Community Art Project

We were asked, some months ago, if we would be interested in teaching a couple of classes at the Beauchamp Public Library in Syracuse that would tie into Black History Month (February). The library offers community based programs on a continual basis in an ethnically diverse area of Syracuse. These programs allow people who live in the community to participate in activities they would not normally be exposed to. We have run similar programs here at Oatka School of Glass in Batavia, NY and we were more than happy to go further afield to teach there.

Lance submitted our ideas for a workshop and the decision came down to "Kente Cloth Fused Glass Tile Workshop".  Lance researched Kente cloth symbolism and did a great job on all the handout material.  He also made all of the Kente cloth images fused onto 1" squares, cut the 4X4" base glass a few days ahead of time, and made had fused a few sample tiles for the students to look at.   The first class was to be for teens, at 2pm and then an adult group at 6:30pm.  So...yesterday we arranged for a dog sitter to feed and walk the 3 dogs while we were gone and off we drove to Syracuse, NY.

When we arrived, Pam Crane (head librarian), introduced us to all the staff and volunteers and gave us a tour of the facility.  Built in the 1920's and being in Syracuse, they architecture is very art and crafts era and they still have quite a bit of Stickley furniture in the building.  Although it is a small library it is heavily used by local community residents.  Our class was being held in the upstairs auditorium...so after the tour we set up for the first class of ....teens. 

We had 5 teens and 1 adult that participated in the first class and 7 adults for the evening class.  We brought a few pieces of our own work and examples of what we teach for them to look at.  We explained a little about what is kilnformed glass and some of the processes that we use to create our work.  Everyone loved the examples and wants to learn more....we will be back....another project....another time.

All the people that participated enjoyed thinking about what the symbols used in a Kente Cloth mean and we were surprised at how much thought went into the arrangement of these symbols on their 4X4" tiles.  We had alot of fun and we received great feedback about how they all enjoyed doing the project and could not wait to get their fused tiles back.

We had an easy drive back to Batavia....the puppies were glad to see us and we enjoyed our HagenDaz ice cream treat as we watched American Idol before calling it a night......tomorrow.....preparation for me teaching the Creating Imagery and Landscapes in Glass that runs Saturday through to Tuesday....never a dull moment.  I guess I asked for it....be very careful what you ask for....you just might get it.