The Convention - Part 2
Wow! What a convention! Texas definitely does things in a BIG way. Hospitality reigns supreme in the Lone Star state.
As I sit at a DFW termina on Sunday afternoon, I start my reflection of the last few days.
Texas
brought us together from not only the United States, but also from a
large contingent of countries. It was quite an impressive list when
President F. Robert Sabol gave his address to convention goers. And
speaking of Dr. Sabol's address, he took us all down memory lane to the
"beginning" of his artistic career and challenged each of us to go on a
similar personal journey. Do you remember your early artistic
experiences?
I remember elementary art that was held in the old
bus garage on the ground floor of the three-story brick school building.
Ms. Bornholdt transformed the space into a room full of amazing art
materials and visuals. I still have a few of the projects I created in
that room, and I will admit they bring a smile to my face when I look at
them. It was just a great place to be and a time I always looked
forward to in the school day. We always participated in the fire
prevention poster contests and the like in the community, and I do
remember my classmates often admiring my work.
Later in my school
career, I changed school districts and Mr. Dosen became my art
teacher...in the unattached bus barn. (What was it with the art room
inheriting the bus barn as a space?) The art room was in that space for a
number of years, and I will admit it was a bit refreshing to be in our
own space. It didn't matter how loud we were in making our art, and we
could roll up a garage door and throw our pottery on the wheel in fresh
air. The room was later moved above the newly built locker rooms. I
remember many hours spent on the fire escape drawing the Iowa landscape.
I
was one of those students who fulfilled most of their "academic"
graduation requirements early. That meant my schedule was wide open to
be spent in the art room. I even spent some of my day in the
kindergarten room as an associate. No one could believe that my
post-secondary plans did not include becoming a teacher. I guess they
could all "see" it in me, it just took me a little longer to figure that
out...and I am ever so thankful that I did figure it out.
So what does all this reminiscing have to do with Dr. Sabol's address? It matters. Art matters. YOU matter. NAEA matters.
Lastly,
I must thank the NAEA office staff, Executive Board and all those
involved in organizing this year's convention! It was a most memorable
experience....a job well done. The convention...it matters! So, see you
in San Diego? I hope so!
This
was the ceiling in the room where Dr. Sabol gave his President's
address. What a stunning site! It pays to look up (and down, and all
around). It matters.
—Ronda Sternhagen
Love your words, Ronda! Congrats again on Western Region Art Educator of the Year. Well deserved!
Bob
Posted by: Bob Reeker | March 11, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Thanks, Bob! A huge congrats to you as well, National Elementary Art Educator! The convention is always a great time to spend with my art family.
Posted by: Ronda Sternhagen | March 11, 2013 at 07:51 PM