There is so much I have wanted to write about,, but as you can tell from my previous post.. I just have so much going on...
What I have been wanting to share for quite some time now is an experience I recently had...
Almost a year ago a wonderful gal,Kristen Moffett contacted me after seeing my spread in Home Companion Magainze. She is in Seattle (local to me) and asked if I would be willing to help with a project at her children's school. Over the past year I have met with her and we made plans.
Her children attend St Alphonsus Catholic School in Ballard (Seattle) WA. As I also attended a catholic school growing up I felt an instant connection to this project. Every year they put on an auction to raise money for their school. In the auction each grade creates a project that is then auctioned off. (along with SEVERAL other items).
So a few months ago I came to their school, and taught the second graders an "art class" in which the project we created would be their auction project.
I went to the school prepared to teach them collage/mixed media with a twist on how we can use several things in everyday life by recycling them and using them in our own artwork. I taught them they are ALL artists.. in their own way, and there is NO right or wrong in collage. I brought them each their own little packet (which kids really dig this) filled with different things we could use for layers and textures.
Granted.. I had NEVER taught a class before in my life let alone teaching children.. but I came prepared and created the project before hand step by step to show them how each piece would look. All I can say is it was so worth the time & effort I put into it. They were so intrigued, and SO excited it was probably the best experience I've had. I have to say that I even impressed myself on my teaching abilities--especially with kids... it seems all you need to do is give them positive energy that they are doing a spectacular job and their faces light up and they are SO pleased with what they are creating! At even a second grade level they don't have all those preconceived notions that what they are doing "isn't good enough".. each student was so impressed with what they created! Something you can't buy was the look on their faces for each step we did!!! They loved it!
We created our SEVERAL (probably 6+) layer collage piece, and then each student drew their very own individual angel that we printed onto transparency paper to adhere to the top of their finished collage piece.
Kristen had the pieces of work framed, and it was then ready for the auction block. She was such a doll, and bought tickets to the auction for my husband and I which was last weekend. It was SOOOOO well put together, I was absolutely amazed. It was a nice sit down dinner with the entire placed decorated to the hilt, and also included a real live auctioneer (which I had never experienced before). There were so many items on the auction block! One of the items included ... something I would have never expected...
It was a BABY (12 wk old) Golden Retriever ... talk about MELTING MY HEART!!!!! My husband and I would have bid in a heartbeat if it would have been a girl (to get along better w/Scout) I guess lucky for us it was a boy doggie.
Here are pictures of the second graders final piece
The 2nd grade piece was near the end of the Auction, and since I had a part of it I was on the edge of my seat when it came up for auction. To my surprise my husband raised his bidding # to bid on the piece. He was IN AWE on the piece of ARTWORK it had turned out to be. I would have displayed it proudly in my living room without a doubt! To my ABSOLUTE surprise... the bidding went up over $500 (with my husband STILL bidding on it).. he had to stop his bidding at around $1,100 though..
GOING ONCE..GOING TWICE... SOLDDDDD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER OF $2,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could NOT believe it! and was sooooo proud of those kids!!!! The second graders got THE MOST for their created auction piece of all the grades.. even including the upper 7th and 8th grades!!!!! WE DID WELL, and I was so glad to be able to be there to see the final results!
It was such a great experience for me, 1-to work with the kids.. they were so great! 2-to use my "art" to benefit something great, 3-to be proud of what we created!
A few days ago I got an envelope in the mail, and it was filled with letters from the children.. it about brought me to tears... absolutely adorable....Each and every one of the children made me a "thank you" letter!!! I posted a few of them here,, but not all. They were just too cute, and SO thoughtful!
Not only that but their art teacher wrote me a nice little thank you, included photos, and also sent me a few Starbucks gift certificates (SO not necessary, but SO nice!!!!!)
I have already talked to Kristen about hopefully participating next year as well. It was such a wonderful experience that I would jump at the chance of doing it again!!!!
Stacie,
I just came across your journal entry - now over a year ago. I have shared it with several people at the school including our principal, art teacher, and the winning bidder of this "masterpiece". Words really can't express how grateful we are for your time, talent, and beautiful heart. You gave our children an amazing gift by sharing your art. Truly a memorable experience for us all. It is fitting that I found this on Thanksgiving weekend as you are truly a person that I am thankful for. All that you are and all that you do. Take care and I hope to talk with you soon!
Kristen Moffett
Posted by: kristen moffett | November 24, 2007 at 11:32 AM
this is such a fantastic story! that is wonderful how much you enjoyed teaching, how much the kids enjoyed creating, and how much the amazing artwork went for! Wow!
Posted by: melanie | December 13, 2006 at 09:05 PM
wow, what an incredibly touching story! thank you so much for sharing!!
ps- please do send your mailing address when you have a moment. xo
Posted by: joleen | November 27, 2006 at 10:31 PM
Stacie this made me get teary reading it! What an awesome experience and WOW! The finished work is amazing and with that price you will be sure they will want you to come back next year. Do I hear a career teaching art in your future? Count me among those who would eagerly sign up!
