Monthly Mentor

Natalie C. Jones (February)
Each month, a different member is the guest writer for the NAEA Monthly Mentor Blog. Natalie C. Jones is an artist, small business owner, and the director of education at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. She has 10 years of experience working as an art teacher and teaching artist throughout the east coast and the Midwest. Click "GO" to read her full bio.

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March 11, 2013

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!

2013-03-07_15-26-48_659This 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

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Comments

Bob Reeker

Love your words, Ronda! Congrats again on Western Region Art Educator of the Year. Well deserved!
Bob

Ronda Sternhagen

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.

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