Being A Duck

Invitation and Poster created by Caroline Holly

Being a duck is keeping me busy.  I am volunteering at two separate museums this summer.  My expectations of volunteering time at the Greater Denton Art Council (GDAC), as an Exhibition Coordinator, are many.  My role includes responsibilities focusing on all areas of exhibitions from inception, installation, and deinstallation, press releases, training and leading in a docent position, and other areas as needed.  Such as, the fourth day I hit the sidewalk all around the Denton Square for approximately three hours greeting the public and hanging American Bride posters in shops/stores.  I visited the Chamber of Commerce and several banks too for distribution of exhibit posters.  Another expectation is to meet new people and to be of service to the staff and public in whatever capacity I can  to better the museum atmosphere with my enthusiasm.  I have only spent six days at GDAC so far and believe new relationships are being built, and that my organizational skills are being appreciated.  I am working with Margaret Chalfant, Executive Director, and report directly to her.  I am keeping up with the exhibition calendar through meetings with her and John Riegelman, Facilities Manager and Programs Coordinator.  He wears many hats as does each staff member because of being a small team.  I work with Caroline Holly, Community Arts Coordinator, and Michael Schwerin, Development too.  Caroline was in my position several years ago.  Caroline created the American Brides' poster I distributed to the businesses in Denton.  We all contribute to a very large community affair.  Please come to the opening reception for American Brides as I was told I could invite a few of my friends.  Please contact GDAC to RSVP.

At the Museum of Biblical Art (MBA), in Dallas, Texas, link I will be teaching the entire staff about Art Education Theories--Visual Thinking Strategies, Thinking Routines, and Artful Thinking.  I have been asked to teach a watercolor lesson to children 8-18 years of age during Summer Kids Camp in July, and to contribute to art conversation and restoration activities.  I am working closely with staff members Dr. Valentine Robinson, Assistant Director, for daily assignments and instructions, Scott Peck, Co-Director and Curator, lessons in docent led tours, Lauren Tollett, planning art education activities and various gallery installation duties, Maria Valentina Sheets, Conservation, Inc., MA/PA-AIC/CAP and Philip Martin, Conservator, in learning about proper techniques for restoring damaged art objects, and working closely together for the Summer Kids Camp to be successful.

Currently, I am preparing to teach about using Visual Thinking Strategies in front of an Alvar Sunol painting.  The depiction of Christ Teaching In the Temple is the largest painting this contemporary artist has ever painted.  It is approximately 10' h x 30' w.  To read about Alvar go to this link.  I was thrilled to watch his painting being installed by the crew last week.  The museum staff and I will gather tomorrow for lunch and then proceed to talk about the Alvar painting in the gallery.  I will use questions such as, "What's going on in this painting?" and "What do you see here that makes you say so?" to lead the staff members through a narrative exercise.  Other responsibilities at the MBA are to put together a research binder entailing the materials used to teach the staff about Art Education, and this information will eventually be uploaded to the MBA website for everyone to access.