforce: 1990-2005 is the first nationwide look at artists' demographic and employment patterns in the 21st century. Artists in the Workforce analyzes working artist trends, gathering new statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau to provide a comprehensive overview of this workforce segment and its maturation over the past 30 years, along with detailed information on specific artist occupations.

I want to share this information with everyone. It came out in June 2008 and has great information about our communities.
http://www.nea.gov/research/ResearchReports_chrono.html

I encourage your feedback and ideas for action!

Successful Self Portrait Masks@2008 HOCO Summer Art Camp

2008-08-22T17:00:00.013-04:00

This SELF PORTRAIT MASK Project provided great opportunities for 4th and 5th grade students to explore developing concepts, sculpture, design, drawing and painting. Each artist created an artwork that is representative of a part of their own self image. Every student had 15 hours to develop and realize the artwork.

Copyright Caryl Henry Alexander 8-20-2008
You are welcome to use the ideas and images with attribution.