Hello from the animation department at Sheridan

Hi  Adele, Hope you are enjoying the our lovely weather. I do it from afar.  I am not sure if you know, I accepted a full time job at Sheridan College.   Much as I love it, I am adjusting to full time hours and watching the spring transform into summer through plate glass.  My creative juices are rather curtailed to playing catch up too.  But, I  do enjoy the creativity around me as I walk the halls of my new institution.  The animation department is especially  note worthy at  Sheridan.  So, today, I thought I might take you in a walk with me through my building . The walls are adorned with posters of movies that former students have worked on.  I find it quite stimulating to think there is so much talent and creativity all around me, and so many budding animation stars working in the classrooms I pass by.  I think you will recognize some of the movies or books.  Next time, I’ll take you to the visual art department.

Blessings,

Cathy

Warmth and Sunshine

Dear Adele

Wishing you warmth and sunshine as spring rolls in!

Ann McDougall

Poem for Adele

Spring

The earth springs to life, plants bursting forward

The thrusting of life comes through in the garden

As I walk past the tulips my heart hums with joy

Filling the empty reservoir of my soul

Tomorrow may be a different day

But for now…

I rest in this perfect moment

As the earth springs to life.

by Jennifer Polo

From Daphne McCormack

Dear Adele
A grade 6 student of mine created this print recently. The theme was "Charity" and to be honest, many of the students (and myself as well), struggled to come up with some strong literal imagery. In the end, after some intense brain storming, there was some very wonderful work! But this piece in particular caught my eye; the bird with a heart, (an obvious symbol of peace)
but I could not quite make out the big red/pink ball and it's attachment to the bird. Something big, round, and joyful, warm, kind and hopeful. 
It made me wonder and it made me smile. 

Warm thoughts to you Adele. 

Love and gratitude, Daphne McCormack.

A Message from Adele

Every time I visit the blog I am awed by the creativity of each post.  The music is completely uplifting, the shoes totally ready for the runway and the work of the students a continuing message that the arts teach not only the curriculum but what we need to make us human. 

There are never enough words to say thank you.  Not only do you fill my heart but you have become the inspiration for many who are incredibly creative individuals but would never be so bold as to call themselves artists.  You have opened a door that beckons and allowed others to venture forth. 

My deepest appreciation

Adele

Greetings from Sue and Tracy in Italy

Ten Wishes for Adele from Italy with a focus on food, culture and style 

1. Great Italian pizza made with love

2. Tasty gelato to share with a friend

3. A charcuterie plate as beautiful to look at as it was tasty to eat

 

4. An amazing drink in a glass that reminds you to be grateful 

5. A little culture from the collesseum

6. A fountain by the master Bernini

7. Attending the opera in a small church where you can feel the performers breathe

8. Men's Italian leather shoes, say no more

9. Window display in Florence... Flowers are everywhere

10. A good friend who will climb 461 stairs just for the view!

Darling Adele,

You cannot imagine the number of times your name had come up as we have travelled and enjoyed the beauty that is Italy. 

Much love,

Sue and Tracy

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.