Pace Yourself, Class of 2019

What good fortune to chaperone the Illustration MECA field trip to Stonington along with fearless Department Chair Mary Anne Lloyd!

Maine College of Art’s Pace House is a splendid destination even under overcast skies. Our troop arrived in four vehicles, 13 students in all. After grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, they set out for the nearby Lily Pond. A downpour brought them dashing back, where they gathered around a toasty wood stove to dry off, sketch, and play games, surrounded by Stephen Pace’s paintings.

Nothing finer than breaking bread together!

I made a couple of MECA pies for dessert.

Lauren shared his card secrets. A few ghost stories spilled while the rain howled into the night.

We woke to brilliant skies but no power or water. After makeshift coffee and grilled bagels, some set out for a nearby beach to explore.

Another group followed Mary Anne to her favorite drawing spot, overlooking the sparkly harbor.

After about an hour of drawing, we walked through the village.

We had electricity upon return!

We ate lunch on the porch, basking in the sun. Here’s Meghan McDunnah’s sketch with some of the treasures found nearby.

We made friends with a praying mantis.

While I prepped butternut squash chili, kids played in the long shadows.

We drove to a beach later in the day, and spied a brave woman taking a quick dip.

The light was simply divine.

It begged shadow play.

Here’s to you, Class of 2019. You make your own power!

The waxing half moon was already shining by the time we got back to the ranch.

Suppah time! I love how everyone chipped in.

This is Stephen’s portrait of his wife, Palmina.

She made many of the ceramic bowls, plates, and mugs from which we ate and drank.

In the morning some students passed around the sketchbooks Mary Anne had given them.

Sketches by Jenna Zammet      

Sketches by Sam Myrdek  

Sketch by Sarah Sawtelle

Collage by Alicia Eafrati

Sketches by Elinor Cania

Sketches by Em Carlson

Sketch by Lauren Merritt

Sketch by Emily Hepler

Mary Anne brought this adorable suitcase full of her supplies to make her felt sachets! This one’s for her lucky sister, Nancy.

Here’s my sketch of Stonington Harbor.

Pancakes were eaten, laundry was done, rooms were swept. Everyone packed up, leaving only the collection of Pace hats.

Oh, and little sketches in the guest book.

Thank you, Mary Anne, for leading the way. Thanks to Maine College of Art and the Paces for a place to connect with students, art, and starry skies!