Turning Around America

Beth Ireland who had shared a day with us at ESSA in April is now in Philadelphia to do a residency at the Turning Center. The van has been taken over by her partner Jenn, for more days on the road and more students started on woodturning. At this point, Beth had logged 21,000 miles, hit 32 states, and taught 2084 students in schools, clubs and campsites. Turning Around America journeys on. Beth states:

I constantly receive e-mails from parents of kids telling me of the impact my one day at their child’s school has had on them. I have also had wonderful letters from the kids and adults students as well. I am constantly aware that I could never have achieved this successes if there were not people supporting and believing in my and Jenn’s vision. The generosity extended to Turning Around America has been incredible, from friends and strangers who have donated money, gift cards, time and energy, to complete strangers who invited me into their driveways and homes for food, showers and camaraderie.

the photo above is of our own Sabina Miller, testing her freshly made whistle in April, 2011.

turning around America

Beth Ireland and Turning Around America spent the day at the Eureka Springs School of the Arts. We had refreshments, hot dogs for lunch, and students had the opportunity to make whistles and turned pens. Members of a local turning club came to support Beth in her efforts. You can see some of the process in the photos at left and below.

It was of course most interesting to see a full woodworking shop carried in the back of a van, leaving enough room for sleeping, book making and Beth's life on the road. Many thanks to those who participated and donated money to assist Beth in her travels and aspirations to teach as many kids as she can in one year to make something useful and beautiful with their own hands.

Arts Calendar

This year, ESSA offers a calendar featuring some of our best instructors just in time for the holiday season. You can buy them by calling 479-253-5384 and ask for Patt or Sabina. The cost is $10.00 plus $1.50 shipping and handling, or you can also buy them at a number of locations in Eureka Springs. The cover photo is a basket by nationally known artist Leon Neihues.

Archimedes

It is said that Archimedes in lowering himself into the bath discovered that he could measure his own displacement by measuring the volume of water that spilled from the sides of the tub. Upon that discovery, Archimedes ran naked through the streets of Athens proclaiming Eureka! meaning "I have found it!" Can you imagine learning something so profound as to lose all inhibition in sharing it with others? Here in Eureka Springs, we try not to run naked in the streets. But this is a place in which discovery springs forth from the human heart.

Eureka Springs, noted as one of the top 25 small arts communities is home to hundreds of artists and ESSA, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts was created by artists to offer a means through which others might become invested with our shared creative spirit.

We are now in the process of planning for next summer's classes. Please join us and check back for updates. Our next classes will be announced at esartschool.org

brain, hands and the arts!

It has been a busy summer at ESSA with kids arts, and adult classes in a variety of subjects ranging from jewelry making to water color. We added a new opportunity this season, a special class for teachers concerning how to create classroom learning activities compatible with what we have been learning about the brain.

Schools, like most of modern life, have become left-brain dominant, and it seems that the arts, physical education and music are the keys to reintegration of left and right brains, restoring balance to the whole child. While this might seem to be a "no-brainer", there is actually a huge amount of evidence to prove the concept, and we are poised on the edge of an educational revolution, provided we can shake the common mindset and embrace what brain science has told us about how we learn. You can read more about the brain, hands and the arts class at Doug Stowe's blog, Wisdom of the Hands.

The class was taught by Dr. Peggy Kjelgaard, ESSA director, and Doug Stowe, woodworking teacher at Clear Spring School This was our first attempt at teaching a subject that balanced both academic and "hands-on" learning and you can see from the images above that we did our homework.

Kresse in action!

ESSA experienced a fantastic kick-off to its 2010 season with instructor, Kevin Kresse and six amazing artists/students. The class started with a getting-to-know-each-other dinner at the New Dehli Restaurant on Main (Eureka Springs) Thursday evening. Friday morning, six anxious students and one incredible instructor filled ESSA's painting studio. The action began immediately.

The portrait class focused on capturing the personality of the model perched in front of them. The first half of each of the three days was devoted to capturing the likenesses of a female model and the second half of the day was devoted to a male model. The models sat patiently on a stool in front of the class with a black cloth background. Lighting was adjusted to give a great - and consistant - presentation.

Individual attention was abundant! The students worked hard and laughed a lot. The models even had a good time. The paintings produced were fantastic - illuminating each artists unique style and at the same time, showing a consistency from learning a new techique.

Kevin shared his painting techniques via a lot of live demos which was advantageous for the learner. The workshop concluded on Sunday with a small reception showing off the students' work. New friends were made and good-bye hugs were plentiful. What a wonderful three days!

FYI: Kevin Kresse is a Little Rock artist who is nationally known for his painting and sculpting. Check out his work at http://www.kevinkresse.com/.

Are we afraid to be Creative?

TED is a series connecting thinkers and their views of the future with us, their mass audience. In this talk, writer, Elizabeth Gilbert, asks what we are afraid of and why it should stand in the way of our own creativity... You may have been wondering about ESSA. And you may have been wondering how to get over your own fears of tapping your more creative self. We are here to help.