Monday, January 22, I drove the trusty Art Mobile to Cascade, MT. Last year I'd learned all about the town because I'd researched two women, Mary Wells and Mary Fields, both of whom lived at the mission in Cascade in the late 1800's. When I arrived to the school Tuesday morning, the sun was rising and steep rock extrusions rose from the hill to the west. I could easily imagine the Marys I'd learned about there, seeing those same rocky pillars. It was very beautiful.
From the Cascade lunchroom. And you know what? I really, really do.
Cascade was a lovely school. I was set up in the conference room and saw every elementary and middle school student throughout the day.
After school I was off to Basin, MT, where I discovered my Air B&B was an large industrial barn on the same road as the Earth Angel Health Mine. It was cozy and wonderful and I spent the whole evening deep in the Harry Potter world (book 7!)
Wednesday I was in Montana City. The original plan had been to visit MT City back in November, but a sudden snowstorm kept me home bound and the trip was rescheduled for January. I had four awesome helpers that day, who really made my life easier as I gave presentations to every kid in the school -- close to 500!
That night I stayed in Basin again, got breakfast Thursday morning in Boulder and spent the afternoon with the kids at Basin school.
After school I was off to Basin, MT, where I discovered my Air B&B was an large industrial barn on the same road as the Earth Angel Health Mine. It was cozy and wonderful and I spent the whole evening deep in the Harry Potter world (book 7!)
Wednesday I was in Montana City. The original plan had been to visit MT City back in November, but a sudden snowstorm kept me home bound and the trip was rescheduled for January. I had four awesome helpers that day, who really made my life easier as I gave presentations to every kid in the school -- close to 500!
That night I stayed in Basin again, got breakfast Thursday morning in Boulder and spent the afternoon with the kids at Basin school.
Basin Elementary: one of the prettiest little schools in the state.
Above the Art Mobile strongboxes, which contain art from our lovely loaning artists, you can see the rope hanging from the bell tower, all the way from multiple stories above!
At Basin school we made cyanotyopes, which is a type of art made with light-sensitive paper. Because of a sudden snowfall, the project didn't turn out perfect for everybody! As soon as I could, I took off before the roads got bad.
That night I went to Anaconda, where I stayed in an inn downtown and visited the brewery and Donivan's, a very nice restaurant with a very good burger. The next day -- GARRISON!
Its always fun to revisit schools. I remembered a lot of the kids from last year, and was delighted to see Debra Crow again. Her students are amazingly smart and well-behaved.
As is the same in Basin, and other small schools (both have only 16 students), the older kids have the added responsibility of being helpers for the younger ones. A lot is expected of everyone, to pitch in, teach a little, and be patient while the teacher is with others. What a fascinating way to be educated!
That night I went to Anaconda, where I stayed in an inn downtown and visited the brewery and Donivan's, a very nice restaurant with a very good burger. The next day -- GARRISON!
Its always fun to revisit schools. I remembered a lot of the kids from last year, and was delighted to see Debra Crow again. Her students are amazingly smart and well-behaved.
As is the same in Basin, and other small schools (both have only 16 students), the older kids have the added responsibility of being helpers for the younger ones. A lot is expected of everyone, to pitch in, teach a little, and be patient while the teacher is with others. What a fascinating way to be educated!
The Art Mobile in Garrison's school gym.
As always, Garrison students contributed beautiful to our art discussion, showing intelligence and critical thinking skills above their years. When the Art Mobile visits a school regularly, you notice a keen ability to have these complicated conversations more easily. This aids in their life, not just in art but in all areas.
Girls from Garrison school hold their cyanotypes so the sun can hit them. Light-sensitive paper under clear scratch-art create beautiful products -- it's photojournalism, block printing, and a science lesson all at once!
Debra Ray and her wonderful kiddos wish me farewell at the end of a productive day!
Garrison school was an amazing way to finish out my week. Thank you to Cascade's Christa Hardy, Montana City's Cori Trudeau, Basin's Allyson Alexander and of course Debra Ray of Garrison for all your amazing support!
Xoxo
Tess Fahlgren, Teaching Artist for the Art Mobile of Montana
Xoxo
Tess Fahlgren, Teaching Artist for the Art Mobile of Montana
