Our first month of TOSS has been quite eventful.
TOSSafters:
Sept 14th was the first day of our after school studio. We have recruited 24 gloriously creative TOSSafters (After-school studio students) and have been working consecutively for 4 weeks on navigating the studio-artist's life: This means learning about Art Thinking, Art Making, and Art Stewardship. We want our studio friends to understand what it means to generate creativity, make with courage, and economize their art work.
TOSSresis:
The TOSSresis (Artists in Residency) have been hard at work designing the TOSSAfters' studio program, but have been making and sharing their art as well:
+ Sept 1st Ervin designed a traveling sketch book project to be shared around the world (with original sketch books compiled by New Dimensions Charter School Students). The two books are currently abroad in Orebro, Sweden and Georgia, USA.
+Sept 12th Lowther had a reception for her watercolor paintings at the behest of Susan Pollpeter for the Burke Women's Fund. Donations were accepted for the After's program.
+Sept 19th Ervin led a community mural project and had a closing reception for her show, "Hunters Retrospect" In Lake City, SC.
+ Sept 26th Ervin and Lowther teamed up to create a community art piece for the Revolutionary War Week at the behest of the Historic Burke Foundation.
+ Oct 2nd: Ervin and Lowther took a road trip to a Reggio Emillia inspired preschool in Greenville, NC to gain insight on studio practice and set up.
+Sept/Oct: Lowther and Ervin being studio work for their next big event: TOSS' very first exhibit, slated for November.
So What's Coming up next?
We have the honor of putting up the very first art exhibit at Grace Hospital. Our opening reception, which will be work from the Resis and the Afters, will be November 10th. Keep an eye on your inboxes as we shall send out invites as soon as we have them! (WAHOO YAHOO!) This event will be a fundraising effort for our studio practice.
A BIG thanks to our TOSSers this month:
TOSSers are advocates who are instrumental in promoting our ability to develop art resources for Burke County. Check out the ways individuals have been helping in September:
+International Artist Vassiliki Falkehag paid TOSS a visit, giving invaluable advice and support to the TOSSresis.
+ Local Artist Sterling Lieske generously gave TOSS art supply donations, lent a hand in collaborative art making during the Revolutionary War week, and invaluable support.
+ Elmer's Products Inc.- let talk about donations.... too incredible and innumerable to really believe...what an incredible support for our TOSSafter program! Let's just say Elmers gave us some glue.
Our supporters and advocates are too many to name, but I am going to try, just to say thank you:
+ Burke Arts Council Director, Deborah Jones: For advocating for our program, helping our dream to become a reality.
+ FIPP Director, M'Lisa Sheldon, PT, Ph.D.: For great inspiration and support.
+ Education consultant: Melinda Davis, Ph.D.: For the excruciating labor of editing initial grant drafts and reviewing our TOSSafter program research documentation.
+Education Consultant Susan Pollpeter: Without Susan the world might stop spinning, so thankfully we have her here in Morganton with us.
+Education Advocate: Jan Stephanides, for steering TOSS out of ambiguous narrative into a clearer sense of purpose and design.
Community Foundation Director, Nancy Taylor: For answering my email in July and getting this whole wild adventure started. Thank you Nancy.
Check back regularly for updates or visit our instagram page for weekly pictures of our TOSS activities.
Cheers, and Happy Making.
