Bay School News

Art-to-Go with Lisa Leavell May 20 2020, 1 Comment

Sharing art with our community is what we are all about.  This is what inspired us to create our take-home art kits with Art-to-Go.

Each week while schools are closed and through the summer, we will put out new art kits. They will cover different materials, methods, and age groups. We will work up to having quick lessons in some of our kits. Some will have a video link for demonstrations. 

Photos, materials lists, and instructions will be made available for families who have lots of supplies at home and don't need to pick up the kits.  Use this link, https://www.bayschool-arts.com/  , to go to our website and then scroll down to find instructions for kits we have already distributed.  This list will be updated as we add more kits.

Have fun, be creative, and show us what you made! You can post pictures of your completed crafts on the Bay School Facebook page or email them to makeart@bayschool-arts.com. We will share them here!

We need some help to make this happen. We are paying our teaching artists to create the kits and our staff to keep them flowing to you. You can help out by donating here. Every little bit helps, and you have our thanks!!!

Lisa Leavell is one of our teaching artists that is creating some of these kits.  We asked Lisa a few questions about this program.

 

How different is art-to-go from teaching classes?  Art to go is a whole different animal for a variety of reasons. I am limited to the projects where I can gather all the supplies from the classroom and have to rely on the student having necessary supplies like glue, tape, markers etc that we are unable to send home in each kit. Writing directions in a manner in which the kids can understand the steps and directions to a project can also be very time consuming, something I do not have to consider when doing a class face to face with students. It has also been really different not being able to see the creative process as I can when I am teaching them on site. I am always amazed at the uniqueness of each individuals project given the same assignment they all put their creative flair into it and make it their own and that is a very rewarding part of teaching. 

How do you see this changing the way you teach in the future?  Honestly it truly is making me appreciate the time I have with them in class. You don't necessarily connect and bond with every student but the possibility is there and for me connection with the students is a huge part of teaching. My desire is not only to provide a time and space for them to be creative but to also get them thinking a bit deeper about the world around them and how they relate to it. I love the opportunity to have a positive and encouraging voice in their lives. 

Do you have any creative advice for those in quarantine?  My advice would be to expand your creativity and have a "use what you have" mindset. If we look around our homes, our yards and our neighborhoods we can find all sort of materials that we could use creatively. The more we use our creativity the more it continues to grow and unfold. I talk to people all the time that tell me "I don't have a creative bone in my body." To these folks I always say, "take one step and begin to do something creative and you will find an untapped well of creativity inside of you." We all have it. It doesn't all look the same, but it's there. The one thing that I have enjoyed thinking about while putting together these kits is families sitting around a table being creative together, we all need to pull away from the news, our phones and our work and take time to decompress and creativity is a powerful tool for that. 

My advice during this unprecedented time in our lives would be to encourage your kids in a journaling process and to begin one yourself. Even very young kids can start a picture journal about their feelings, about what they are grateful for, what might be making them sad, or happy, or afraid. It is a great time to get kids talking and sharing.  

                     

 


Teacher Update - Nan Rothwell, Ceramic Artist May 13 2020, 0 Comments

We asked our teachers what they have been doing during the quarantine

Nan was set to attend a show in Richmond in March that was to coincide with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).  Not long after she was finished setting up the conference was cancelled and the gallery was closed.

        

 

From Nan:  I have been selling a few pots to people who saw photos of that show and wrote to ask about buying them.  It's been great!  A real relief, given that my normal outlets for selling have shut.   If anyone is interested, I am happy to send snapshots, dimensions and prices of the pots here. 

                                    

 

For more info on Nan you can visit http://www.nanrothwellpottery.com.  You will find resource information and links to several short demos.

Check out Nan's online store https://nan-rothwell-pottery.square.site/  During May Nan will be contributing 30% of online sales to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank https://www.brafb.org/

Nan is also teaching online.  Her courses can be seen here  https://www.teachinart.com/take-your-throwing-to-the-next-level.html

You can also find Nan on Facebook   facebook.com/NanRothwellPottery/

Nan's preferred email contact is nan@nanrothwellpottery.com

 


Teacher Update - Kathleen Noffsinger, Painter April 29 2020, 1 Comment

We asked our teachers what they have been doing during the quarantine

Just Another Ordinary Day:  Kathleen Noffsinger

 

As I try to inspire my creative self while self-isolating during Covid-19, I remind myself that I now have lots of time to paint!  So why is my time spent doing other things?  Well it’s because I cannot seem to actually open my palette.  Instead, I am “organizing” my studio, planting my garden with flowers to photograph and paint and forgiving myself when I do nothing at all.  I have read 4 novels and revisited all of my gardening books and favorite online gardening websites.  Thankfully, I can keep up with my weekly watercolor class through our new private Facebook page!  Yes, I give them lessons and homework and they call it Noffsinger University!  I look forward to actually seeing my students in person and teaching classes and workshops again … I miss my artist friends!

