Thanks to the Natives

On the heels of last night's Oscars, I am bringing back a quick clip from 2012.  Listen closely as 30 sixth graders from Warm Springs Middle School Film Art Class cheer "Art Integration: Raising Student Assets!"

Look closely,... perhaps such a class, which utilized the techniques of film technology, math, reading, music and creativity (all closely designed to follow the West Virginia Content Standard and Objectives), just may be the impetus to produce a future red carpet Oscar nominee.

After all, Art Integration is designed to excite the mind while enhancing existing academic objectives.  Art Integration is a proven method from the U.S. Department of Education which is known to improve a students success in math and science as well as personal assets.

Not only did these 30 students participate in the creation and development of a film entitled "Where is the Love?", the the entire class of 160 children took part in it's development.  Their final creation has been viewed 695 times on youtube!  (Check it out here:  http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=where%20is%20the%20love%206th%20grade%20video&sm=1)  Not bad for a small town..

Why do I post this?  Well, because this "native" 48-year-old-grey-haired-PDblogging-hott-mama-of-four was given an assignment by the Morgan Arts Council to research Art Integration and present a proposal to the Board of Education.  Since 2012, hundreds of students have had the opportunity to work one-on-one with an artist from sculptors, dancers, actors, to musicians in the classroom with our school's Art Integration and Adopt-a-School programs.

This "native" grew up in the 1970's when the New World Theater visited our Berkeley Springs High School with then Theater Director, Glenn Wells (God, I miss that man!).

This "native" graduated cum laud in the 1980's with a Bachelors of Arts (yes, arts) in Theater from the University of Massachusetts.

This Morgan County "native" worked professionally in the 1990's in theater arts administration in Amherst, MA, Chicago, IL, and Frederick, MD.

Having returned home, being a part of developing Art Integration in my home county was more than just giving back to the community that instilled the importance of the arts and learning in me.  Watching the arts be attacked is heart breaking.

Also heart breaking is witnessing a 9 year old from a "native" family struggle with reading.  She shyly sits at the back table with a group of others having a difficult time understanding basic concepts.  I've been to her house.  I've met her daddy.  The arts would never, never be affordable for this economically challenged family yet even accepted by her close minded, (yes, I said "closed minded"...) father (at least I didn't say "d.a.r.n.").

When I passed her table, she looked up at me under unwashed, untrimmed bangs with eyes the size of small planets.  "Mrs. Hott"  she said, "did you know cheetahs are ex... ext...  extinct?"  Then she went on to read rare animal facts to me one syllable at a time.

She was participating in a endangered animal clay class with artist, Lynn Lavin.

Art Integration works.  I've seen it.  Research proves it.

With the failure of the levy which provided $5.8 million per year in Morgan County, not only arts programming has been cut.  The Morgan Messenger headlined on February 26th that "School board cuts 27 jobs, reduces days & duties for 173 school workers next year".   With three Hott children of my own still in school here, it makes me want to vomit.

Shame on the "natives" for not voting on the levy and creating this terrible mess.  And shame on those natives that moved away and stopped caring about Morgan County enough to call home and encourage those left here to vote for the levy.  Stop being amused by the conflict.  Stop being tired of hearing about it.  Start encouraging others to see the situation and dismal future of education in Morgan County without adequate funding.  We are not "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo".  Not yet.

The Morgan County I knew and loved is gone.

Thanks to the natives.

"For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it."  Ecclesiastes 7:12

WSMS Students present: "Where is the Love?"

"Where is the Love?"

I think the 2011-12 6th grade class of Warm Springs Middle School found it!  I am really excited to share the work of film artist, Shamus Cleveland, as he shared with 30 students in an Art Integration's film and technology class in May 2012.  The video you will see is created by his students as they used the entire class of approximately 160+ students!

Thanks to a new program of the Morgan Arts Council in collaboration with Morgan County Schools, these students were able to express how "love" and tolerance is the answer to bully situations encountered by middle school students across our nation.  Art Integration, sponsored by the WV Commission on the Arts and the Eastern W. Va. Community Foundation, was able to teach basic film techniques to assist teachers communicating student values and individual worth (a WV Content Standard and Objective).

