Pure "Gold"sworthy from Grade 2's and 3's

Good morning Adele!

I received these beautiful pictures from an artist in the classroom with Music Champion.  She and I worked to develop a multi-media lesson plan connecting the environment, media literacy, and movement.  I was so excited to see how her grade 2 and 3 students were inspired by the work of one of my favourite artists Andy Goldsworthy, and to hear that they will be soundscaping about these beautiful sculptures they created and photographed.

It reminded me of a song I wrote a few years ago, inspired by my experiences with the elements as I traveled in South America and in Canada.  You should be able to listen to it directly at the link below (you may have to click on Music Player for Google Drive when prompted, but otherwise you could download it)    This is "Trinity" .... enjoy!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_y6Ejjk7jMkT1RXbkYyajhyTFk/view?usp=sharing

Brave Shoes

 Dear Adele,
Cass and I had a fun art making session on the weekend and we thought we'd share our creativity for your amusement on this blog.

We did shoe painting. This was our second adventure with this artistic endeavor. These are my latest creations. You can see some pretty wavy ones from Cass down below from our last session.

We talked during the evening about a lot of good woman power things such as giving space to acknowledge, feel and act on our emotions. We talked about rituals and rites of passage. We talked about intuition and honouring our connections to things beyond the material world. We talked while sharing food and painting shoes. I think a shoe is a good metaphor for stepping forward and navigating these questions and conversations and for being brave enough to walk our own path and be ourselves even when faced with adversity.

 May we all be nimble enough to walk forward with strength and grace at the same time.

Thinking of you Adele

Nicole and Cass

Hi Adele
The Great Canadian History Challenge... These pictures were collaged by students at Sagonaska... Can you tell which bits of Canadian history are portrayed?
xo Martha

Foundations in Owen Sound

Hello Adele! Karen McCello here. 

Andrea Piller, Jim Adams (facilitator-in-training) and I just spent a beautiful weekend facilitating Foundations in Owen Sound. I’ve been thinking of you, particularly at times over this weekend, imagining how delighted you would be to see the flowering confidence and generous energy in this lovely group of Artist-Educators. This is a picture of our Community Agreement.

 We were at the beautiful Tom Thomson Gallery, and were treated to a guided tour of their current exhibit - a thought-provoking collection by Montreal ceramic artist Laurent Craste. His work is mind-bending and provocative -- really awe-inspiring. 

We also enjoyed being invited to view some of Tom Thomson’s early work. I don’t know if the pictures really do them justice, but they just shimmered with light and energy.

 

Also wanted to share a few pics of a sparkling young artist! Her parents are both phenomenal artists and people - her father, an eminent photographer, her mother (a Foundations student) a high-flying circus artist. Oh the places she will go!

 

Thinking of you, Adele, and wishing you comfort.

 Warmest love, Karen

Hi Adele,

Apparently I've got nothing but aggressively cheerful music I've composed for my "write like Mozart' class.  I hope you find it more cheering than jarring!  I'm thinking of you and hope you are in a comfortable space.  https://soundcloud.com/pat2013-1/ariels-pie-remix/s-jSBQA

My daughter was making pie when I finished this up just before the deadline (when else?).  Maybe the smell of pie influenced the cheerfulness.

XOXO
Pat

My Dear Adele, What a beautiful embrace of artistic love! Words, textures, songs, poems, all created out of thoughts, images and love for you. You are the inspiration. You become the source of creative expression. The strokes of pen, shades of color, echoes of song delight us all. With Love Always, Megan

A local Toronto schools Gr. 1/2's "Community"...I hope it inspires you to think about all the wonderful things in your own community and home.

Adele and I are having tea in the Royal Conservatory Cafe.

What a treat!

John

Adele!
You have been in my thoughts and heart. As I linger too long on a piece I can create for you, I wanted to share this story and photo with you:

A couple of years ago, on a mid-November morning, plans were not going as expected...
A little self-talk about making the best of the day brought me to the boardwalk in the Toronto beaches. It was remarkably warm for November and gorgeously sunny; so much so that I sat down in the sand to meditate. When I opened my eyes, the reflection of the sun on the water struck me as photo worthy. When I looked back at the photo I was overwhelmed with delight at what I saw. And I spent the rest of the day in gratitude, having been blessed by an angel.

I am also grateful and blessed to have you as a mentor on my marvelous artist educator journey. Thank you.
If one may share angels, I'd like to share this one with you:)
Cyber hug.
(And I will continue to deliberate on a creation. Any special requests?)

Sagonaska School Creative Process Challenge

Recently, Martha Newbigging and I had the pleasure of leading a professional learning day with the teachers at Sagonaska Demonstration School in Bellville. This is a school that you introduced us to Adele. We explored the creative process through an arts based activity and then asked the participants to reflect back on the process and consider assessment opportunities that would be available within that process. They responded very positively and enthusiastically as you can see. I felt your creative energy and educational expertise in the room supporting us as the teachers made, shared and reflected throughout the day. Even though you were not physically present, you were with us.

Looking forward to having a cup of tea with you again very soon.

Good wishes,

John

Tea time

Hi Adele,

Today I'd like to sit and sip,
Forget about the world a bit,
Ignore the things I have to do,
And enjoy a cup or two.
-Author Unknown

Hope that you enjoy a cup of tea and this beautiful spring day! Below is a cake I made that made me think of you.

Thinking of you and sending warm wishes your way!

Laura Blanco

Pouting Porch by Abby

Dearest Adele, 

it would appear that i am inept at uploading music to the site, so Nicole has graciously offered to help me. Please enjoy this track from my CD Sweet Shadows. 

It's about finding inspiration 

by stepping out of the mad stream and into the open spaces, 

calling my soul back to restore and renew. 

Wishing you light, love and blue sky,

abby

https://soundcloud.com/user601324276/pouting-porch

Spring wish

Dear Adele, You came to mind while I was researching for a grade 4 workshop...Your supportive in-class visits and celebration of our drama making, always encouraged me.
 My son Josh shot this picture from my bedroom window last year, sharing the joy of following a process to create a Haiku. Sending you wishes of spring filled moments.

Welcome in!

Hi Adele,
I made this at the Art for Adele evening. It's a welcome wreath. I made a very spring-like one in peaches and light greens last year. It stayed up all year round, even through all the reds and greens of xmas. Now I have a wintery wreath just in time for spring. The fabric of the wreath was given to me by Cass. I was glad to make this at the Art for Adele crafts night because a welcome wreath is about inviting community into your home and I think this site invites community into communication with you and with each other. I appreciate that.

If you haven't yet posted - welcome in! I encourage you to send your art hello to Adele.

Hugs,
Nicole