 

I am spending lovely afternoons on our dock with my husband, Tom, feeding our freshwater fish, our pair of Canada geese (Clyde and Penelope who are expecting their goslings to hatch any day) and enjoying the antics of our resident Great Blue Heron, whom we have just named Willie Nelson to make life in isolation more fun.  Willie enjoys the pleasures of fishing as much as Tom does!  With my camera in hand I photograph Willie as he gives me new compositional ideas for my Heron paintings! 

 

On my easel and my newest work-in-progress is “Just Another Ordinary Day”, 24” x 24”, Oil and Cold Wax Medium - A huge butterfly on an osprey nest!  I hope to finish it by the end of April.  And I am excited to share the news that my new oil painting “Flamingo Party” has been juried into the Art Speaks 2020 show coming soon to the Bay School gallery.   

 

 

  

 

I will be posting updates on classes, shows, new paintings and prints on my website at www.kathleennoffsinger.com and I invite you to visit and leave a comment on the contact page.  If you are in the market for a new painting or commissioned artwork, I would be happy to talk with you about your ideas!  And no matter how you are spending your isolation, I hope you stay healthy and have as much fun as possible!  Here’s to a very happy and joyful Spring! 

Use this link https://bayschoolarts.asapconnected.com/StaffDetails.aspx?pk=70075 to check out the great classes Kathleen will be offering at the Bay School.

 Use this link https://www.bayschool-arts.com/collections/kathleen-noffsinger to see the artwork Kathleen has in our galery.


Teacher Update - Cynthia Quesenberry, Metal Clay Artist April 15 2020, 0 Comments

We asked our teachers what they have been doing during the quarantine 

Before the corona virus pandemic, I was working as a full-time Art Teacher for Suffolk Public Schools, and had several Silver and Copper classes on my calendar from March through December.  Now the Public Schools are closed, metal clay classes are cancelled through May (and probably will be for June too)…sigh.  I miss my elementary school students and the enjoyment of teaching metal clay classes.  I tearfully took all my bags of metal clay supplies, and several kilns to my backyard studio for storage.  Will just have to wait this out.  I will be so happy to return to the Bay School when this is all over.

What I am doing now:  I am still employed, and spend my days checking emails and answering questions that come up through the school system.  I have a Google Classroom for Art and I post lessons, You Tube videos and Kahoot activities to my students who have access to a computer.  I’m on my fourth week of this and it’s no fun.

What I am Working on Now:

In January of this year (pre-pandemic) I was fortunate to take a silver clay class with Master Artist Lora Hart.  That was a real treat.  The challenge was to construct a hollow form inspired by ancient amphorae.  Think of the shape of a Greek urn…only jewelry sized…

The technique was very challenging.  I built my form over a solid base, cut it off of the base in two pieces, and put it back together.  That alone was a true challenge.  Once I did all of that, I faced another challenge to design/ decorate it, build a lid, and design a way to make it wearable.  Not sure if this will be a wearable piece, or a fancy vessel…. It is not finished…Ideas?

Cindy is offering some great classes at the Bay School!  Use this link to see what she has on our calendar through the end of the year.  https://bayschoolarts.asapconnected.com/StaffDetails.aspx?pk=70078

See some of Cindy's beautiful work in our gallery with this linkhttps://www.bayschool-arts.com/collections/precious-metal-clay-jewelry-by-cynthia-quesenberry


Teacher Profile - Janice Moore July 31 2017, 0 Comments

Janice Moore began teaching classes at the Bay School in 2013.  Her next class, Tofu Like You've Never Tasted Before, will be Wednesday, Oct 11 10am - 1pm.  In class she will cook some fabulous dishes for your lunch, including ravioli!! And she will prepare a delicious dessert that looks and feels and tastes like ice cream, but it’s made out of tofu!