So, if you missed the premier at the Morgan County Fair, well, here it is!  So, sit back, relax, and enjoy WSMS collaborative presentation of "Where is the Love?"

And spread the word!  Share this link with your fellow classmates, friends, and families!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iywyj6kSbKQ&feature=youtu.be
It's super cool... I promise.  Then, get ready for more fun creative classes from Art Integration.

You're gonna "love" it!

Film Art Class w/the Morgan Arts Council

Film Art class at Warm Springs Middle School! Thirty 6th graders with film artist, Shamus Cleveland, for Morgan Arts-Council's new program - Art Integration. Check it out! The students are saying "Art Integration - Raising Student Assets!" Watch for their upcoming film called "Where is the Love" coming soon! Filming concludes today with the entire sixth grade class. Thank you Mr. Brock and the 6th grade teachers!


Posting to journal to my blog this link.  (So, if you've already seen this on facebook, thanks for linking again...)  What an honor to work with such creativity as 30 sixth grade students.  Looking forward to today when we film all 180 sixth graders forming a "question mark" and peace sign on the soccer field.  Thank you band director, Lee Cheek, for helping to make this happen.

After being a stay at home mom for the first decade of this century and bringing three more babies into the world, I have recently undertaken a part time job with the Morgan Arts Council in Berkeley Springs, WV, in addition to being a substitute teacher in Morgan County Schools.  Spring 2012 saw a new pilot program introduced in our county called "Art Integration."  This sure keeps me busy while juggling schedules and keeping up with my column on "Hott Flashes" every Monday.  Guess what?  A new publication, Mitera Magazine, is picking up a feature story I wrote later this summer.

All I can say is, 

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people" 

Colossians 3:23, 

But, I really enjoy the people too!

Empty Bowls in Berkeley Springs!

Not for long!  Thanks to a group of mission-minded youths, visual artist Lynn Lavin, and a generous donation from the Seely Foundation in collaboration with the Morgan Arts Council, First UMC, and the WV Commission on the Arts!  "Empty" bowls will soon be "filled" with not only soup for the hungry but seasoned with a little thanksgiving and a lot of  hope on the top!

While a substitute teacher in Morgan County, I came across a number of students locally that need our help.  Did you know that several kids actually go home without a meal until they return to school the next day -- even over the weekend!!!  MAC's Ice House School of the Arts offers a class in hand built pottery where students will create bowls to be a part of Starting Points "Empty Bowls" project, a fundraiser which helps to feed our community -- and your neighbors! 
(See http://www.emptybowls.com/ for more information.)

Recently, I joined the Arts Council part time as the Art School Coordinator.  My busy "mom schedule" finds me all over town, including the soccer field.  It was here when soccer coach and Family Ministry Coordinator, Jenny Ellis, asked if Dan and I would be a part of her team to plan events that bring families together.  Nothing brings a family together more than dinner time over a hot meal, right?  So, from soccer balls to "Empty Bowls," students taking Hand Built Pottery this semester are learning the skills and craft of pottery creation while generating awareness of hunger issues both locally and worldwide as Ms. Ellis' includes "Empty Bowls" as part of a larger program to raise awareness across the globe!

As Thanksgiving season approaches, "Empty Bowls" will conclude with a final event scheduled in Berkeley Springs on November 18th.  We have asked the congregation at First UMC to "bless the bowls" prior to the event.  Pictured here is artist Lynn Lavin (of http://www.icehouseartistsco-op.com/lavin.htm) student Abby Wood:

With clay under finger nails and smiles on faces, students of "Empty Bowls" hope to warm the hearts -- and bellies -- of a fellow child in need.  Serving over 160 children in the rural community of Berkeley Springs, the Youth Art After School program continues to provide classes in visual arts, art and technology, performing, and dance.  Okay, so here's my plug:  Help send a kid to an art class!  Or, stop by and learn pottery - YOU can make a difference and make bowls too!  Sponsors for students as well as entire programs are needed! 

It's "art with a mission!" Here is my little girl Violet learning to make pinch pots, early instruction leading to bowls!   For more information, leave me a comment or call me at the Morgan Arts Council at 304-258-2300!

"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'
Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" --Matthew 25:31-40 NLT