The Burlington Education Foundation funded the artist residency with Bren Bataclan. Bren spent the day at BHS talking to all students, giving an art workshop to a smaller group, exhibiting his artwork in the Cambridge Street Gallery and giving away three paintings by hiding them around the school and in the community. 
The students enjoyed the talk, learning about his art and motivation and spreading smiles. 
I asked some of my students what they learned and how Bren's fits into our school wide theme: The Power of One.
Here are some of their responses:

Photo by Anika Negi, Grade 9

Special thanks to the Burlington Conservation Commission for hosting an photo and art show that features Burlington Artists and the beautiful subject of Burlington Nature.
The show will be at Grand View Farm on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 from 6-9pm. 

The following students are exhibiting in this show:
Isabelle James
​Annabel Wiley
Katelyn Murphy
Fiona Bell
Anika Negi
Jamie Thierrien
Sydney Hovasse
Kayla Baker
Maria Acash
Ryan Crowe
Martello Cesar
Lainey Gaiero
Aria Marthur
Kayla Summerville
Chloe Poles
Carlie Mattson
Thanya Weadick
Gili Cohen
Liz Gillespie

Photo by Kaitlyn Murphy, Grade 9

Snow Farm Craft Summit (High School)
Oct 27 - 28

New this year. Snow Farm, The New England Craft Program, is launching a free initiative to introduce young artists in Massachusetts to the craft school experience - learning traditional and contemporary craft in an immersive residential setting. The Craft Summit will feature workshops in glassblowing, flameworking, ceramics, metalsmithing, fiber arts, and painting/drawing. Participants will stay overnight in the Snow Farm dorms, eat in the dining hall, make art and make friends. The weekend is open to forty-eight 10th grade students who go to high school in Massachusetts.

Each high school in Massachusetts is invited to send one 10th grade students at no cost to the school. Only 48 spots are available and students will be accepted in the order they enroll. Registration is at www.snowfarm.org until October 15 or until the program is full.
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Did you know that right here in Burlington where you go to school, there are over 250 Acres of Conservation Areas? Conservation Areas and Public Parks are important – not only do they provide safe, peaceful, natural places for hiking, walking, biking, and enjoying nature they also protect the natural habitats of many insects, wild animals, trees and plants. Many of the conservation areas also have wetlands. Some of the types of wetlands in Burlington are streams, rivers, brooks, creeks, ponds, lakes, swamps, vernal pools, and marshes. Wetlands are very important, they help prevent flooding, they provided a natural habitat for wildlife and they help make sure we have clean water to drink!

The Conservation Department and the Conservation Commissioners make sure these areas stay protected and want to keep them clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Since these areas are so special, there are rule for visiting them. The rules are there so that the wetlands can stay clean and protected, and the wildlife, trees and plants can be safe and enjoyed for many years.

The Conservation Commissioners want everyone to learn to about nature, wetlands & conservation areas so they are hosting an art and photography contest to get people interested in visiting the areas, enjoying them and protecting them! Here’s where you can learn about the conservation areas in Burlington, where they are, and what the rules are for visiting them: http://www.burlington.org/community_development/conservation_areas.php

Want to participate in the Natural Burlington Art & Photography Contest?
Everyone who participates will have their artwork or photography featured at the 2018 Natural Burlington Photography & Art Exhibit at Grand View Farm on November 6th from 6-9pm.
There are three ways you can participate:

1. POSTER: Make a small (no larger than 11x14) poster about Protecting Conservation Areas. The poster can either list the conservation areas rules or focus on just one (example: No Littering), or it could simply explain why they are important. Use words, drawings, colors, any artistic medium is acceptable.  Be creative and have fun. You can make the poster on your own or with up to 3 other friends.
2. ORIGINAL ARTWORK: Draw, paint, color, sketch a landscape, autumn foliage, trees, wildlife or anything you see or may find in a Burlington Conservation Area. (example: A painting of a wetland, colored pencil sketch of a tree, or drawing of a squirrel or other wildlife you would find here is acceptable, a painting of mountains or sketch of your pet – would not be accepted. We love mountains and pets too, but this contest is really focusing on wildlife and nature in Burlington)
3. PHOTOGRAPHY: Anyone aged 8+ can participate in the photo contest. The specific rules and entry requirements are found on our website: http://burlington.photos

Posters & Original Artwork must be submitted no later than November 1st and must contain (written on the back or on an attached sheet of paper) the following information:
Name(s)
Age/Grade:
School:
Contact Information (parent/guardian email preferred):
For original artwork please include the Title/Name and a brief description of your piece.

We look forward to seeing all your submissions and seeing you, your family and friends at the Natural Burlington Art & Photography Show! Get outside, explore, have fun and get creative! 😊

Artist Bren Bataclan who makes happy, bright vibrant works of art. He also spreads kindness by giving away free art! Check his TEDx Talk and interview! It will make you smile!