 

Janice is a lawyer by vocation, a cook and gardener by avocation.  Now a resident of Deltaville, VA, she has been cooking with tofu for almost 20 years, after deciding that the estrogen benefits would be worth the effort to learn about this mysterious protein- and estrogen-packed ingredient.  Janice learned about cooking with tofu from lots of research, travels to Asia, friendly Thai restaurant chefs and lots of trial and error cooking for her very patient friends and family.

A few questions to Janice:

What made you start teaching?

Valerie Adams and Grace Small did!!  Seriously, the Bay School needed new culinary courses, and Valerie talked to me about teaching when I was attending one of her classes.  

 

What do you get out of teaching?

I"m always thrilled to introduce people to new ideas about cooking and sometimes new foods, and I always learn something, too.  The tofu classes have been especially good for this, because so many people are curious about cooking with tofu but don't know where to start, and they ask lots of good questions.  The Farm to Table classes have also introduced people to new ways to prepare fresh produce, and it's especially nice to have Julia Dorsey from First Day Farm to tell all of us about her farming methods and the vegetables she grows.

 

 

 

Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you.

I like building things out of wood, and I have lots of tools in my garage workshop -- a drill press and a nail gun, for example.  I am by no means an accomplished wood worker, but I like learning about it and making simple things like the benches in my garden.

 

 

 

 

 


Hard Work, Small Dreams: Bentwaters Farm June 16 2017, 2 Comments

 Off the beaten path and nestled on the shores of where Pepper Creek and the Mobjack meet, Larry and Rosalie Brown have built a flourishing farm out of hard work and dreams. Their white farmhouse rises from the marsh to greet you with all of the charm and humility only found in times gone by. The farmhouse was built around 1895 by one of the Armisteads, a group of brothers who built each other’s homes. It then changed hands to the parents of Paul Blanock, former Commonwealth Attorney, and in 1980 was purchased by the Browns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A romance story of the truest kind, Larry was serving in the Air Force, stationed in England, when he met Rosalie, a children’s nanny. The two soon fell in love and he whisked her away to the United States, settling in Gloucester and later relocating to Mathews. Rosalie had always dreamed of living on a farm, “Growing up in England, I’d always wanted to be a children’s nanny or a farmer, and I was a children’s nanny for a number of years. When we came here, I just knew I was going to get sheep. My father and mother were alive at that time, dad went with me to get sheep and that just started it.” Having been exposed to the processes of spinning, knitting and weaving in her childhood, the progression to raising sheep for the production of wool was a natural one. For Larry, growing up in Hampton and a self-proclaimed “gear head”, the farm life offered a chance for him to return to his roots, as farming ran in both sides of his family lineage.

 

 

From a small dream, blossomed Bentwaters Farm and the promise of a simpler life. The Browns soon evolved from raising Dorset and Hampshire sheep, which are mainly used for meat, to raising sheep for the production of fine wool and wool products, which are handmade and dyed onsite. Over the years, their farm has expanded to include Dwarf Nigerian goats, English Angora rabbits, a bevy of chickens, Guinea hens, quail, a llama and bees.

                          

Their love for their craft is evident, not only in the way they speak about what they do, but also in their passion to pass on their trade, both having taught in one capacity or another. Rosalie teaches a number of classes from dying to felting at The Bay School Community Arts Center, in Mathews and Rosalie and Larry have both done educational presentations at a number of historical sites in Williamsburg in addition to the programming conducted by Colonial Williamsburg.

                          

The Browns have a deep and abiding love and respect for their animals that is apparent when wandering the property. When Rosalie walks among the goats and sheep, she calls each one by name and stops to visit with them for a while, often stopping to play with the young kids.

                           

Bentwaters Farm is a member of the Middle Peninsula Artisan Trail and is open to visitors seeking to experience the hands on process of wool production. For more information or to visit Bentwaters Farm for yourself, visit their website: http://bentwatersfarm.webs.com: 


Teacher Profile - Bobbie Skerrett March 08 2017, 0 Comments

Bobbie Skerrett has been involved with the Bay School for the past 3 years.  Her next class, Clay Relief Tiles, is on Thursdays, March 23 & 30 6pm - 9pm.

 

Bobbie attended the University of Colorado from 1969 to 1971.  After that she spent time at the Feminist Studio Workshop in Los Angeles, CA.  She also taken classes at the Penland School of Crafts in Pendland, NC.  From 1998 - 2002 Bobbie sold her work at the oldest farmers market in the country in Olde Town Alexandria.  Bobbie is currently a member of the Pottery Studio at the Bay School.

