Let’s Make Some Good Art

Let’s Make Some Good Art

You are probably wondering what the title of this blog has to do with leadership.  It comes from a speech by author Neil Gaiman, and borrowed for a very engaging video I watched last week. If you follow the link you’ll see that the student, Sarah Almeda uses motion...
Aesthetics: Taking Time to Notice

Aesthetics: Taking Time to Notice

Recently I visited the Denver Art Museum and had an experience that has stayed with me. It was the Red, White and Bold: Masterworks of Navajo Design, 1840-1870 exhibition of Navajo chief blankets. An arresting aesthetic experience. What made it that way- why does it...
Thinking Like An Artist Scientist

Thinking Like An Artist Scientist

I just came back from a two-day staff retreat at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. A lovely setting with 14,000 acres of woods, meadows and forest land festooned with art installations. The chance to be in the woods and work with colleagues in a beautifully...
Sitting with Van Gogh: Thoughts on Arts and Learning

Sitting with Van Gogh: Thoughts on Arts and Learning

Lately, Vincent van Gogh has been consuming my waking and sleeping hours. Over the holidays I saw an art exhibition, Becoming Van Gogh at the Denver Art Museum. My sister in law purchased the tickets and invited me to see the show with her the Saturday before...

Ever Thought of Your Classroom as a Studio?

I recently came across an article “Art for Our Sake” by Ellen Winner and Lois Hetland. It starts out by asking the reader “Why do we teach the arts in schools?” Good question. Why should districts reconsider cutting funding from the visual arts, drama, music, and...