May 2020 Fine Arts Office Updates
Alysia’s Corner
There has been so much activity over this month in the arts education community. The network of central office teams, arts educators, arts integration teachers, teaching artists, and arts organizations in Maryland are responsive to students’ and families’ needs, both artistic and practical. Here are three things that keep me feeling gratitude for colleagues.:
The network of Fine Arts Supervisors is meeting weekly to support each other. They continue to jump on to Work Groups, share resources, offer advice, and seek knowledge to support their teams of fine arts educators. Their generosity and diligence leave me convinced that Maryland students have strong advocates for arts education equity and access in all 24 local school systems.
The Maryland Arts Recovery Task Force has begun its critical work! Composed of representatives from all aspects of Maryland’s arts sector, we will create a plan for the future of the arts in our state to share with Governor Hogan and the Maryland General Assembly. The MSDE Fine Arts Office and our Creative Collaborators, the Maryland State Arts Council, Maryland Citizens of the Arts, and the Arts Education in Maryland Schools are spearheading the workgroup committees under the leadership of Ken Skrzesz. Even in a crisis, Maryland stays true to its values and is making sure the arts and artists have a seat at the table.
Also, the M:BRACE series has proven to be a supreme gift! Over 300 people have attended the sessions exploring topics such as visual journals, Big Ideas through prompts, restorative movement, intention setting, somatic mindfulness, choreography inspired by text, soothing rituals, and slam poetry. Each session is so different, and exciting. Join us next week for our workshops curated by MMEA, MAEA, MTEA, and MDEA! Experts suggest that practicing self-care is a top priority for educators teaching remotely with a trauma-informed approach. Come join us and embrace your creative practice in a new way!
What are three things that are keeping you feeling hopeful? Share them on Twitter and #msdefinearts. I hope to see some of you at an M:BRACE workshop this month!
Alysia Lee, Fine Arts Coordinator
Maryland State Department of Education
#MDArtsUnite!
The Fine Arts Office team is sharing their creativity during COVID-19 on social media this week.
Alysia Lee
I have been connecting with some of my favorite collaborators online!
The Washington Chorus TV is the weekly online TV show from The Washington Chorus. You can catch me on episode 3 with Stephen Beaudoin, Executive Director. https://youtu.be/VXAOiWnHUy8?t=1961
With over one hundred people in attendance, the April ImprovEYES workshop with Kate Zelensky was a fun (and educational!) smashing success! The Baltimore Improv Group’s 3-hour workshop provided the chance to see an improv set through the eyes one of my favorite legendary performers. The next installment is with the acclaimed Upright Citizens Brigade teacher and author, WILL HINES! Can’t wait!
Lillian Jacobson
Pictured here are two small paintings I completed over the past month. I’ve been more active on Instagram and have really enjoyed showing process photos of my paintings and connecting with other artists. It feels really good to get back into a daily art practice, even if I sometimes only get a half hour a day to spend on my paintings.
i. Privileged… ii. In My Own Head. Lillian Jacobson, Oil on canvas, 10” x 10”, 2020
Oh. Finally. Lillian Jacobson, Oil on canvas, 7” x 5”, 2020
Emily Cory
Amidst an uncertain world, I am finding myself relying on gratitude for connection and unity. Gratitude for my husband, family, and friends, for zoom and facetime and access to internet, for Harry Potter, and so much more! But these days I have been most grateful and feeling most connected to my arts community.
I have been surrounded by passionate, caring, and talented people in my work and personal life. It is with them that I feel like my best self. More specifically, I have been working with an extensive community of artists and arts educators for the past five years. And it is because of their mentorship and support that I move to a new role in my arts community. I would be remiss not to mention the GREAT Alysia Lee and Lillian Jacobson who have inspired me almost every day and will no doubt continue to! If you have the fortune to know either of these women, you know they are both forces of light in our world.
My gratitude extends also to my new family of artists with Single Carrot Theatre, where I will join in working with bold, talented, and exceptional theatre professionals! I have spent the last few weeks doing my best to learn as much as possible about Single Carrot, and there is much to be excited about on the horizon!
Currently. I'd love to share a bit about a project I am so thrilled to see come together: "We Broke Up."
“How do you create community in the time of social distancing? How do you process grief in a digital world? Everyone's favorite vlogging couple just broke up, and they're here--streaming live--to tell you all about it. In a climate of social distancing, this play, created for digital performance, explores the world of social-media celebrities and challenges our addictive consumption of the private lives of strangers, revealing that the distance between genuine vulnerability and performative pain is far greater than the inches between one's face and their computer screen." #SCTWeBrokeUp
To the whole Maryland Arts community: GO WELL! - Emily
Adanna Johnson
As this quarantine continues, I’ve been staying on top of my now remote schooling. There are 3 weeks left in the semester and I have been on a roll with ceramics projects, digital imaging assignments, an art History paper, as well as a digital 3D sculpture for my 3D Design course. It has been a challenge, being an art student and not able to get my work done in the studios at school. My professors have been a great help and guide during these times. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when a new way of living is forced upon your life, so I do what I can to remain stress free. I get outside to take a walk, and exercise as much as I can and I’ve cooked more now than I ever have in my life! Outside of my studies, I have started learning Spanish on an app called Duolingo. My goal is to be an intermediate Spanish speaker by the end of 2021!
Everyone stay healthy and be safe!
Digital Imaging superimposed edit of Tyler, The Creator
3D Design Leopoly Sculpture – If you’re interested in making your own 3D sculpture, I’ve linked the site below. Be sure to tag #MDArtsUnite under your post on your social media accounts!
Mareh Smith
Everyone’s been under stress, and stress is something that builds over time. It’s important to have a way to release that tension now more than ever. Sketching figures is the perfect way to get away from everything for a while and release that built up tension with a pencil.