 

A few questions to Bobbie:

What made you start teaching?

 I started teaching wheel throwing because I wanted the students to see how fun it was to move the clay.

What do you get out of teaching?

There's an expression that takes place in the class room when people catch on to what they are being told and run with it.  It is inspiring to watch students discover something new and find a connection.

 Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you.

Something people would probably be shocked to learn about me is that I do feminist art.


Teacher Profile - Rita Cutler January 30 2017, 1 Comment

Rita Cutler has been teaching classes at the Bay School since 2002.  Her next class, Beginner Rug Hooking , is on Saturday, Feb 11 10am - 3pm.  Register early to secure your spot!

 

Rita has revived the art of primitive and homespun rug hooking. She is the owner of the Primitively Hooked Studio in Mathews County. Rita combines traditional and new motifs with unique and striking color schemes.

 

A few questions to Rita:

 

What made you start teaching?

I love working with my hands and I love color and texture.  Therefore the art of rug hooking has always appealed to me.  I searched for someone who could teach me this old craft/art for many years while living in Va. Beach and continued the search when we moved to Mathews 20 years ago.  Finally my persistence paid off and I have been hooking now for 18 or so years.  When Wendy Wells approached me about teaching hooking at the Bay School I immediately said yes! I felt it was a small step in saving this beautiful old craft.

 

What do you get out of teaching?

I love teaching because again it helps to carry on the craft and I love seeing what my students will create.  Each piece is always unique and I love seeing each persons take on it.  At the end of the day I love walking away knowing that there are a group of new hookers out there!

 


Teacher Profile - Doris Hackworth January 02 2017, 0 Comments

Doris Hackworth has been teaching pottery classes at the Bay School since 2014.  Her next class, Beginner Wheel Throwing, is on Saturday, Jan 28; Feb 4, 11, & 18 from 1pm - 4pm.  Register early to secure your spot!

 

Doris Hackworth discovered the joy of wheel thrown pottery in 1981 through community college ceramics classes in CA. Nearly 30 years later in 2009, she took to the wheel again and has been taking classes ever since at the Bay School, the Visual Arts Center in Richmond, Nan Rothwell Pottery in Charlottesville, The Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen, and the John C. Campbell Folk Art School in NC. Doris’ emphasis is on form and function. She loves making pots that have a job.

A few questions to Doris:

What made you start teaching?

I have always been a teacher in my heart.

 

 

 What do you get out of teaching?

I take huge satisfaction in promoting the joy of handmade pottery and being a part of adults finding a creative outlet they enjoy.

Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you.

You might be surprised to know that I taught community college biology for a while and also worked for a language school teaching English to German speakers.

 


Outreach Programs 2016-2017 October 12 2016, 0 Comments

With the 2016-17 school year in full swing, the Bay School Outreach Programs have hit their stride. We've adjusted the scheduling of some classes and added an additional Outreach Instructor in order to best serve our community. 

The Bay School proudly welcomes Steph Brown back to our Outreach Program team! Steph has worked with the Bay School for years, offering classes to adults in a variety of media in addition to running our Free Weeks of Art throughout the summer. Steph will be taking over our YMCA Program, half of the programming at The  Active Lifestyles Center and half at The Mathews Riverside Convalescent Center. Creativity and compassion flow freely when Steph is teaching and she makes a wonderful addition to the team!

Virginia Coyle is continuing with her programs at Mathews Riverside Convalescent Center, The Puller Center, The Active Lifestyles Center, Kingston Parish and Head Start.

       

In addition to her duties as Outreach Coordinator, Saraya Cheney, has taken on the role of Gallery Coordinator for The Art Speaks Gallery at The Bay School. She will continue to teach many of our ongoing Outreach Programs (Laurel Shelter in Gloucester, Brambles Day Support, THMS Special Education, LJES Special Education, Coastal Christian Homeschool Co-Op, SAIL Program at THMS, Teen Open Studio, OpenArts After School) in addition to developing some of our newest programs this year.

We truly do our best to meet the creative needs of all members within our community. If you feel that there are additional ways that we can provide support within Mathews or Gloucester, please do not hesitate to let us know. We love hearing how we can support and enrich the lives of those in our area.

For additional information on our Outreach Programs, questions or suggestions, call or email Saraya Cheney, Outreach Coordinator: scheney@bayschool-arts.com.