Maine Art Educators Spring Conference

What could be finer than meeting up with Maine art educators at the Ecology School at River Bend Farm?

I was delighted to speak this past weekend at the MAEA awards ceremony and lead two zine making workshops. Bonus: my former MECA student, Liz Long, was my ride! She’s now in her second year teaching Commercial Art at PATHS.

After finding our dorm room, we strolled to the river.

Liz Long at River Bend Farm in Saco                                                                     photo © Jamie Hogan

We walked past other teachers painting en plein air, the Ecology School farm, and this row of trees.

Jamie at the Ecology School                                                                                photo © Liz Long

All the workshops were held in these yurts, which looked like stubby pencils to me.

Yurts at the Ecology School                                                                                                                        photo © Jamie Hogan

I brought a batch of zines from my enormous collection, some by MECA students during my years teaching there, and also some purchased at various zine fests.

Jamie’s zine collection                                                                                                     photo © Jamie Hogan

I also brought little nature objects and little plastic animals as possible prompts, a fine little mess.

zine stuff                                                                                                                             photo © Liz Long

The Saturday session zine makers were Scott Minzy, Elise Pelletier, Daving Whiting, Lynda Leonas, and Liz Long, all teachers ready to roll.

Saturday zine makers: Scott, Elise, David, and Lynda                                                 photo © Liz Long

A zine, by the way, is any small edition of narrative nuggets that can be drawn, collaged, hand-lettered, any method is fair game. My favorite book is Whatcha Mean Whatsa Zine that covers the history and techniques of zine making. After opening introductions and a discussion of zines, everyone got quiet as they mapped out their plan. We were making single page zines that would be folded into eight panels.

As each person was ready, we went nearby to the Ecology School office for making copies.

Ecology School offices                                                                                                                                   photo © Jamie Hogan

Scott shared his electric sharpener that made the longest tip! I’m a big believer in sharp eyes, sharp pencils!

sharpest pencil ever                                                                                                          photo © Liz Long

After making copies to share, the zines were folded, as crisply as possible.

Liz folding her zine copies                                                                                        photo © Jamie Hogan

A bundle of zines!

Saturday session zines by top row: David Whiting, Liz Long, Scott Minzy. Bottom row: Elise Pelletier, Jamie Hogan, and Lynda Leonas

After a delicious dinner, the award ceremony began with a recognition of incoming officers. Guest speaker Bernie Reim talked about Astronomy and Art. He shared some works done in his astronomy course at USM. I’m a huge fan of his monthly sky guide in the local paper, and it was an honor to meet him!

The Astronomical Society of Northern New England had planned to host a star gazing event afterwards, but the cloudy skies dashed that. Bummer!

Bernie Reim shares student art during his MAEA talk                                    photo © Jamie Hogan

I get so jittery when public speaking, but the warm kinship among art educators saved me. We’re all “vessels of star dust” and the art classroom has always been a place for students to discover their inner light, now more than ever.

vessels of stardust, a detail from my illustration for THE MILKY WAY by Gunnel Larsdotter

I shared a poster I saw when visiting the Blue Hill Consolidated School last fall. It sums up what goes down in an art classroom.

I studied illustration in art school, and many years later became an adjunct professor at Maine College of Art in 2003. Being a book nerd, I shared some of the publications that informed my approach.

Jamie Hogan at the Ecology School                                                                                                        photo © Liz Long

Then came the high point of the evening!

I was delighted to see Pamela Moulton win the Community Art Educator of the Year. We were once colleagues in the Side x Side arts integration program, and I know first hand the dazzling energy she brings to every encounter.

Pamela Moulton is awarded the Community Art Educator of the Year by Hope Lord                               photo © Jamie Hogan

I got teary as each teacher’s colleagues presented their award with glowing praise of their dedication. Teaching is complicated in these times, and art teachers are not always recognized for their passionate efforts in a school curriculum. Elise Pelletier, who I’d just met in the zine workshop, won High School Art Educator of the Year. Congratulations to all the amazing winners!

Award winning art educators at the MAEA spring conference

I led another zine workshop on Sunday morning, same yurt, new group.

Sunday zine makers: Heidi O’Donnell, Allie Rimkunas, Phillipa Adam, and Megan McConagha       photo © Jamie Hogan

Sunday zine makers: Cory Buckman and Laurie Chiasson                                                             photo © Jamie Hogan

It was fun to watch the zines take form, all in the span of four hours. Philippa’s already teaching zines to students in Sanford.

Phillipa has a plan                                                                                                       photo © Jamie Hogan

I commented that zines are like seed packets of ideas. Cory ran with that theme, drawing and collaging from a seed catalog.

Cory draws her zine idea                                                                                            photo © Jamie Hogan

The end of class came in the blink of an eye. A few zine makers will be finishing theirs this week. Here’s the bundle from Sunday.

zines by Megan McConagha, Laurie Chiasson, Allie Rimkunas and Jamie Hogan

It was a rotten rainy day, but Liz and I left buoyed by the power of connecting with the best art educators around. Thank you, Maine Art Education Association, and thanks to Vicki Bove for suggesting me to come!

Jamie and Liz at the Ecology School                                                                            photo © Liz Long

The fun doesn’t stop:  I will be heading on Friday, May 5 to the opening reception for the Great State of Maine Illustration in Waterville.

On Saturday, May 6 I will be signing Oh, Chickadee with stellar author Jennifer Jacobson at the Sherman’s Books in Damariscotta from 1 to 3 pm. Please stop by!

And on May 13, I will be celebrating the release of Leap Frog with brilliant author Rae Chalmers right here on Peaks Island. More details to come!

Thanks for reading. Keep looking up:) There’s a full moon this Friday!