Hope life is settling down for you now.
Crystal
Posted by: Crystal Neubauer | November 26, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Stacie,
Congratulations...what an accomplishment for you and that spouse of yours sounds like a sweet, dear man who loves you very much!!
You've touched each one of those little lives...and that is priceless!!!
genie
Posted by: Genie | November 24, 2006 at 07:40 PM
Woo hoo!! Sounds like a fun time for you and the kids miz Stacie. The finished piece turned out fabulous!!!
You go girl!!!
xoxs
Carla
Posted by: Miz Carla | November 24, 2006 at 12:10 PM
WOW Stac!!! I am SO glad that you were able to do this with the kids. Sounds like they really enjoyed your teaching and learning the creative process. They certainly ARE all artists!!! The finished piece is just AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!! The framing is fantastic. I LOVE the little angels that each child created,a sweeet theme throughout! I am SO proud of you that you worked so hard planning this project and you pulled it off very professionally. WAG award! Teaching is such a rewarding experience!
OXOXOX Joanne
Posted by: Joanne | November 23, 2006 at 11:47 PM
What a sweet story to read on Thanksgiving Day!! Hope you guys had a lovely relaxing day.
Posted by: Jana | November 23, 2006 at 07:44 PM
what a wonderful story for you to share and for us to hear. it sounds like such a gratifying experience, to share your love of art and creating with such eager souls. i'm sure you were a fantastic influence and made a big impression in those young lives.
Posted by: katie | November 23, 2006 at 09:10 AM
congratulations! got tears in my eyes as well just from reading your post. you can be so proud of this project. and glad you enjoyed teaching children. i love doing that, too much unconditional fun and love! better do it again next year. brava!
Posted by: belinda | November 22, 2006 at 06:12 AM
Stacie - what a beautiful story and experience! -And the finished piece was stunning, no wonder it went for 2k! The letters were fabulous, too. What a treat. I'm sure some of them will come away from that experience as artists for the rest of their lives.
Posted by: Laurie Blau-Marshall | November 21, 2006 at 11:29 PM
xoxo!! I LOVE this story!! I have been a part of something similar -- and it's great, isn't it?
Posted by: christine | November 21, 2006 at 05:26 PM
STACIE... HOW WONDERFUL!!!!! What an INCREDIBLE opportunity.
xo
Posted by: Tracie Lyn Huskamp | November 21, 2006 at 09:27 AM
STACIE... HOW WONDERFUL!!!!! What an INCREDIBLE opportunity.
xo
Posted by: Tracie Lyn Huskamp | November 21, 2006 at 09:27 AM
STACIE... HOW WONDERFUL!!!!! What an INCREDIBLE opportunity.
xo
Posted by: Tracie Lyn Huskamp | November 21, 2006 at 09:27 AM
what issue were you in? I'd love to look it up. Thanks! Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | November 21, 2006 at 08:16 AM
What a beautiful experience for you. And those pieces of art work the kids made was fantastic. Wonderful job you did with them. You would make a great art teacher, the world needs more people like you. Kids are so short changed by art instructors today, you would be giving all of them a great favor in teaching them art.
Posted by: Teresa Sheeley | November 21, 2006 at 07:49 AM
oh my gosh!!! this is SO amazing!! i knew you really enjoyed your day with the kids from what you told me about it--but WOW!!! the artwork is SO stunning..the kids will be feeling SO good and all because you gave them your time, talent and love SO fully. i think you've found your niche sweetie!! thank you for sharing SUCH a wonderful story!!
liz xx
Posted by: liz smith | November 21, 2006 at 03:20 AM
This is awesome, Stacie. You have made a difference in these children's lives. They will always remember this experience. What a wonderful holiday present for them and you!
Jeanette
Posted by: Jeanette Janson | November 20, 2006 at 04:03 PM
What a wonderful story!! And what a beautiful framed piece of art it turned out to be!! I look forward to seeing next year's project. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Natalie
Posted by: natalie | November 20, 2006 at 09:30 AM
Oh my gosh, Stacie! This is just THE BEST story, made even cuter by the fact that your husband was so dedicated to the bidding cause! I'm soooo excited for you that it went for $2000... and those kids! Imagine how good you made them feel? I'll bet you launched a few new art careers that night. Big hugs, Shari
Posted by: Shari Beaubien | November 20, 2006 at 07:13 AM
What a fantastic story! Maybe it is time to get out of the cubicle and find your niche. Sounds like you have! Maybe working with kids is right up your alley...
see you soon!
Posted by: etysse | November 19, 2006 at 11:33 PM
What a perfect story to share with all of us this Sunday before Thanksgiving.
I have to agree about children at this sweet age.
I can just see their joy at the beautiful piece that they created with your help.
I volunteered for several years at our local elementary school and always have such good memories of those great children.
Bless you and your dear husband.
Posted by: edssak | November 19, 2006 at 03:19 PM