Greetings from Beals Island

I’m back from a splendid visit to Beals Elementary School on Beals Island, Maine with the wonderful Island Readers and Writers program.

Beals Elementary School, on Beals Island, Maine                photo by Jamie Hogan

I love seeing art on the walls upon arrival! These incredible dioramas were created by Laura Fish’s eighth grade students for permanent display. Beals is reached by a bridge from Jonesport, about four hours Down East from Portland, Maine.

Diorama of the bridge to Beals created by Laura Fish’s eighth graders.              photo by Jamie Hogan

Diorama of Beals Elementary by Laura Fish’s eighth grade class                                              photo by Jamie Hogan

I met students from pre-K through eighth grade in the gym when Principal Christopher Crowley introduced the project: to create art and text for a story walk on the school grounds!

I began with a slide show, drawing parallels from my island to theirs, and discussing the points of view that only their sharp eyes can bring.

Author and illustrator Jamie Hogan at Beals Elementary School          photo by Lisa Herrington

I did a quick drawing demonstration and we offered up paper and oil pastels.

Jamie does a drawing demo for Beals students         photo by Lisa Herrington

It doesn’t take kids long to make their mark!

Beals student with his drawing of the Autumn Gale                photo by Jamie Hogan

They took a slow art walk to see what everyone had drawn. There were lots of boats and crabs, animals and the sea.

Beals students take an art walk                     photo by Jamie Hogan

A show and tell of my sketchbooks, children’s books, art supplies, zines, and calendars prompted some questions.

Show and tell table at Beals                               photo by Lisa Herrington

Teacher George Crawford asked students to say what their drawings made them feel.

Beals teacher, George Crawford, with student drawings                            photo by Jamie Hogan

We began lists of words and ideas, asking What is the story of this place?

I learned a new verb: wrinkling. Have you heard of it?

Lists for story making                  photo by Jamie Hogan

Principal Chris made us a hearty lunch that included his own strawberry shortcake and molasses cookies! He does it all for that sweet school.

Principal Chris Crowley in his classroom at Beals Elementary                              photo by Jamie Hogan

Next we met with the 5 – 8 grades.

Grades 5 through 8 making drawings        photo © Jamie Hogan

Beals student drawing of boats passing under the bridge                                   photo by Jamie Hogan

We prompted the older group to add words or phrases to their drawing. Jason wrote “The fierce eagle perches as we learn.”

drawing by Jason               photo by Jamie Hogan

We headed outside to walk the circuit of the current Story Walk that wraps around the school field, from the book by Anna Crowley Redding, Chowder Rules.

Story Walking at Beals Elementary          photo by Jamie Hogan

I met a fellow Thing Finder, Julianna, who showed me a crab shell and feather she’d spotted. She later gave me a drawing, a shell, and a paper puppet! Eric gave me his lobster drawing.

Julianna’s finds along the Story Walk at Beals Elementary photo by Jamie Hogan

Julianna’s paper puppet              photo by Jamie Hogan

Blue lobster by Eric

After school, Program Assistant Lisa Herrington gave me a tour of Beals and the nearby Down East Institute, where Beals students head for field research.

Blue lobster at Down East Institute                                photo by Jamie Hogan

DEI serves as the marine science field station for the University of Maine at Machias. We got an impromptu tour of the touch tank and the lab where baby lobsters are studied. This one, less than an inch, is two months old.

baby lobster at Down East Institute           photo by Jamie Hogan

We were told there was a beached whale around the bend. Here is Lisa on the lookout at DEI’s shore.

Program Assistant Lisa Herrington at Down East Institute               photo by Jamie Hogan

We stopped next at the Wild Blueberry Heritage Center, where I got some blueberry goodies, and learned that wild blueberry farms deserve research and preservation. Stay wild, Maine!

A display of vintage cans caught my eye, and I sketched one later.

sketch by Jamie Hogan of vintage blueberry can at the Wild Blueberry Heritage Center

On the second day at Beals, students brainstormed more of a story as they drew on black paper, using bold strokes and contrasting colors.

pastel drawing by Riley

Program Director Alison Johnson asked students to describe their drawing. List making is an essential tool in this collaborative project!

Beals students discuss their artwork as Program Director Alison Johnson makes a list                         photo by Jamie Hogan

Drawing a beaver takes concentration!

Drawing at Beals Elementary photo by Jamie Hogan

For the pre-K and kindergarten students, a little Duck, Duck, Goose goes a long way.

creative play at Beals Elementary                        photo by Jamie Hogan

The 5 – 8 students drew again, after collectively brainstorming the story arc.

Drawing at Beals Elementary for the Story Walk             photo by Jamie Hogan

As the story began taking shape, Alison typed up the text. The creative process can be messy and a bit chaotic, but that’s how it comes alive. I asked students to guess how long I take to make a book. One said, two days? Nope. Two weeks? Nope. Two months? Nope. I spend at least three months creating final illustrations for a book, with many more months polishing a manuscript prior to submitting a book proposal. It takes time.

Bravo to Beals Elementary for an epic effort in two school days!!!

IRW Program Director Alison Johnson typed up the story text brainstormed by Beals students.          photo by Jamie Hogan

The whole school was called back in for a reading of the final story. Applause! There were title suggestions, a vote, and school was done.

That’s when we discovered our trickiest of tasks: finding a drawing from each student, with a class list, and placing them on the boards that will be installed within frames outside.

Final board placement for  the Story Walk, A Day in Maine, by Beals students                             photo by Lisa Herrington

final board placement for the Story Walk, A Day in Maine, at Beals Elementary                            photo by Lisa Herrington

Principal Chris Crowley will announce a public event when families and students can see the Story Walk of A Day in Maine, so stay tuned!

Hats off to my generous and gracious host, Alison Johnson and her adorable Pip:)

Program Director Alison Johnson and Pip in Birch Harbor, Maine                  photo by Jamie Hogan

Thanks to Beals Elementary and Island Readers and Writers for an incredible project! It was a blast to meet fellow islanders in this sweet community. Keep those eyes and pencils sharp!

drawings by Jamie Hogan