Thanks to a grant from the Burlington Education Foundation Bren will will be here at BHS on Wednesday September 26th (times listed below) to meet and talk with all of our students.

Bren was born in the Philippines and moved to the US with his family in 1981.  He was 12 when they arrived to settle in Daly City, a section of San Francisco with a large Fillippino population.  

Bataclan's artistic goal is to make people smile.  One way he achieves this goal is that he gives some of his paintings away.  His paintings have reached people everywhere from Austria to Uganda, from Aruba to Wales.  

What started as a street project 15 years ago has grown into Bren having given away close to 3,000 paintings in 70 countries as he continues to spread his message of kindness.  When he gives away his paintings, there is a note asking people to 'smile at random people more often. It is this message we hope to share with students and staff at BHS on September 25th and beyond.

Bren's message fits perfectly into the  BSmart Programming message this year of 
Your Voice, Your Choice, Choose to be Nice.  You can read more about Bren here:  Bren Bataclan wants to make you smile.

Wednesday, September 25
Day 6 Long 1

Period 7    9:30-10: 14 am 
Grades 11-12

Period 1    10:17-11:32 am
Grades 9-10
Talk for one hour 

Period 3-5       Art Workshop 
12:47-3:05pm

Are you a high school or undergraduate student thinking about a career in architecture, interior design, or landscape design? If so, explore the possibilities at the BSA Architecture/Design College Fair.
Representatives from colleges and universities will be on hand at the BSA's Architecture/Design College Fair to answer questions about portfolios, admissions, scholarships, curricula, and more. Learn what it takes to succeed—attend free workshops.
Applicants for graduate schools are welcome.
In addition to the college marketplace, you'll find information sessions for design-focused students. Hear the inside story from the keynote speaker, who will describe pathways towards the profession as well as from a panel of professionals who will present the rewards and benefits of an architecture education.
Schools looking to register, learn more here.
RSVP

The 9/11 Memorial honors the sad day of loss in our country. Artists, architects and designers used their talents to create a memorial that honors the horrible events on 9/11.
Here is video of architect Michael Arad discussing the memorial.

Here is video of one of the artists discussing the lighting installation created that will be on this evening.

This display, known as Tribute in Light®, appears as twin shafts filling the void of where the World Trade Center twin towers previously stood in lower Manhattan. The memorial plaza will be open on Sept. 11 to the general public for the first time since the attacks, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, for anyone who wants a closer look at this feat of illumination. Tribute in Light® has become known throughout the world as an example of the healing power of art as people remember and revisit the 9/11 Memorial.

After 9/11, several individuals came up with the idea of two beams of light rising above the skyline of New York. These artists, lighting designers and architects collaborated as part of the effort to promote unity during the massive rescue and recovery that was underway. The team received a grant from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and additional assistance by Con Edison, New York’s utility company. Six months after 9/11, the lighting tribute was presented for the first time on March 11, 2002. It was produced by the Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS), founded in 1893 to preserve landmarks and public spaces, and Creative Time, an organization that commissions public art.
Read more at http://guardianlv.com/2014/09/tribute-in-light-healing-art-911-memorial/#4kIgTZAK9xZIPx2Z.99

The 9/11 Memorial created the Artist Registry. This is a database of professional and novice artists who created of works of art in response to 9/11. It is a wonderful collection of art from around the world and a great way to see how others express there feelings and emotions through art.

Read more about the Sumi Ink Club HERE
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The Middle School Art Camp filled up so fast that I was able to offer a second week of art fun! We had another great group of students in grades 6-8 join us. The young artists created collages, paintings, drawings, and explored lots of their own ideas through a choice based art area. We also sprinkled in some games and play time too! And most importantly the students made some new friendships and now know even more students entering the middle school. Here are some great pictures from our week.

And special thanks to Sophia Lupo and Anthony Squillini who were our fantastic camp counselors!

Educators from all disciplines had the opportunity to explore their inner artist for a four day workshop. They had the chance to draw, paint, sketch and collage. They each explored a variety of ideas, concepts and materials. Some educators were new to the course and many were repeats. Check out their great work and see what that had to say about the experience.

Here are some of the Take Aways from the educators:

​-Make time to be creative
-Working with others to get feedback is very helpful
-Process over product
-Take a risk
-Revise and Revisit
-Enjoyable, Relaxing, Inspiring
-One is never to old to be an artist
-Incorporate more art opportunities into your life

I also asked the educators to share how this workshop will impact their teaching practice and this is what they shared:

Remind students that everyone has different abilities. Be non-judgmental and find the positive in everyones work

It is important to be patient- the process of teaching requires the patience to allow the student to learn the steps and move ahead as they master eash step

Through my own experience taking this workshop, I can model what it is like to overcome your fear if trying something new or something you don't already know you're good at

I'd love to incorporate an art corner in my classroom for more creative activities in my classroom.