As a staff member in the Fine and Performing Arts department at the Emilson Y, I always take pride in the programming we offer, whether I am involved in said program or not. Recently I had the amazing opportunity to participate in a Cork and Canvas event offered by our Fine Arts Coordinator, Beth Gilmore, and I was simply blown away.

Having known Beth for a number of years, and even sharing an office since the opening of Laura's Center for the Arts about a year ago, I knew that Beth was both an accomplished artists and a thoughtful, articulate educator. Having seen her working with the campers, students and community members that participate in our classes and events I thought I knew what it would be like to be on the other side. My expectations were far exceeded.

If you are unfamiliar with our Cork and Canvas events, the basic idea is wine and painting.  The instructor walks the class through recreating an original painting step by step. I do not have any painting ability and I certainly didn't leave with a museum worthy work, but let me tell you, my mother wants in hanging in her living room! 

During our first break to allow the paint to dry!

One of the most amazing things was walking around and seeing the way the other people in the class interpreted the same instruction. There was no pressure to be right, and when that pressure was eliminated it made it easy to sit back, enjoy a glass of wine, and have a blast.  Beth's cheesy jokes and effortlessly casual demeanor made it feel like everyone in the room had known each other for years, providing the perfect environment to allow our muses to mingle.

The finished product

It was amazing to be on the other side of a class, especially with someone who I have spent so much time working and growing with.  We even had a chance to snap a great picture.

It MAY be good enough for a museum...What do you think?

I am always so inspired by the way artist and teacher Kate Sanborn talks about art making.  It's always about  togetherness and process, things that keep any artist on point and separated from the fear that often looms about the end results.  We were talking today about her plans for an upcoming Family Art Night that will be running here at Laura's Center for the Arts where she hopes to get families working together and focused on the process.

Kate calls these little guys "Sculptural Caricatures."  Each family member is in charge of creating another family member's wire caricature. Family members must also play to their strengths, maybe assigning one person to be in charge of the cutting (because perhaps that is a challenge for another), while putting another in charge of bending the wire (because perhaps they find out they really love that part.)  No matter what age or abilities that are in the group, they will create a game plan to figure out who is best at what and what needs to be done so that they can all be working as equals.  Working as equals! I love that.  I love that kids are given as much weight in this situation to make decisions about how things should be as adults and it isn't because we are humoring them.  It is because their opinion is equally as valid.

If you want to come make some art with Kate, gather up your family or your chosen family of the night and come by LCA this Thursday night (January 16th) from 6-7. You can register online or by calling the Y at 781-829-8585 ($35 Y Member Family, $53 Non-Y Member Family; Program Code: 50AEVIS09).